650S drive

[mpbcs]

Today I had the pleasure of test driving the new 650S near brands hatch. I thought I'd give a brief review.

The big differences when driving it are the low down torque, brake and steering feel and better nvh. The 12c is already extremely rapid, but the 650S moves this on with significantly more torque from about 2-3000rpm, enough to get the back moving on slightly damp roads in 3rd and 4th... The top end is similar though. The turbo noise is also more extreme with a more pronounced spooling sound. The now standard ceramics are much easier to modulate and there is a less sudden retardation at the top of the pedal so you can use them more smoothly. The steering is quicker but also heavier. This could be partly to do with the wider fronts but I'm not sure the weighting is an improvement for me, though the quicker rack is.

The front end feels a touch more 'direct' and turns in a little nicer and there appears to be more slip angle in sport when pushing through corners. I'd like a longer drive on roads I know to really spot the handling differences though.

The car I tried had the optional P1 buckets ( which I will spec) and although they were a snug fit they really added a sense of occasion and addressed the fact that the 12c seats allow too much movement on circuit. They look v v cool too with the carbon backs.

Overall the car felt 'tighter' than my 12C and a beautifully resolved product....

Thanks to the Mclaren team for organising the test drive, a great group of car enthusiasts too!

Roll on my September delivery, can't wait!

[GRBF430F1]

Sounds like a good improvement and I prefer the front end look.

Apart from turbo spooling what does the overall sound and exhaust note sound like and does the car feel to have more soul about it ?

[mpbcs]

The sound is more old Skool turbo (which I like) but I am used to sports exhaust and the demo cars had standard exhausts, so hard to compare. It is never going to sound like a n/a car but it was certainly emotional. I always found the Mclaren a car that you grow with, so unlike a 458 that plays all it's cards in the first few miles, you have to spend time with it let it get truly under your skin.. But when it does (as I found) there is a huge breadth of talent and a real connection. I think the looks are more cohesive too, and there is definite P1 about it, especially from a distance.

I am very much sold on the brand and think the 650S is definitely a step in the right direction.

[Radders]

Great review.

[hazy]

mpbcs said:

I always found the Mclaren a car that you grow with, so unlike a 458 that plays all it's cards in the first few miles, you have to spend time with it let it get truly under your skin.. But when it does (as I found) there is a huge breadth of talent and a real connection. .

This is so so true, the 458 grabs your attention immediately with the noise and urgency of the NA engine, but the 12C really is a car that you grow into, I absolutely love mine

[LukeyLikey]

hazy said:

This is so so true, the 458 grabs your attention immediately with the noise and urgency of the NA engine, but the 12C really is a car that you grow into, I absolutely love mine

Have to second that. The 12C is certainly a brilliant thing. Not only do you have ballistic acceleration (honestly, it is a bit shocking the first time you experience it) but you have a chassis that can control it and that you can connect well with. It has great feel.

[GRBF430F1]

hazy said:

This is so so true, the 458 grabs your attention immediately with the noise and urgency of the NA engine, but the 12C really is a car that you grow into, I absolutely love mine

More than a 458 ?

I'm now considering adding a 12C spider or Scuderia to my small collection. Would of loved to have gone 458 spider but can't extend budget that far this year.

Does 12C spider add or detract from McLaren experience ?

[isaldiri]

mpbcs said:

The steering is quicker but also heavier. This could be partly to do with the wider fronts but I'm not sure the weighting is an improvement for me, though the quicker rack is.

The front end feels a touch more 'direct' and turns in a little nicer and there appears to be more slip angle in sport when pushing through corners. I'd like a longer drive on roads I know to really spot the handling differences though.

Interesting to read your thoughts thanks. Just one thing if I could ask.. is the 650 really running wider front tyres than the 12C? that would be a very welcome change as the 12C front tyres are pretty narrow and they get pretty abused on track and I have had quite a few issues keeping the front pressures/temps under control. A couple of people who are far better drivers than me have commented the car would be potentially be a decent amount better with a slightly wider front.

[mpbcs]

isaldiri said:

Interesting to read your thoughts thanks. Just one thing if I could ask.. is the 650 really running wider front tyres than the 12C? that would be a very welcome change as the 12C front tyres are pretty narrow and they get pretty abused on track and I have had quite a few issues keeping the front pressures/temps under control. A couple of people who are far better drivers than me have commented the car would be potentially be a decent amount better with a slightly wider front.

I cant be certain but I remember reading something about wider fronts and it did turn in better. Interesting reviews out this morning, they seem to agree with my initial thoughts and also it appears to be much improved on circuit (somewhere I didn't get to try it).

[WCZ]

I'm slightly worried about residuals tbh

[isaldiri]

mpbcs said:

I cant be certain but I remember reading something about wider fronts and it did turn in better. Interesting reviews out this morning, they seem to agree with my initial thoughts and also it appears to be much improved on circuit (somewhere I didn't get to try it).

Just a quick update assuming there is any interest. Had the chance to have a go in the london demo car recently - the fronts on the 650 are still the same size as on the 12C, 235/35 19s. However I did read some blurb on one of the reviews about a slightly larger contact patch and I'm reasonably certain that the tread pattern on the 650 corsa tyre was different to the older mc1 corsa tyre I had on.

Apart from that, largely found as you did. the car has improved on an already very good car and is disturbingly quick. Compared to an early-ish build 12C the 650 seems bolted together rather a good bit better (tighter as you said) and the extra torque is very noticeable although I'm not really a big fan of the added wastegate noise. The suspension seems to have been quite significantly firmed up and overall the front of the car is definitely more precise than the 12C (which wasn't exactly lacking in that department...). Brakes are really good, Porsche PCCB good which is as high praise as I can think of.

All in, a very impressive car although I still maintain it retains much of the overall character of the 12C albeit improved in many areas. Not personally convinced the extra performance will necessarily swing the car in favour of a 458 for those who would previously have favoured a 458 over the 12C though and I do find some of the newfound raving about the 650S from some reviewers a bit unusual given the reception the 12C got....