Breaking News: McLaren tweaks MP4-12C
#21
07-19-2011, 05:45 PM
I thought that the traction control could be turned off, it's just a big hassle (from what was shown during Too Gear's review).
#22
07-19-2011, 05:56 PM
Tbh I'm a bit confused myself. In Top Gear JClark did say you could turn it off but if I'm not mistaken in Fifth Gear they said that even with TC off the computers still try to get you back on track when drifting. Considering how often Top Gear has their facts wrong, I'm gonna trust Fifth Gear until further proof is provided.
#23
07-19-2011, 06:02 PM
Tbh I'm a bit confused myself. In Top Gear JClark did say you could turn it off but if I'm not mistaken in Fifth Gear they said that even with TC off the computers still try to get you back on track when drifting. Considering how often Top Gear has their facts wrong, I'm gonna trust Fifth Gear until further proof is provided.
458 still #1, isn't that what it means when a competitor makes changes just to MATCH you?
#27
07-19-2011, 09:04 PM
Good to hear that they are tweaking the car before it reaches the customer's hands. Too bad it took a thrashing by the media to motivate them to do it though, especially since they've been developing this car for years now.
Still, excited as hell to take delivery of this thing.
Still, excited as hell to take delivery of this thing.
#28
07-20-2011, 03:29 AM
That's not it... Usually that suggests some "sloppiness"... Why weren't they addressed before, and how come they got addressed and executed so quickly? What about testing? Expectation from McLaren is a PERFECT car from the get go, especially after so much hype and being absent for so long... What is to prevent more mods in a month, or two, or three! How would initial owners feel then! I know I'm being anal, but this is McLaren...
#29
07-20-2011, 08:52 AM
From Autocar:
The first McLaren MP4-12Cs to reach customers this week will come with a raft of changes designed to bolster the “emotional appeal” of the new £168,500 supercar.
McLaren has been stung by criticism from the car’s press launch. Almost all the world’s major automotive press, including Autocar, placed the MP4-12C below the Ferrari 458 Italia in tests because it lacked the aural drama and sense of occasion to match its pace and dynamic ability.
Chief among the changes are an improved throttle response and a “fruitier” exhaust note. A McLaren spokesman said these were changes that had been planned anyway, but the press criticism — and McLaren’s “Formula 1 mentality” — had “upped the pace” of development.
“We want drivers to enjoy the car a bit more,” he said. “The changes don’t lead to any performance increase, but they do lead to an emotional increase when you drive the car.”
The changes apply only when the MP4-12C is in Track mode. Many of the tweaks are to the car’s Intake Sound Generator, which controls the amount of noise coming from the engine bay into the cabin. A tube containing a butterfly valve runs from the engine’s plenum chamber to the cabin. The valve now opens wider in Track mode.
“It was a bit too sensible before,” said the spokesman, “You won’t notice the changes in normal mode, just when you’re really having fun and pushing it.”
McLaren has been stung by criticism from the car’s press launch. Almost all the world’s major automotive press, including Autocar, placed the MP4-12C below the Ferrari 458 Italia in tests because it lacked the aural drama and sense of occasion to match its pace and dynamic ability.
Chief among the changes are an improved throttle response and a “fruitier” exhaust note. A McLaren spokesman said these were changes that had been planned anyway, but the press criticism — and McLaren’s “Formula 1 mentality” — had “upped the pace” of development.
“We want drivers to enjoy the car a bit more,” he said. “The changes don’t lead to any performance increase, but they do lead to an emotional increase when you drive the car.”
The changes apply only when the MP4-12C is in Track mode. Many of the tweaks are to the car’s Intake Sound Generator, which controls the amount of noise coming from the engine bay into the cabin. A tube containing a butterfly valve runs from the engine’s plenum chamber to the cabin. The valve now opens wider in Track mode.
“It was a bit too sensible before,” said the spokesman, “You won’t notice the changes in normal mode, just when you’re really having fun and pushing it.”
#30
07-20-2011, 04:21 PM
That's not it... Usually that suggests some "sloppiness"... Why weren't they addressed before, and how come they got addressed and executed so quickly? What about testing? Expectation from McLaren is a PERFECT car from the get go, especially after so much hype and being absent for so long... What is to prevent more mods in a month, or two, or three! How would initial owners feel then! I know I'm being anal, but this is McLaren...
They had to do with enhancing the McLaren experience with the car. The fact that they reacted so quickly and it makes you nervous- I'd say maybe you should consider a car company that would rather push a product out and WAIT for the bitching and moaning to force their hand until they make the changes.
Take it at face value- they're a great company who gives a fvck.