Could a Mclaren F1 mix it with the new supercars
Could a Mclaren F1 mix it with the new supercars
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rich861

Original Poster:

69 posts

185 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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It's all subjective as far as Im aware? I'd be curious to see how it would fare, Id like to think it would do well. Say a Mclaren F1 LM.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_F1_LM

It would be interesting to see it round the Top Gear test track.

davepoth

29,395 posts

229 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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The F1 would still be pretty competitive, mainly because it was built for simpler times.

OllieC

3,816 posts

244 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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In short, from what I know I believe it could.

Even if it was slower, I believe it to be the purest performance road car ever, and due to to the march of technology we will not see its like again.

flemke

23,495 posts

267 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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IMO, to make such a comparison "fair", you'd need to make several adjustments.

- You wouldn't use an LM, as it has no A/C or sound system, which the new cars all do. Also, it's got a straight-cut gearbox, making for slightly quicker shifts, at the cost of a level of noise that over an extended period is unbearable. A standard road car would be a fairer reference.
- The biggest difference would be in the tyres. You'd need to fit equivalent, modern tyres to the F1, on 18" wheels.
- Next disparity is the modern cars' girlie gearshift. Manual - manual would be the right comparison.
- The other major difference would be in braking. A harder pad on the F1 would help it, although the size of its discs is a limiting factor.

I'd suggest that the McLaren F1 is to road cars as the McLaren M8 series (Can-Am) was to racing cars.




Path-breaking, brutally fast, but ultimately superseded by things that were more sophisticated but less animalistic and less inspiring.


harryowl

1,114 posts

211 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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I read an Evo feature where one on modern rubber lapped a track (think it was bedford) faster than an Enzo.

Funk

27,690 posts

239 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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Very much so; even against the mighty Veyron, the F1 still holds its own: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXqSedWSu2k

One thing that was pointed out on a part that wasn't shown on the video is that the Veyron's 4 turbos wouldn't have been providing the usual amount of thrust in the staggering heat.

For a car that's 20 years old though, the F1 is still a remarkable piece of engineering.

Baryonyx

18,283 posts

189 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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I think so. Where it really trounces most modern supercars is it's creative design. It's a true spark of inspiration and is so much more than just another fast car.

flemke

23,495 posts

267 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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harryowl said:
I read an Evo feature where one on modern rubber lapped a track (think it was bedford) faster than an Enzo.
I think I remember that article.

In fairness, the 458 and 12C are also faster around a circuit than an Enzo is.

JoeFrost

1,548 posts

216 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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Out of interest, how loud is an F1 as road car? I appreciate how focused etc it is but could you say, drive to the South of France in one without feeling like killing yourself due to the noise/lack of comfort etc?

ZeeTacoe

5,444 posts

252 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
quotequote all
Funk said:
Very much so; even against the mighty Veyron, the F1 still holds its own: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXqSedWSu2k

One thing that was pointed out on a part that wasn't shown on the video is that the Veyron's 4 turbos wouldn't have been providing the usual amount of thrust in the staggering heat.

For a car that's 20 years old though, the F1 is still a remarkable piece of engineering.
if that is what I think it is you're an idiot. Don't worry I'll tell you that to your face
the next time I see you.
flemke said:
I think I remember that article.

In fairness, the 458 and 12C are also faster around a circuit than an Enzo is.
you really should do.

That is one of the most amazing thing for me about modern cars, a £600,000 mclaren is only as fast as a £360,000 Ferrari which has just be superceded by a £200,000 one.

I'd still rather have a ZR1 and a phaeton but it is amazing what you can get for your money these days

flemke

23,495 posts

267 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
quotequote all
JoeFrost said:
Out of interest, how loud is an F1 as road car? I appreciate how focused etc it is but could you say, drive to the South of France in one without feeling like killing yourself due to the noise/lack of comfort etc?
Engine noise inside cabin is at least as much induction as exhaust. It's fairly loud, but certainly bearable. Most I've driven/ridden in one day was prob 15 hrs. The factory offer a few levels of silencing.
Problem with the LMs and GTRs is the straight-cut gears in the transaxle. They tend to make a lot of noise.

flemke

23,495 posts

267 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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ZeeTacoe said:
That is one of the most amazing thing for me about modern cars, a £600,000 mclaren is only as fast as a £360,000 Ferrari which has just be superceded by a £200,000 one.

I'd still rather have a ZR1 and a phaeton but it is amazing what you can get for your money these days



GlenMH

5,460 posts

273 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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rofl

ZeeTacoe

5,444 posts

252 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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flemke said:
ZeeTacoe said:
That is one of the most amazing thing for me about modern cars, a £600,000 mclaren is only as fast as a £360,000 Ferrari which has just be superceded by a £200,000 one.

I'd still rather have a ZR1 and a phaeton but it is amazing what you can get for your money these days

Not exactly a fair comparison is it. And has nothing to do with how much faster modern cars are than the f1

Edited by ZeeTacoe on Sunday 22 May 16:01

Pothole

34,367 posts

312 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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path-breaking?

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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I lack the technological wherewithal to verify the claims, but has anyone seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Wws1A3SB8&fea...

CarbonM5

927 posts

221 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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Engine note is like an e36 M3 on steriods!

LukeSi

5,780 posts

191 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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For a 15+ year old car the F1 is still amazing by modern standards. I bet it would easily see off many of the current top performing super cars. If the F1 is still a lot faster off the line than even the veyron the new Mclaren Hyper Car is going to be dam scary.

ZeeTacoe

5,444 posts

252 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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LukeSi said:
For a 15+ year old car the F1 is still amazing by modern standards. I bet it would easily see off many of the current top performing super cars. If the F1 is still a lot faster off the line than even the veyron the new Mclaren Hyper Car is going to be dam scary.
It isn't.

GroundEffect

13,864 posts

186 months

Sunday 22nd May 2011
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Put an LM on modern rubber and it'll perform pretty nicely. The biggest advances in recent years are in transmissions and traction. It's still a 600BHP+ car weighing around 1100kg. Mental.