RE: McLaren MP4-12C Set For Take-Off
Discussion
Why such effort on disguising the car if its going to be 'a bit bland' I wonder......?
Like getting a girl out of a tight top and wonderbra, only to find a pair of saggy 'b' cups underneath....
its got to have something special, some unique 'signature' design, to warrant a 'McLaren' name, doesnt it? scissor doors just not special enough anymore......
Like getting a girl out of a tight top and wonderbra, only to find a pair of saggy 'b' cups underneath....
its got to have something special, some unique 'signature' design, to warrant a 'McLaren' name, doesnt it? scissor doors just not special enough anymore......
I'm really looking forward to finding out more about this car and I hope it's as good as Ron Dennis claims.
With regards to the doors, in the Sunday Times it was stated that they would be 'gull-wing' style and not scissor. As with others, I'm not sure of any technical advantage, but I thought it was worth pointing out as the two styles of doors are very different.
With regards to the doors, in the Sunday Times it was stated that they would be 'gull-wing' style and not scissor. As with others, I'm not sure of any technical advantage, but I thought it was worth pointing out as the two styles of doors are very different.
Edited by KrissJ on Monday 7th September 13:10
I can't understand why they've chosen "MP4/12C". By rights that name would apply to the third evolution of their 1997 F1 car ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_MP4/12 ).
Wasn't anything wrong with "P11" IMO. But then, I still think 'Revolution' was a better name than 'Wii' and call things Opal Fruits.
Bit of a limp attempt to steal the F458's publicity though. They know full well that the new Ferrari will be the star of the show, so why not stay quiet for a few months until the noise dies down?
Wasn't anything wrong with "P11" IMO. But then, I still think 'Revolution' was a better name than 'Wii' and call things Opal Fruits.
Bit of a limp attempt to steal the F458's publicity though. They know full well that the new Ferrari will be the star of the show, so why not stay quiet for a few months until the noise dies down?
Established 1984 said:
Mat Hammond said:
And I am sure the engineering/tech is way way beyond the Lotus.
You clearly no nothing about what Lotus Engineering do...Fittster said:
Established 1984 said:
Mat Hammond said:
And I am sure the engineering/tech is way way beyond the Lotus.
You clearly no nothing about what Lotus Engineering do...Totally agreed with the above! What are they doing!!!! WHY WHY WHY
This is a company perfectly placed, with perfect credibility, superb racing history and a fresh bankroll released from F1 ties capable of creating a GENUINE British challenge to the Porsche 911!
If they were to bring out a similarly priced/similarly capable car to the 911 (which I liked the look of enough to see it on my driveway) I'd buy one over the 911 any day. It would be that bit different and more special. British!
I'm confident they could not only sell healthy numbers but give themselves a solid launch pad into the mass market as a respected sports car manufacturer.
WHY are they ruining this opportunity with a watered down, too bland to be a supercar / too expensive to be a 911 rival or mass market sports car with another technical showcase that will only serve to muddy their reputation and make future launches more difficult.
They are setting themselves up for a failure! I can see this as a car fan, as a potential customer, as a man with a childish steak who want to see something new British and beautiful out there.. every part of me knows this is wrong!
If they substituted the rare materials and no doubt ridiculously complex engineering designs for materials with 90% of the abilities/properties but which cost 10% of the price. If they used just a few more simple and traditional methods which work and don't need changing and stuck to a limited number of their favourite innovations then they could really seriously pull this off and produce a £75,000 entry level supercar that would sell like hot cakes! I’m certain of it!
The trouble with car designers now is when they sit looking at the figures on a computer screen.. the figures are EVERYTHING! Its so tempting to use the best possible bits for their new baby, why use aluminium when Titanium is half the weight and takes twice the heat! But taking a step back, realising that aluminium adequately serves its purpose as that small part, having someone like a quantity surveyor look through it first who will assess these costs and suggest where in practice / on the road and track a more cost effective part will do the same job perfectly for a fraction of the cost would be the difference between another ill placed attempt at a quasi-supercar / overpriced British sports car and a real marketable product!
I’m sorry this has become a huge rant but it’s just so frustrating to see such an amazing opportunity for a genuine British entry into the sports car market ruined by people blinded by one mans hopes and dreams! It wont work and it makes me very sad to see it. They won’t be in this position again.
This is a company perfectly placed, with perfect credibility, superb racing history and a fresh bankroll released from F1 ties capable of creating a GENUINE British challenge to the Porsche 911!
If they were to bring out a similarly priced/similarly capable car to the 911 (which I liked the look of enough to see it on my driveway) I'd buy one over the 911 any day. It would be that bit different and more special. British!
I'm confident they could not only sell healthy numbers but give themselves a solid launch pad into the mass market as a respected sports car manufacturer.
WHY are they ruining this opportunity with a watered down, too bland to be a supercar / too expensive to be a 911 rival or mass market sports car with another technical showcase that will only serve to muddy their reputation and make future launches more difficult.
They are setting themselves up for a failure! I can see this as a car fan, as a potential customer, as a man with a childish steak who want to see something new British and beautiful out there.. every part of me knows this is wrong!
If they substituted the rare materials and no doubt ridiculously complex engineering designs for materials with 90% of the abilities/properties but which cost 10% of the price. If they used just a few more simple and traditional methods which work and don't need changing and stuck to a limited number of their favourite innovations then they could really seriously pull this off and produce a £75,000 entry level supercar that would sell like hot cakes! I’m certain of it!
The trouble with car designers now is when they sit looking at the figures on a computer screen.. the figures are EVERYTHING! Its so tempting to use the best possible bits for their new baby, why use aluminium when Titanium is half the weight and takes twice the heat! But taking a step back, realising that aluminium adequately serves its purpose as that small part, having someone like a quantity surveyor look through it first who will assess these costs and suggest where in practice / on the road and track a more cost effective part will do the same job perfectly for a fraction of the cost would be the difference between another ill placed attempt at a quasi-supercar / overpriced British sports car and a real marketable product!
I’m sorry this has become a huge rant but it’s just so frustrating to see such an amazing opportunity for a genuine British entry into the sports car market ruined by people blinded by one mans hopes and dreams! It wont work and it makes me very sad to see it. They won’t be in this position again.
Edited by Niffty951 on Monday 7th September 13:22
AUDIHenry said:
Terrible time to launch a car, though. 
Why?Steady market increase and strong 'recovery' signs suggest that 2011 is a PERFECT time to release a car like that. Not mega-priced, but enough to tempt those who are sticking their heads up over the edge of the CC bunker and enjoying themselves again.
Edited by PhantomPH on Monday 7th September 13:25
Fittster said:
Where are Lotus getting the engine for the new Esprit?
I think the nature of their partnership with Toyota means they get to take their pick when it comes to Toyota components, so the flagship Esprit could end up with whatever engine they're sticking in the LFA.Edited by Risotto on Monday 7th September 13:29
Niffty951 said:
If they substituted the rare materials and no doubt ridiculously complex engineering designs for materials with 90% of the abilities/properties but which cost 10% of the price. If they used just a few more simple and traditional methods which work and don't need changing and stuck to a limited number of their favourite innovations then they could really seriously pull this off and produce a £75,000 entry level supercar that would sell like hot cakes! I’m certain of it!
Put a business case together than and start your own company. I'd be happy to see such a product, although I can't afford it myself.McLaren have access to the market knowledge of one of the biggest groups in the world, certainly in the premium sector: Mercedes owns 40% of McLaren. I suspect that they know a few things about what people who have £150k to spend on a car might be looking for, and are looking for that niche.
As the man says... "Ah'm oot."
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff