Breaking News: McLaren tweaks MP4-12C
#33
I'm thrilled that McLaren are handling the issue this way. Given the type of person who would work for McLaren, in any type of role that would present feedback to the engineers, I wouldn't expect many comments along the lines of 'Yes, it's very fast, but I want to be able to hoon about a bit more...' to make it into part of the development process. These guys are all about making the car perfect. Perfection means different things to different people, and now that their baby is out in the real world, with a wider audience, they're simply redefining 'perfect' in light of the feedback. None of these changes appear to be more than some software changes for the induction flaps and throttle map, and a changing out the switches inside the paddles.
Personally, I think it was a mistake to go with forced induction in the first place. Yes, you can get more power from a lighter engine, and the emissions are better, but if they were trying to dethrone Ferrari, they completely overlooked the sonic component of the emotional appeal of a car. But, once that design decision was made, their execution appears to have been among the best, and I wonder if that was planned in keeping with the return to turbo engines in F1. Either way, it's tough to make a turbo engine sound as good as a Ferrari V8, or pack the kind of instant throttle response that is responsible for some of that emotional appeal.
Compare this response with the way BMW handled criticism of iDrive...
Personally, I think it was a mistake to go with forced induction in the first place. Yes, you can get more power from a lighter engine, and the emissions are better, but if they were trying to dethrone Ferrari, they completely overlooked the sonic component of the emotional appeal of a car. But, once that design decision was made, their execution appears to have been among the best, and I wonder if that was planned in keeping with the return to turbo engines in F1. Either way, it's tough to make a turbo engine sound as good as a Ferrari V8, or pack the kind of instant throttle response that is responsible for some of that emotional appeal.
Compare this response with the way BMW handled criticism of iDrive...
#34
^All that trouble and the 458 is still faster. I wouldn't be surprised if the MP4-12C is faster around the Nurburgring though.
Maybe the aftermarket can help with the exhaust note. The F40 still manages to sound good, especially with aftermarket exhausts.
Maybe the aftermarket can help with the exhaust note. The F40 still manages to sound good, especially with aftermarket exhausts.
#35
I'm surprised McLaren got such negative press, didn't Lewis Hamilton helped with the feel and handling of the car. IIRC on top gear or was it 5th gear, he said that the new McLaren is one of the best handling car he has ever driven. So car journalist knows better than Lewis Hamilton or was he afraid to say something bad about McLarn, or does he not know what a sport car should feel like?
I would agree with 5th gear, I watched Top Gear for entertainment, many shows are scripted and made up for your enjoyment, besides Stig's track times, I don't trust anything on that show.
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.
#37
i belive there will be a option in small print in the hand book for this.
#40
Awesome job McLaren! I can't wait to see how the revised exhaust sounds! Only problem is now that all the major car review shows have filmed it... no one will give it a second chance in production form. Such is life I suppose.