EVO: New McLaren MP4-12C review
Feb 14, 2011 | 07:29 AM
#1
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 31,554
From: Zoo York
EVO: New McLaren MP4-12C review 
The new McLaren MP4-12C, rival to the Ferrari 458 Italia, offspring of Ron Dennis. It costs £168,500, so is cheaper than the Ferrari, too.
Technical highlights?
No roll bars, no LSD, hydraulically supported and connected suspension, adaptive dampers, a little under 600bhp, 1301kg dry, carbon tub, optional ceramic brakes, brake assist, twin turbochargers. More technology than we’ve ever seen in a sports car before.
What’s it like to drive?
Unlike any other sports car because it separates the roles of ride and roll-stiffness. On a straight, bumpy road, it’s more comfortable than a Merc E-Class, change direction and it’s sharper than a GT3. There are 3 chassis modes: comfort, sport and track which bring increased roll-stiffness and more relaxed intervention from the ESP. The powertrain is remarkable in its strength and ease-of-use: the MP4 is noticeably quicker than a 458, doesn’t feel that turbocharged and makes a great noise. Crucially, you can separate the chassis functions from the powertrain (again, comfort, sport and track) so it’s possible to have sharp throttle response and faster gearshifts, with supple suspension. It is the most talented machine I have ever driven.
How does it compare?
To what? I mean can you think of an obvious rival? Only kidding – it’s faster than a Ferrari 458 Italia, has more useable performance, rides better, has more mechanical grip and is much, much more useable.
Anything else I should know?
Yes - that no one understands the emotional side to these machines like Ferrari does, and the MP4-12C, for all its brilliance, serves as a reminder. It’s not unemotional, it sounds great in ‘track’ mode, it steers beautifully and its engineering is intriguing – but it is a car you admire deeply rather than one you sell your family to own. As you can tell, I need more space to tell this story…
No roll bars, no LSD, hydraulically supported and connected suspension, adaptive dampers, a little under 600bhp, 1301kg dry, carbon tub, optional ceramic brakes, brake assist, twin turbochargers. More technology than we’ve ever seen in a sports car before.
What’s it like to drive?
Unlike any other sports car because it separates the roles of ride and roll-stiffness. On a straight, bumpy road, it’s more comfortable than a Merc E-Class, change direction and it’s sharper than a GT3. There are 3 chassis modes: comfort, sport and track which bring increased roll-stiffness and more relaxed intervention from the ESP. The powertrain is remarkable in its strength and ease-of-use: the MP4 is noticeably quicker than a 458, doesn’t feel that turbocharged and makes a great noise. Crucially, you can separate the chassis functions from the powertrain (again, comfort, sport and track) so it’s possible to have sharp throttle response and faster gearshifts, with supple suspension. It is the most talented machine I have ever driven.
How does it compare?
To what? I mean can you think of an obvious rival? Only kidding – it’s faster than a Ferrari 458 Italia, has more useable performance, rides better, has more mechanical grip and is much, much more useable.
Anything else I should know?
Yes - that no one understands the emotional side to these machines like Ferrari does, and the MP4-12C, for all its brilliance, serves as a reminder. It’s not unemotional, it sounds great in ‘track’ mode, it steers beautifully and its engineering is intriguing – but it is a car you admire deeply rather than one you sell your family to own. As you can tell, I need more space to tell this story…
Feb 14, 2011 | 07:40 AM
#3
The black sheep of the family.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,322
It seems very clinical.
But if it had ferrari badges on it and was called a 458, would it still lack character? What gives the car character?
It's going to be an interesting discussion when the reviewers talk more about the car.
But if it had ferrari badges on it and was called a 458, would it still lack character? What gives the car character?
It's going to be an interesting discussion when the reviewers talk more about the car.
Feb 14, 2011 | 08:00 AM
#5
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,976
From: Minnesota
That's a fantastic question. I'm very curious to see if that gets answered as more reviews and comparison tests come out.
Feb 14, 2011 | 08:02 AM
#6
The black sheep of the family.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,322
A Ferrari badge gives a car emotion, but what gives a car character? It's downfalls? Bad design? Will the 12C be let down because it is overly well though out, to clever for it's own boots? Do cars need faults for you to fall in love with them?
Feb 14, 2011 | 08:05 AM
#8
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,839
From: London, formerly LA
Firstly it's a turbo and I personally find that a Turbo engine lacks the character of an NA engine.
Secondly, look at it. It's got no design elements that make you go, "wow." They've played it safe aesthetically: it's neither here nor there but one things for sure - it definitely will be the better performer judging by the initial reactions, hence my comparison to the GTR.
The people that will initially buy this car will be in a few groups:
A) Those that want the latest and greatest.
B) Those that want the best performance
C) Those that want to have something different: not a Ferrari.
I think once the novelty of a new supercar on the scene wears off the car will suffer god awful residuals.
Secondly, look at it. It's got no design elements that make you go, "wow." They've played it safe aesthetically: it's neither here nor there but one things for sure - it definitely will be the better performer judging by the initial reactions, hence my comparison to the GTR.
The people that will initially buy this car will be in a few groups:
A) Those that want the latest and greatest.
B) Those that want the best performance
C) Those that want to have something different: not a Ferrari.
I think once the novelty of a new supercar on the scene wears off the car will suffer god awful residuals.
Last edited by LABrit; Feb 14, 2011 at 08:08 AM.
Feb 14, 2011 | 08:09 AM
#9
The black sheep of the family.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,322
A refined turbo engine does for sure. But I personally wouldn't call all turbo engines characterless.
The design is safe, but is functional. Which has seemingly been the overriding principal. Does that make it characterless? Perhaps cars do need faults.
Regardig design, to me the 360 is pretty here nor there, and is actually in my mind, hideous. But it does have character and emotion. Bloody weird.
Is it cause is British, and British things by default are clinical and boring? But isn't that what made Britain ( in the past ) great?
The design is safe, but is functional. Which has seemingly been the overriding principal. Does that make it characterless? Perhaps cars do need faults.
Regardig design, to me the 360 is pretty here nor there, and is actually in my mind, hideous. But it does have character and emotion. Bloody weird.
Is it cause is British, and British things by default are clinical and boring? But isn't that what made Britain ( in the past ) great?