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

[SebringSilver]

So I had an opportunity to test drive the McLaren MP4-12C today, in all its McLaren Orange glory, and the most immediate sensation I got after the drive was that it felt like a really really fast R8. It's amazingly docile around town, and surprisingly civil on all types of surfaces you'd expect to encounter in most urban environments. I drove through some really bumpy sections that were under road construction, and the ride never ever felt coarse or unrefined. Of course, the car just gets up and goes, and the accompaniment of the lightweight race exhaust (a $5,905 option) never fails to remind you there are almost 600 horses at your disposal, but what really blows your mind is how tame it is.

The car is to the R8 what the R8 was to the NSX. It's the next evolution of the incredibly competent sports car, utilizing amazing technology, utmost refinement, and space age materials, to bring the driver useable levels of ultra high performance.

It's really difficult to describe the feeling you get from a car that you simply can't criticize. It looks dead sexy, goes incredibly fast, has a bigger trunk than the R8, is comfortable, sounds awesome, and the steering, oh the steering...it has to be experienced to be believed.

In my mind, this is what the R8 (and prior to the R8, the NSX) has done for the world of high performance cars - it's made the world sit up and take notice to the fact that supercars have to be more than just capable of going extremely fast.

[YACHT LIGHTS]

cool so when ru selling your R8

[SebringSilver]

Never?

I like the fact that the R8 isn't a very expensive car and that you can feel safe parking it in a public parking lot, etc. So my plan is to keep it as my daily driver regardless. A car like the McLaren, even though it's supremely civilized, would probably only be taken out for special occasions.

Does that even make sense? Or did I just contradict myself....

[rawg]

stop teasing yourself lol

[yupp danners]

I don't know if should admit this on the R8talk forum, but, I cycle to work ...

If you've decided to read on and sympathise with my green sickness, I would just like to say I agree wholeheartedly with Sebring's impression of the McClaren...... I was riding home on my bicycle last week from the West End of London when suddenly, at the lights, a black McLaren appeared in all its majesty. I have seen them in the showroom at No.1 Knightsbridge, but not in action.

So much prettier than any picture I've seen in the press and the sound OMG, even at idle - it can only be described as music penned by a genius - a 1000 octaned Mozart.

There are gaggles of 458's and Californias racing around Knightsbridge, most of them belong to rich oil men or footballers, I really like the 458 but hey the McLaren is in another league- just like Ron Denis's office -pure perfection.

Ironically, I kept catching up with the McL on my bike because of the ridiculous amount of traffic lights in London and each time I caught up, I found myself staring at the McLaren like a stalker.

I have owned a V10 R8 for a couple of years and I love it. I also love the running costs- the R8 flies below the radar of extortionate servicing and spare parts. I suspect ( I may be wrong) that the McLaren will cost a lot more to run.

I want a supermodel as a wife but I can't afford one, so I have a bog standard beautiful wife and her overhead's are just about affordable

[Moncho]

So I had an opportunity to test drive the McLaren MP4-12C today, in all its McLaren Orange glory, and the most immediate sensation I got after the drive was that it felt like a really really fast R8. It's amazingly docile around town, and surprisingly civil on all types of surfaces you'd expect to encounter in most urban environments. I drove through some really bumpy sections that were under road construction, and the ride never ever felt coarse or unrefined. Of course, the car just gets up and goes, and the accompaniment of the lightweight race exhaust (a $5,905 option) never fails to remind you there are almost 600 horses at your disposal, but what really blows your mind is how tame it is.

The car is to the R8 what the R8 was to the NSX. It's the next evolution of the incredibly competent sports car, utilizing amazing technology, utmost refinement, and space age materials, to bring the driver useable levels of ultra high performance.

It's really difficult to describe the feeling you get from a car that you simply can't criticize. It looks dead sexy, goes incredibly fast, has a bigger trunk than the R8, is comfortable, sounds awesome, and the steering, oh the steering...it has to be experienced to be believed.

In my mind, this is what the R8 (and prior to the R8, the NSX) has done for the world of high performance cars - it's made the world sit up and take notice to the fact that supercars have to be more than just capable of going extremely fast.

Exactly the reason I bought one!! Coincidentally, or maybe not, I've had an NSX, then an R8, and now a 12C. I agree 100% with your comments. I had to sell the R8 due to garage issues, but now that I have the 12C, I just don't think I would be driving it much. You do have to get used to getting more attention, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought. My brother gets way more with his yellow Gallardo.
I did create a mob scene at yesterday's Coffee & Cars in Houston, though these were mostly car fans who recognized the car. Most "regular" people don't know what it is.
ImageUploadedByAutoguide1330871546.031941.jpg

[cavaret]

Moncho... Did you buy yours in Dallas? I have been really thinking about getting the 12c. I am just a little worried about the intrusiveness of the doors?

[Motown]

I have heard a consistant opinion 5th gear had. Looks cool and has a bunch of power but what really matters is missing. Here is the video on youtube from fifth gear...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahsIOVx93zs

[Moncho]

I have heard a consistant opinion 5th gear had. Looks cool and has a bunch of peer but what really matters is missing. Here is the video on youtube from fifth gear...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahsIOVx93zs

You know what they say about opinions... Everyone has one, but only yours matters. Just drive one... You'll see!! It's interesting that the NSX, R8 and 12C all have the same criticism; "clinical", "cold", "no fun", "uninspired". I disagree!!
Here's another opinion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mKB-...e_gdata_player

[SebringSilver]

You know what they say about opinions... Everyone has one, but only yours matters. Just drive one... You'll see!! It's interesting that the NSX, R8 and 12C all have the same criticism; "clinical", "cold", "no fun", "uninspired". I disagree!!
Here's another opinion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mKB-...e_gdata_player

I agree. Just drive one and they will see indeed. In fact, I'm inclined to think that anyone who likes the handling of an R8 will almost certainly prefer the MP4 to, say, a 458. In the hands of a highly skilled driver, I would imagine it's possible to wring every last ounce of performance out of the Ferrari. But in my relatively mortal hands, I know for sure I would feel more confident pushing an R8 or a McLaren closer to its limits.