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

[SebringSilver]

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.

I'd have to agree with Timborama on this. As much as I love the R8, the McLaren really is one step higher, just as the 458 is also one step higher. And it's not just because of price, and the resulting perception of superiority. Look at the technology, the engineering, the attention to detail, even the finishing materials. The McLaren is a spare-no-expense exercise in strivng for automotive perfection, while the R8 is full of compromises. No complaints from me though, the powers that be at Audi headquarters have done a masterful job of judging the equation between performance, luxury, practicality, design, and price. There's no better car than the R8 at hitting all those targets.

Anyway, here's something interesting: The former Stig at Rockingham with results that surprised me.

[guod]

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.

That's what I've heard other people say - but I think you're comparing to a fully opened R8 door right? I can't remember the last time I was able to fully open my own door! LOL I pretty much always open it only to the first notch.

If I am able to pick one up at some point I definitely wouldn't let the doors stop me!!

[exhilR8]

By all means, the doors are not a good reason pass one up. Nor is its zip, passion, and craziness. Nor are its corvettish looks. The driver fatigue, on the other hand, relative to the R8, on a 2,000 mile road trip, that might be a good reason.

Great car though, still considering one.

[SebringSilver]

Audi dealers far outnumber McLaren dealers. If I'm going on a road trip, I'd take the R8 for sure.

[BlackPenquinn]

@Sebring Silver, the McLaren 12C used in that test had a hydraulic suspension issue. They retested it and it did a 1:28 flat.

@ExhilR8, not sure why you think there would be fatigue. On the most comfortable settings it is far softer than the R8. But on the plus side its far edgier too, if you want it, which I would.

[exhilR8]

@ExhilR8, not sure why you think there would be fatigue. On the most comfortable settings it is far softer than the R8. But on the plus side its far edgier too, if you want it, which I would.

I'm not saying it would be bad, but I did drive the McLaren quite a bit on its softest setting, and I found it to be about the same as the R8 V10 in comfort mode, which is actually quite nice. That's why I think the McLaren loses no points against the R8 as a DD. What I'm hedging about is the lightness of the steering in the McLaren, which feels to me like it follows road imperfections more like a race car, with less resistance than does the R8, and requires more active and continuous concentration on steering. This is ideal on the track, where you're mapping the variations in the track surfaces in your mind with every lap you take. That's why I think the McLaren wins hands down as a track car. However, as a 3-way compromise between DD, Track car, and GT, I think the R8 probably gives more GT satisfaction on long trips, albeit with some sacrifice in the pursuit of track terror (relative to the McLaren). I suppose I could get used to the McLaren as a GT for long trips, but it doesn't seem to me like that was what it was meant for. On the other hand, there are certainly worse things to try to get used to.

But heck, as a race car, the McLaren's the real thing. There's none better, IMO. I'd go for it.

But since my other car is a Tesla S Performance, I'm going to want the long-range GT comfiness, solidity, and stability I've come to treasure from the R8, and that I'm not sure I could quite get from the McLaren.

[desperado]

FWIW, in my experience the R8 is very sensitive to small changes in alignment settings. I've learned that I can dial out much of the heavy steering and make the car very neutral for the track, or conversely make the car stable with understeer for Grand Touring usage.

I'd assume the same is true of the McLaren. It should be possible to make the handling less twitchy for DD use.

[exhilR8]

Good points. I've noticed that increasing negative camber in the fronts of the R8 reduces understeer slightly, without ruining GT stability, so I've just left it maxed out there and it's fine on the track and on long trips. Hadn't thought about taming the McLaren by doing the opposite...hmmm...

That's an open minded approach. Would need an open minded McLaren dealer to test it. Certainly would be hard to say no if it worked really well!

[v10]

The 12C I drove in Germany wasn't twitchy at all. The "weight" of the steering is light, but I didn't notice it trying to follow the grooves in the road. Definitely one of most awesome cars I've ever driven.

[gazza1]

I've noticed that increasing negative camber in the fronts of the R8 reduces understeer slightly, without ruining GT stability, so I've just left it maxed out there and it's fine on the track and on long trips. Hadn't thought about taming the McLaren by doing the opposite...hmmm...

That's an open minded approach. Would need an open minded McLaren dealer to test it. Certainly would be hard to say no if it worked really well!

Have run all my R8s with near maxed out negative camber at around -1.7

I also run the rears at around -1.0 to -1.2

Improves overall feel of handling for me.

Only downside is the inside of the tyres wear out before the rest.

On the McLaren..I would happily own one and would see it as a step up from the R8.