Test drove the McLaren MP4-12C...it's like a REALLY fast R8!

[Nudenut]

Just put your tuned R8 V10 in a run against a 12C.... you'll be surprised... I know I was !!

http://www.vmax200.com/vmax-starfire.php

1.5m with a headwind for the record.

[drifting]

No one think the mc is a little sole less? Its very strict and takes too much away from the driver it very fast. It doesn't have the madness of the 458 that you better be ready to catch it else you die


Can't wait to see the p1 tho i'd never be able to afford/run one

[exhilR8]

Not to mention, the R8 would need to drop some serious weight to even be "roughly equivalent". Plus now the vers 10 update brings the 12C to the sub 3 second club.

No question, I was referring to hp only, not power-to-weight ratio or to the whole car. There's also no question that the McLaren would totally thrash me at any track, any time, even in the non-updated confiuration I test drove. It would thrash me even if I had slicks and the McLaren had to use snow tires.

One thing the test drive did convince me of, the McLaren is not soul-less at all. It had the feel, and the soul, of a full-on race car. Once the turbos kick in, you'd better hang on. The car has crazy to spare. I'd love that at the track. I simply cannot comprehend how anybody can say that the McLaren lacks "passion" or "zing." It's got plenty of both.

The comparison I was making in my mind, though, was with a hypothetical R8+ supercharged to 710 hp. The R8+ would still be heavier by what, 300-350 lbs, but it would have lots of extra low-end torque. In that configuration, you might have a real contest. Because of the low rpm punch and the very weighty, stable, and authoritative feel of the steering, I'd probably pick the supercharged R8+ to own.

[duhawks]

Just put your tuned R8 V10 in a run against a 12C.... you'll be surprised... I know I was !!

http://www.vmax200.com/vmax-starfire.php

1.5m with a headwind for the record.

Was that R8 with just a tune or the TT?

[Nudenut]

Just a tune - running 572/572

[guod]

I'm personally a huge fan of the MP4-12C... not sure why but I just loved it from the start. Doubt it will ever actually happen but I think the major problem is the doors! That kills it as a DD - not even sure if I could get out when I park in my condo.

[andyhofer]

McLaren, just looks and feels far too clinical, designed by a computer, rather than with passion.

[timborama]

McLaren, just looks and feels far too clinical, designed by a computer, rather than with passion.

Sounds like sour grapes. R8 isn't even in the same league. LOL.
And you're sadly mistaken if you think Ron Dennis doesn't have passion, and mistaking clinical for precision. I've driven both, and fortunate to own the better one. The R8 might be a super car, but it's no supercar.

As for the doors, they are annoying at first, but you get use to them. They actually take less width to open than normally hinged doors.

[duhawks]

I've seen a McLaren in person once and saw a red 458 this morning. 458 looks hands down better. I know the McLaren will dust a 458 though....

I'd like to have a 13 v10 r8 S tronic with a pair of turbos that would be a serious car

[andyhofer]

Sounds like sour grapes. R8 isn't even in the same league. LOL.
And you're sadly mistaken if you think Ron Dennis doesn't have passion, and mistaking clinical for precision. I've driven both, and fortunate to own the better one. The R8 might be a super car, but it's no supercar.

As for the doors, they are annoying at first, but you get use to them. They actually take less width to open than normally hinged doors.

Not sore grapes at all, just my view. I have to say, looking at Ron Dennis doesn't exactly give me a feeling of passion, even his name is somewhat dull.

I would never say that the McLaren is the worst car, but it just doesn't look very exciting, the front reminds me of the Lotus Evora, and that doesn't rock my boat either.

Car for buck, I'd go with the R8, hands down.

Were all different, fortunately, which means we can all chase our different dreams, life would be dreary if we all liked the same stuff.