First Week with Mclaren
Discussion
I picked my MP4-12C up on Tuesday from Mclaren Manchester so its not strictly a week but thought I would post my thoughts so far.
I ordered mine in Fire Black which in this crappie weather looks a lot more black than fire but when the sun shines, it has an orange metallic fleck which I think looks very cool. It's the same texture as the volcano orange press cars that were around. Interior is black with orange stitching.
I live in Surrey so my first drive was the 180 miles back from Manchester. First impressions (it's been so long since I last drove one and it was very short and mainly on a race track) are its very easy to drive. Interior feels special and it's very comfortable. The first 20 miles on the motorway, I wasn't sure I liked it, but as I started to play and change settings, It grew on me and it has done more and more all week.
One of the many things that's very different to my Lambo is the way the power/torque is delivered. In the V12, its all about revs and you can feel the really brutal acceleration is imminent before it happens. It's progressive getting more and more power through the rev range. The Mclaren just goes bang at 3000rpm and doesn't stop till the limiter. it's a strange combination of the torque delivery of a turbo combined with the throttle response of a N/A engine. It is properly quick. I don't think I've driven a quicker car and I have driven lots.
My car has the sports exhaust and with the power train mode in Track, it is LOUD. Trust me that there is no fear that the noise doesn't do it justice.
The whole experience is very digital. It really does have two personalities. If you were a single bloke, you really could have this as your only car, it's that easy to drive. I have played with the handling/power-train switches and have found so far that I'm either pottering with everything in normal or I have the handling set to sport and power train to track. This way, I get two very different feels just by pressing the active switch on or off. It inspires huge amounts of confidence. I am far from great but If I had to set a lap time somewhere, I would chose the Mclaren in an instant.
I will post more as time elapses. I don't love it yet, like I love my Murcielago, despite it being a technically and dynamically 'better' car in every way and I do understand the journalists that say it's clinical but it is brilliant. I feel certain there is more to explore. If it is 'clinical' in any way, you get a sense that's its' deliberate. it doesn't feel flawed or missing anything, just a different take on what a sports car should be. I have a feeling that this will become Mclaren's differentiator in this market in the same way that Lamborghini and Ferrari have their own unique characters. I'm on the list for the big boy, out in two years....
Happy to answer questions, if anyone has any.
I ordered mine in Fire Black which in this crappie weather looks a lot more black than fire but when the sun shines, it has an orange metallic fleck which I think looks very cool. It's the same texture as the volcano orange press cars that were around. Interior is black with orange stitching.
I live in Surrey so my first drive was the 180 miles back from Manchester. First impressions (it's been so long since I last drove one and it was very short and mainly on a race track) are its very easy to drive. Interior feels special and it's very comfortable. The first 20 miles on the motorway, I wasn't sure I liked it, but as I started to play and change settings, It grew on me and it has done more and more all week.
One of the many things that's very different to my Lambo is the way the power/torque is delivered. In the V12, its all about revs and you can feel the really brutal acceleration is imminent before it happens. It's progressive getting more and more power through the rev range. The Mclaren just goes bang at 3000rpm and doesn't stop till the limiter. it's a strange combination of the torque delivery of a turbo combined with the throttle response of a N/A engine. It is properly quick. I don't think I've driven a quicker car and I have driven lots.
My car has the sports exhaust and with the power train mode in Track, it is LOUD. Trust me that there is no fear that the noise doesn't do it justice.
The whole experience is very digital. It really does have two personalities. If you were a single bloke, you really could have this as your only car, it's that easy to drive. I have played with the handling/power-train switches and have found so far that I'm either pottering with everything in normal or I have the handling set to sport and power train to track. This way, I get two very different feels just by pressing the active switch on or off. It inspires huge amounts of confidence. I am far from great but If I had to set a lap time somewhere, I would chose the Mclaren in an instant.
I will post more as time elapses. I don't love it yet, like I love my Murcielago, despite it being a technically and dynamically 'better' car in every way and I do understand the journalists that say it's clinical but it is brilliant. I feel certain there is more to explore. If it is 'clinical' in any way, you get a sense that's its' deliberate. it doesn't feel flawed or missing anything, just a different take on what a sports car should be. I have a feeling that this will become Mclaren's differentiator in this market in the same way that Lamborghini and Ferrari have their own unique characters. I'm on the list for the big boy, out in two years....
Happy to answer questions, if anyone has any.
RevHappy said:
So it falls into the V8 for everyday stuff and very blast worthy and not yet the V12 something a little more exotic for the weekend sir?
I'm going to keep the LP640 for now. it's completely the opposite of everything the Mclaren is so I'm going to keep both for the time being.Taken as an excerpt from the skewed logic used to explain to Mrs LFB why we need so many cars and two that as far as she is concerned are exactly the same!!
Edited by Lambo FirstBlood on Saturday 10th September 15:48
Dr G said:
Would love to see some photos if/when the sun comes out - do keep us updated 
What's the Mclaren running in process like?
I like that Mclaren squirted it up north only for you to bring it straight back down
I'm not sure how to post photos here but If someone is willing to explain, I'm happy to oblige.What's the Mclaren running in process like?
I like that Mclaren squirted it up north only for you to bring it straight back down
Running in is 1000Km. I'ver done half of that already.
ZOLLAR said:
Fantastic write up, thank you.
The big boy Mclaren, haven't heard much info recently on this is there anything further you could disclose
I have heard direct from the factory that this has just moved in to what they call the development hall. 750-800hp is still about right. The chap I spoke to was sketchy about any other other details like price etc. I couldn't work out whether he didn't know or couldn't tell me. The big boy Mclaren, haven't heard much info recently on this is there anything further you could disclose
Lambo FirstBlood said:
ZOLLAR said:
Fantastic write up, thank you.
The big boy Mclaren, haven't heard much info recently on this is there anything further you could disclose
I have heard direct from the factory that this has just moved in to what they call the development hall. 750-800hp is still about right. The chap I spoke to was sketchy about any other other details like price etc. I couldn't work out whether he didn't know or couldn't tell me. The big boy Mclaren, haven't heard much info recently on this is there anything further you could disclose
, can't wait to see pictures when they start surfacing 
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