McLaren reviews begin
02-14-2011, 01:29 PM
#47
Autocar
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/...p4-12c/255434/
Chris Harris
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc...2c_review.html
There are some very strong words in these reviews. In fact I don't honestly recall ever reading car reviews that are so intensely positive.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/...p4-12c/255434/
Chris Harris
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc...2c_review.html
There are some very strong words in these reviews. In fact I don't honestly recall ever reading car reviews that are so intensely positive.
I'm not sure where the engineering is so triumphant (there's really nothing new in the 12C, including the hydraulic bits) but I guess he's on the "greater than the sum of its parts" and all the Brit mags are duty bound to deliver the effusive rhetoric.
This is easily the best photo and color scheme (equivalent to something like Atlas Grey over a dark red leather cabin?)
02-14-2011, 04:06 PM
#48
Rennlist Member
Bland, like the Evora, food and beer 
Fantastic car on the road and daily driver no doubt, even the price is right..
It might even beat the GTR's in laptimes ;-)
Kidding aside, I wonder how it feels to go fast without sway bars and LSD..Artificial, sublime?
Could it have a hint of kinda feeling like my old MB; 600HP, 730Lb (and 2000kg, NOT 1300kg) with ABC, lean in the corner, not LSD, but advanced EPS, it is amazing what it will do, specially given its weight and skinny tires, sounds fantastic (If you tilt sunrood) but it feels so boring that you're done in 3 laps, no matter what the laptime is.....
Will it be the thrill ride the competition serves up?
Fantastic car on the road and daily driver no doubt, even the price is right..
It might even beat the GTR's in laptimes ;-)
Kidding aside, I wonder how it feels to go fast without sway bars and LSD..Artificial, sublime?
Could it have a hint of kinda feeling like my old MB; 600HP, 730Lb (and 2000kg, NOT 1300kg) with ABC, lean in the corner, not LSD, but advanced EPS, it is amazing what it will do, specially given its weight and skinny tires, sounds fantastic (If you tilt sunrood) but it feels so boring that you're done in 3 laps, no matter what the laptime is.....
Will it be the thrill ride the competition serves up?
02-14-2011, 05:39 PM
#49
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Some further thoughts from Harris
http://community.evo.co.uk/users/Mon...cLaren-MP4-12C
it appears like these cars are getting too 'good' and in turn that is paradoxically making them less appealing
http://community.evo.co.uk/users/Mon...cLaren-MP4-12C
it appears like these cars are getting too 'good' and in turn that is paradoxically making them less appealing
02-14-2011, 05:59 PM
#50
Racer
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Certainly a great car. I am surprised at all the controversy and violence in all the forums between the 458 vs 12C supporters. Both great cars if you want to impress your neighbour or business partner. A 3RS or 2RS is however the only option if you want to feel the satisfaction of conquering a track by sheer skills and perseverance. I would however be glad to take any of these as a second car...
02-14-2011, 08:04 PM
#51
Instructor
Both the 458 and 12C are of a similar ilk i.e. they are both digital as opposed to the GT3 which is analogue (to quote Chris Harris). So far as that goes, it seems that the 12C achieves its objectives better than the 458 but neither can be compared to the GT3 in its present form as the GT3 is a totally different car and, it would appear, the last of a breed.
It takes a great deal more skill/experience to drive a GT3/RS well than either of these cars. I would suggest that both of these cars are strongly influenced by the money available in emerging markets such as India and China where people are not noted for driving ability and where status matters even more than in the west.
It takes a great deal more skill/experience to drive a GT3/RS well than either of these cars. I would suggest that both of these cars are strongly influenced by the money available in emerging markets such as India and China where people are not noted for driving ability and where status matters even more than in the west.
Last edited by Sierra Mike; 02-14-2011 at 08:28 PM.
02-14-2011, 09:00 PM
#52
Nordschleife Master
02-14-2011, 09:39 PM
#53
Rennlist Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: sydney
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both the 458 and 12C are of a similar ilk i.e. they are both digital as opposed to the GT3 which is analogue (to quote Chris Harris). So far as that goes, it seems that the 12C achieves its objectives better than the 458 but neither can be compared to the GT3 in its present form as the GT3 is a totally different car and, it would appear, the last of a breed.
It takes a great deal more skill/experience to drive a GT3/RS well than either of these cars. I would suggest that both of these cars are strongly influenced by the money available in emerging markets such as India and China where people are not noted for driving ability and where status matters even more than in the west.
It takes a great deal more skill/experience to drive a GT3/RS well than either of these cars. I would suggest that both of these cars are strongly influenced by the money available in emerging markets such as India and China where people are not noted for driving ability and where status matters even more than in the west.
i agree 1000%
to me they are playstation cars.
02-14-2011, 10:50 PM
#54
Nordschleife Master
Interesting comment by a certain LT following the latest Harris opinion:
One could possibly add the form:function relationship of German engineering/culture...
It seems to me that the corporate personality of each supercar maker is quite clearly imprinted on their latest car. The McLaren is efficient, fast, cold, and clinical, just like its creators. The 458 is beautiful, fast, and noisy. The SLS is torquey, comfortable, every-day usable. The Huyara is over the top, bespoke-craftsmanship, ultra-exclusive, slightly gaudy. (By the way, if you think that is an unfair assessment of Horacio Pagani's design aesthetic just have a look at the home audio system they offer.) Anyone in this rarified market needs only to match their personality-type to that of the car/manufacturer. The differences in absolute performance are likely far less important.
02-15-2011, 12:06 AM
#55
Instructor
Pistonheads
"And the real killer blow is that while the 12C can be driven rapidly and enjoyed by any driver, at almost any skill level, it also has secrets up its sleeve that only the true expert will want to unleash."
And if you really want no electronic aids:
"And if you look very carefully in the driver's manual - on about page 86, written in very small letters - you'll even find that there's a way to turn all the electronics off. Only then will you discover the full fury of what lurks within this seemingly most clinical of supercars. But be warned; the 12C is raging monster at its core; one that will go from 0-100mph in 6.1sec and throw you sideways far more quickly than you can say its name; and only the bravest, the most skilled, or the most stupid of drivers will want to lift the lid to that particular box."
I think it has greater depth than the press would have been allowed to explore in Portugal. The reality will become apparent once the journalists get to drive the car for an extended period and without supervision. Quite honestly, I can't wait to drive the car.
"And the real killer blow is that while the 12C can be driven rapidly and enjoyed by any driver, at almost any skill level, it also has secrets up its sleeve that only the true expert will want to unleash."
And if you really want no electronic aids:
"And if you look very carefully in the driver's manual - on about page 86, written in very small letters - you'll even find that there's a way to turn all the electronics off. Only then will you discover the full fury of what lurks within this seemingly most clinical of supercars. But be warned; the 12C is raging monster at its core; one that will go from 0-100mph in 6.1sec and throw you sideways far more quickly than you can say its name; and only the bravest, the most skilled, or the most stupid of drivers will want to lift the lid to that particular box."
I think it has greater depth than the press would have been allowed to explore in Portugal. The reality will become apparent once the journalists get to drive the car for an extended period and without supervision. Quite honestly, I can't wait to drive the car.
