MP4-12C photos and review/comparison
Discussion
MP4 said:
Good point about allocation but I believe that the USA and Emirates will have a major effect
Tim glad the dealer treated you well i have been very pleased with London (Lancaster) BUT Tim these cars are computers on wheels - upgrade means the car is the current generation and will remain so for the 3 year warranty period
You're admirable for being so positive with regard to the 12c.Tim glad the dealer treated you well i have been very pleased with London (Lancaster) BUT Tim these cars are computers on wheels - upgrade means the car is the current generation and will remain so for the 3 year warranty period
I really want McLaren to come good with the 12C, but I think there will be a Gen2 in time because the market will demand it.
And when you say that its a computer on wheels? Well that could been seen as a problem because computer technology is moving ahead so fast that the current Iris thing inside could be outdated in no time, divulging that it runs some form of Windows doesn't inspire.
Its a bit like saying that your car is safe because its fitted with an iPhone 4.
Sure the car's systems and current nav etc can easily be patched with updates etc, but I think its just a minor aspect of the overall package.
It won't be long before Lamborghini have the new Gallardo, Porsche have the new super car between the 911 & 918 Spyder and of course a 458 Scud, choice is becoming ever more difficult!!
MP4 said:
And when you say that its a computer on wheels? Well that could been seen as a problem because computer technology is moving ahead so fast that the current Iris thing inside could be outdated in no time, divulging that it runs some form of Windows doesn't inspire.
Its a bit like saying that your car is safe because its fitted with an iPhone 4.
Sure the car's systems and current nav etc can easily be patched with updates etc, but I think its just a minor aspect of the overall package.
...It probably would if it was running in iOS, but if it really is sitting on Windows then only God can help them. Its a bit like saying that your car is safe because its fitted with an iPhone 4.
Sure the car's systems and current nav etc can easily be patched with updates etc, but I think its just a minor aspect of the overall package.
I was a Microsoft fanboy until I saw this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGvHNNOLnCk
Here's the remixed version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozTtfgEvskc
For some reason there are those that are determined to write down 12c
I took mine to Snetterton today on the Ronald McDonald Charity Trackday
Let me tell you the reception the car got from Race Drivers ,Performance Car owners and the Public was incredible
The car is a tart - the most photographed car I have ever seen - if there had been an Enzo there it would not have received any more positive comment
This is probably because it looks dull, has a boring soundtrack, is slow compared to a Nissan Micra and is boring and has no soul as well as bad panel fit, poor paint quality and all that bull
I took mine to Snetterton today on the Ronald McDonald Charity Trackday
Let me tell you the reception the car got from Race Drivers ,Performance Car owners and the Public was incredible
The car is a tart - the most photographed car I have ever seen - if there had been an Enzo there it would not have received any more positive comment
This is probably because it looks dull, has a boring soundtrack, is slow compared to a Nissan Micra and is boring and has no soul as well as bad panel fit, poor paint quality and all that bull
MP4 said:
For some reason there are those that are determined to write down 12c
I took mine to Snetterton today on the Ronald McDonald Charity Trackday
Let me tell you the reception the car got from Race Drivers ,Performance Car owners and the Public was incredible
The car is a tart - the most photographed car I have ever seen - if there had been an Enzo there it would not have received any more positive comment
This is probably because it looks dull, has a boring soundtrack, is slow compared to a Nissan Micra and is boring and has no soul as well as bad panel fit, poor paint quality and all that bull
I took mine to Snetterton today on the Ronald McDonald Charity Trackday
Let me tell you the reception the car got from Race Drivers ,Performance Car owners and the Public was incredible
The car is a tart - the most photographed car I have ever seen - if there had been an Enzo there it would not have received any more positive comment
This is probably because it looks dull, has a boring soundtrack, is slow compared to a Nissan Micra and is boring and has no soul as well as bad panel fit, poor paint quality and all that bull
Thanks for posting Ron.
markbe said:
I think an update from Matt, about his and his partners car would be
more clarifying at this point.
Mark.
I read the whole thread with interest last night (since my last post in here was a while back, I had a lot of catching-up to do) ...the posts from the last couple of pages make it pretty clear that apart from the IRIS issues the rest it pretty much laid to rest.more clarifying at this point.
Mark.
y2blade said:
markbe said:
I think an update from Matt, about his and his partners car would be
more clarifying at this point.
Mark.
I read the whole thread with interest last night (since my last post in here was a while back, I had a lot of catching-up to do) ...the posts from the last couple of pages make it pretty clear that apart from the IRIS issues the rest it pretty much laid to rest.more clarifying at this point.
Mark.
Had my day down at Dunsfold on the top gear track on Tuesday - we had the opportunity to drive on the local roads as well as the Top Gear circuit.
Obviously the amount of driving time was limited, around 60 minutes in total therefore i can only give a limited impression, however I can report that the car is BLOODY BRILLIANT!
Before getting into the argument about comparisons with the 458, my impressions are -
Steering / Suspension / Brakes / Handling - Very linear steering, good feedback and sharp turn in. Very easy to balance with the throttle also and the Brake / Steer system works very well. The track was wet and we cornered at speeds I would not have believed possible. The car remained composed and controllable, when the traction systems did intervene, they were very subtle and I always felt as if I was in control and the car responded to my inputs.
Braking is simply unbelievable, great pedal feel (Ceramic brakes), it was very difficult to get to the point of lock up and have the ABS intervene. I did not get to try steel brakes unfortunately however the test drivers with us advised that unless the car is going to have track use, the standard brakes are more than capable.
The suspension soaks up bumps very well, is very controlled and has no noticeable rebound. In corners, the hydraulics work unnoticed and the car remains completely flat, the loading of each tyre can be easily felt and the suspension communicates clearly when limits are being neared.
Overall, the handling is very neutral, both oversteer and understeer can be controlled by the driver and the amount of correction by the systems can be adjusted using the two dials on the dash that control throttle / engine mapping and Suspension / Traction.
Using the launch control really shows how advanced the electronic systems are, pulling away in the wet and over the painted runway lines was unbelievable - the car shimmied a little but simply launched forwards as if on a dry surface without trauma.
The interior of the car - even on the development cars we were using that had covered 12k miles - is very well executed and well constructed. All controls fall to hand, the readouts are quick to assimilate and the driving position is excellent. The quality of construction and materials used are also of an extremely high standard. Volcano Orange paint suits the car perfectly and the paint quality is also very high (Ferrari take note - it can be done!)
McLaren really have produced an exceptional car. I know many will wish to compare it to a 458, however I believe comparison is unfair. They are very differrent, the 458 is certainly more of an event - noise, looks, involvement particualarly the amount of interaction through the steering.
The MP4-12C is more polished, easy to exploit, more refined / restrained and it works with you more.
From the posts on here I know many have suffered problems with the MP4-12C, I am also frustrated by the delays and now expect delivery during January. I would also say that my 458 has not exactly been a paragon of reliability, and Ferrari could not be described as being helpful in sorting out the problems we have had with the car. The team at McLaren seem really committed to ensuring everything is right with the car and have kept me informed of progress therefore I have great faith that the car will spend more time on the road and less with the dealer.
Roll on January when I can (weather permitting) start to arrange some real comparisons!
Obviously the amount of driving time was limited, around 60 minutes in total therefore i can only give a limited impression, however I can report that the car is BLOODY BRILLIANT!
Before getting into the argument about comparisons with the 458, my impressions are -
Steering / Suspension / Brakes / Handling - Very linear steering, good feedback and sharp turn in. Very easy to balance with the throttle also and the Brake / Steer system works very well. The track was wet and we cornered at speeds I would not have believed possible. The car remained composed and controllable, when the traction systems did intervene, they were very subtle and I always felt as if I was in control and the car responded to my inputs.
Braking is simply unbelievable, great pedal feel (Ceramic brakes), it was very difficult to get to the point of lock up and have the ABS intervene. I did not get to try steel brakes unfortunately however the test drivers with us advised that unless the car is going to have track use, the standard brakes are more than capable.
The suspension soaks up bumps very well, is very controlled and has no noticeable rebound. In corners, the hydraulics work unnoticed and the car remains completely flat, the loading of each tyre can be easily felt and the suspension communicates clearly when limits are being neared.
Overall, the handling is very neutral, both oversteer and understeer can be controlled by the driver and the amount of correction by the systems can be adjusted using the two dials on the dash that control throttle / engine mapping and Suspension / Traction.
Using the launch control really shows how advanced the electronic systems are, pulling away in the wet and over the painted runway lines was unbelievable - the car shimmied a little but simply launched forwards as if on a dry surface without trauma.
The interior of the car - even on the development cars we were using that had covered 12k miles - is very well executed and well constructed. All controls fall to hand, the readouts are quick to assimilate and the driving position is excellent. The quality of construction and materials used are also of an extremely high standard. Volcano Orange paint suits the car perfectly and the paint quality is also very high (Ferrari take note - it can be done!)
McLaren really have produced an exceptional car. I know many will wish to compare it to a 458, however I believe comparison is unfair. They are very differrent, the 458 is certainly more of an event - noise, looks, involvement particualarly the amount of interaction through the steering.
The MP4-12C is more polished, easy to exploit, more refined / restrained and it works with you more.
From the posts on here I know many have suffered problems with the MP4-12C, I am also frustrated by the delays and now expect delivery during January. I would also say that my 458 has not exactly been a paragon of reliability, and Ferrari could not be described as being helpful in sorting out the problems we have had with the car. The team at McLaren seem really committed to ensuring everything is right with the car and have kept me informed of progress therefore I have great faith that the car will spend more time on the road and less with the dealer.
Roll on January when I can (weather permitting) start to arrange some real comparisons!
pb1695 said:
... the 458 is certainly more of an event - noise, looks, involvement particualarly the amount of interaction through the steering.
The MP4-12C is more polished, easy to exploit, more refined / restrained and it works with you more.
Thanks for the review!The MP4-12C is more polished, easy to exploit, more refined / restrained and it works with you more.
The above two lines stood out most... I guess you really have to drive them to see which you prefer (if making a choice).
Would a 3rd option for the discerning buyer be a GT3 RS 4.0?
pb1695 said:
Had my day down at Dunsfold on the top gear track on Tuesday - we had the opportunity to drive on the local roads as well as the Top Gear circuit.
Obviously the amount of driving time was limited, around 60 minutes in total therefore i can only give a limited impression, however I can report that the car is BLOODY BRILLIANT!
Before getting into the argument about comparisons with the 458, my impressions are -
Steering / Suspension / Brakes / Handling - Very linear steering, good feedback and sharp turn in. Very easy to balance with the throttle also and the Brake / Steer system works very well. The track was wet and we cornered at speeds I would not have believed possible. The car remained composed and controllable, when the traction systems did intervene, they were very subtle and I always felt as if I was in control and the car responded to my inputs.
Braking is simply unbelievable, great pedal feel (Ceramic brakes), it was very difficult to get to the point of lock up and have the ABS intervene. I did not get to try steel brakes unfortunately however the test drivers with us advised that unless the car is going to have track use, the standard brakes are more than capable.
The suspension soaks up bumps very well, is very controlled and has no noticeable rebound. In corners, the hydraulics work unnoticed and the car remains completely flat, the loading of each tyre can be easily felt and the suspension communicates clearly when limits are being neared.
Overall, the handling is very neutral, both oversteer and understeer can be controlled by the driver and the amount of correction by the systems can be adjusted using the two dials on the dash that control throttle / engine mapping and Suspension / Traction.
Using the launch control really shows how advanced the electronic systems are, pulling away in the wet and over the painted runway lines was unbelievable - the car shimmied a little but simply launched forwards as if on a dry surface without trauma.
The interior of the car - even on the development cars we were using that had covered 12k miles - is very well executed and well constructed. All controls fall to hand, the readouts are quick to assimilate and the driving position is excellent. The quality of construction and materials used are also of an extremely high standard. Volcano Orange paint suits the car perfectly and the paint quality is also very high (Ferrari take note - it can be done!)
McLaren really have produced an exceptional car. I know many will wish to compare it to a 458, however I believe comparison is unfair. They are very differrent, the 458 is certainly more of an event - noise, looks, involvement particualarly the amount of interaction through the steering.
The MP4-12C is more polished, easy to exploit, more refined / restrained and it works with you more.
From the posts on here I know many have suffered problems with the MP4-12C, I am also frustrated by the delays and now expect delivery during January. I would also say that my 458 has not exactly been a paragon of reliability, and Ferrari could not be described as being helpful in sorting out the problems we have had with the car. The team at McLaren seem really committed to ensuring everything is right with the car and have kept me informed of progress therefore I have great faith that the car will spend more time on the road and less with the dealer.
Roll on January when I can (weather permitting) start to arrange some real comparisons!
Great review gp,if your not already a member of Mclarenlife you would be more than welcome to post this review for the members,especially the guys in the states who have alot longer to wait than us.Obviously the amount of driving time was limited, around 60 minutes in total therefore i can only give a limited impression, however I can report that the car is BLOODY BRILLIANT!
Before getting into the argument about comparisons with the 458, my impressions are -
Steering / Suspension / Brakes / Handling - Very linear steering, good feedback and sharp turn in. Very easy to balance with the throttle also and the Brake / Steer system works very well. The track was wet and we cornered at speeds I would not have believed possible. The car remained composed and controllable, when the traction systems did intervene, they were very subtle and I always felt as if I was in control and the car responded to my inputs.
Braking is simply unbelievable, great pedal feel (Ceramic brakes), it was very difficult to get to the point of lock up and have the ABS intervene. I did not get to try steel brakes unfortunately however the test drivers with us advised that unless the car is going to have track use, the standard brakes are more than capable.
The suspension soaks up bumps very well, is very controlled and has no noticeable rebound. In corners, the hydraulics work unnoticed and the car remains completely flat, the loading of each tyre can be easily felt and the suspension communicates clearly when limits are being neared.
Overall, the handling is very neutral, both oversteer and understeer can be controlled by the driver and the amount of correction by the systems can be adjusted using the two dials on the dash that control throttle / engine mapping and Suspension / Traction.
Using the launch control really shows how advanced the electronic systems are, pulling away in the wet and over the painted runway lines was unbelievable - the car shimmied a little but simply launched forwards as if on a dry surface without trauma.
The interior of the car - even on the development cars we were using that had covered 12k miles - is very well executed and well constructed. All controls fall to hand, the readouts are quick to assimilate and the driving position is excellent. The quality of construction and materials used are also of an extremely high standard. Volcano Orange paint suits the car perfectly and the paint quality is also very high (Ferrari take note - it can be done!)
McLaren really have produced an exceptional car. I know many will wish to compare it to a 458, however I believe comparison is unfair. They are very differrent, the 458 is certainly more of an event - noise, looks, involvement particualarly the amount of interaction through the steering.
The MP4-12C is more polished, easy to exploit, more refined / restrained and it works with you more.
From the posts on here I know many have suffered problems with the MP4-12C, I am also frustrated by the delays and now expect delivery during January. I would also say that my 458 has not exactly been a paragon of reliability, and Ferrari could not be described as being helpful in sorting out the problems we have had with the car. The team at McLaren seem really committed to ensuring everything is right with the car and have kept me informed of progress therefore I have great faith that the car will spend more time on the road and less with the dealer.
Roll on January when I can (weather permitting) start to arrange some real comparisons!
I think this is a fair and sensible report and having drive 6500miles in a 458 and 1500 in a 12c
Would not take issue with any of it.
The journos and very few early owners were imop impatient in the extreme! To some extent you have to understand tHe owners but only wonder at the motives of some of tHe journos.
This objective report makes me declare that I look forward to the 458 spider and the 12c spider with equal excitement !
Both cars are amazing but different!
Would not take issue with any of it.
The journos and very few early owners were imop impatient in the extreme! To some extent you have to understand tHe owners but only wonder at the motives of some of tHe journos.
This objective report makes me declare that I look forward to the 458 spider and the 12c spider with equal excitement !
Both cars are amazing but different!
I was also fortunate to attended Dunsfold on Tuesday. Happy to confirm all of the above. The car is absolutely amazing.
Interestingly my 21 year old son ( just completed the 2011 season in Formula Renault 2.0.) described the performance of the MP4-12C as similar to that of his race car.
Regarding the comparison with the 4.0 RS. Two very different types of car,
Looking forward to Q-2-12
Interestingly my 21 year old son ( just completed the 2011 season in Formula Renault 2.0.) described the performance of the MP4-12C as similar to that of his race car.
Regarding the comparison with the 4.0 RS. Two very different types of car,
Looking forward to Q-2-12
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