A tale of 2 Lambos and an SLR
Discussion
I thought I’d share some photographs from some recent and very enjoyable experiences with a couple of Lamborghinis and a McLaren SLR.
The first set of pictures are from a very snowy Nurburgring back at Easter. I took my Gallardo out for the trip, expecting bad weather, and was incredibly impressed with the car’s traction and stability on the snow bound roads. I passed several stranded cars and a coach on the road through Gerolstein to Nurburg!
Once at the ‘Ring, the car was, as ever, awesome. I rather like the “used” look in these photos!
Outside the Tiergarten
At the public car park
Dirty flanks
More recently, I enjoyed a weekend in the Segrave Club’s LP640. The colour grew on me – very “stealth” – as did the car. At first, I found it hard to adapt to, after the taut body control and small size of the Gallardo, but once I found some “big” roads and explored the upper reaches of the amazing V12 engine, I was hooked. The urge from 5,500 rpm was manic, and the sound coalesced into a wonderful scream that only a V12 can deliver. The harder I drove the car, the more it shrunk around me, and the less intimidating its size became. A masterpiece!
At the Bibury Court Hotel
Finally, and something of an interloper to this board, I have also tried the Segrave Club’s McLaren SLR. The car was not at all what I expected. As I drive a CGT, which is a car that demands real respect, I expected the SLR to be rather more accessible and generally softer. In a way it is, of course, with an auto gearbox and a pretty comfortable ride, but underneath the surface it really is quite an animal. The engine is gutteral, like a force of nature. The urge from even 1,000 rpm is like nothing else I’ve tried, and the handling is lively to say the least. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that I wished the car was more tied down at the rear – it felt under-damped. But it was certainly a lot of fun! (That said, the LP640 and CGT are, IMO, much better driver’s cars).
Kind regards
Steve
The first set of pictures are from a very snowy Nurburgring back at Easter. I took my Gallardo out for the trip, expecting bad weather, and was incredibly impressed with the car’s traction and stability on the snow bound roads. I passed several stranded cars and a coach on the road through Gerolstein to Nurburg!
Once at the ‘Ring, the car was, as ever, awesome. I rather like the “used” look in these photos!
Outside the Tiergarten
At the public car park
Dirty flanks
More recently, I enjoyed a weekend in the Segrave Club’s LP640. The colour grew on me – very “stealth” – as did the car. At first, I found it hard to adapt to, after the taut body control and small size of the Gallardo, but once I found some “big” roads and explored the upper reaches of the amazing V12 engine, I was hooked. The urge from 5,500 rpm was manic, and the sound coalesced into a wonderful scream that only a V12 can deliver. The harder I drove the car, the more it shrunk around me, and the less intimidating its size became. A masterpiece!
At the Bibury Court Hotel
Finally, and something of an interloper to this board, I have also tried the Segrave Club’s McLaren SLR. The car was not at all what I expected. As I drive a CGT, which is a car that demands real respect, I expected the SLR to be rather more accessible and generally softer. In a way it is, of course, with an auto gearbox and a pretty comfortable ride, but underneath the surface it really is quite an animal. The engine is gutteral, like a force of nature. The urge from even 1,000 rpm is like nothing else I’ve tried, and the handling is lively to say the least. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that I wished the car was more tied down at the rear – it felt under-damped. But it was certainly a lot of fun! (That said, the LP640 and CGT are, IMO, much better driver’s cars).
Kind regards
Steve
jonny5 said:
Hi Steve , great pics .. So living in central london now i've sold the CGT ... and thinking of either a SLR or the LP640 .. What do you think having driven both (read for Central London use). Is the SLR a better 'one-fits-all' car ?
Jonny,Edited by jonny5 on Saturday 31st May 15:01
I am sure you get asked this alot, why something as quick, and wide as the cars you mention purley for London use?
Not being rude at all, great to be able to. Just wondered what is a plus about it? Rather than say a 911 or something?
jonny5 said:
Hi Steve , great pics .. So living in central london now i've sold the CGT ... and thinking of either a SLR or the LP640 .. What do you think having driven both (read for Central London use). Is the SLR a better 'one-fits-all' car ?
I'd have to say the SLR.Edited by jonny5 on Saturday 31st May 15:01
The e-gear LP640 was not that happy in London traffic - even if you are super delicate there is quite a lot of clutch slip when pulling away from rest. And the visibility from the car is worse than the CGT. It is also ultra low and even with a lift kit I still had to take care over speed humps. It's a car for the open road, IMO.
The SLR, with its auto gearbox, was fine in London whilst still feeling really special. Of course it is also a lot more practical, and ground clearance is good.
HTH.
Kind regards
Steve
jonny5 said:
Hi Steve , great pics .. So living in central london now i've sold the CGT ... and thinking of either a SLR or the LP640 .. What do you think having driven both (read for Central London use). Is the SLR a better 'one-fits-all' car ?
Just out of curiosity, are you considering an SLR roadster amongst those? Edited by jonny5 on Saturday 31st May 15:01
I must admit, I wasn't overly impressed with the silver SLR the first time I saw it (compared to an LP640 that is, it's still a great looking car) - but the non-silver roadster I saw on here (yet to see one in the flesh) looks amazing in photos (for some reason) - be interested to hear others opinions...
jonny5 said:
Still like to have something really special , and whilst I really admire 911's as all rounders (i've had 4?) nothing quite scratches the itch like a big Lambo or a CGT .
What about the new mazzer? Still pretty special, for a junior 8-pot motor, but cheap enough to be your daily s
tter?
ingelow said:
jonny5 said:
Hi Steve , great pics .. So living in central london now i've sold the CGT ... and thinking of either a SLR or the LP640 .. What do you think having driven both (read for Central London use). Is the SLR a better 'one-fits-all' car ?
Just out of curiosity, are you considering an SLR roadster amongst those? Edited by jonny5 on Saturday 31st May 15:01
I must admit, I wasn't overly impressed with the silver SLR the first time I saw it (compared to an LP640 that is, it's still a great looking car) - but the non-silver roadster I saw on here (yet to see one in the flesh) looks amazing in photos (for some reason) - be interested to hear others opinions...
stefan: in a perfect world, could you see yourself owning an SLR as well as a CGT? I've always viewed it more as an extremely sporting GT car rather than an outright 'supercar' (which to me means a precision driver's tool). One for European jaunts, one for weekend thrills? Have you driven a 599 at all? I do rather like it but it seems a bit flawed in every area and I'm not sure that, should I ever be so fortunate to be in such a financial position as to own one, I could justify it.
stefan1 said:
BCA said:
Saw you at the ring, shame the lambo didnt get more laps in, I only ever saw it parked up. 
I also had my GT3 there (a friend brought it across). I did most of my laps in that because it is set up for the track.Kind regards
Steve
Let me know if you want someone to bring across the CGT - I am available 24/7 should you ever wish to have it driven over. 
BCA said:
stefan1 said:
BCA said:
Saw you at the ring, shame the lambo didnt get more laps in, I only ever saw it parked up.
I also had my GT3 there (a friend brought it across). I did most of my laps in that because it is set up for the track.Kind regards
Steve
Let me know if you want someone to bring across the CGT - I am available 24/7 should you ever wish to have it driven over. You're right about GT3s being a bit common - but then they are the weapon of choice for the 'Ring - at least in my view!
The interesting thing about that weekend was that it wasn't the snow that was the problem, it was the huge amount of salt on the track which made things quite exciting at times!
Kind regards
Steve
Edited by stefan1 on Friday 6th June 19:54
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