McLaren 650S Spider: "So much better than the 12C it defies belief"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ส.ค. 2024
- The McLaren 650S Spider is more than a modified 12C Spider. A quarter of its parts are new and owes much to the mighty P1. Steve Sutcliffe finds out if it can still thrill.
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The McLaren 650S Spider costs some £20k more than the £190,000 coupe version, and it's worth every penny. Why? Because it can do just about everything the coupé can do dynamically yet adds a sizeable hit of extra sex appeal to go with it. And that arrives courtesy of a folding hard top roof that can glide up or down in but a few seconds, and which transforms the 650S into an even more exotic creature on the move. Steve Sutcliffe puts it to the test.
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it looks like they cut a P1 and a 12C in half, then glued the front of the P1 to the back of the 12C
still a good car though
0-100 in 5.7 seconds that's only 0.2 seconds slower than a 987 bhp Veyron that's impressive
I love how Mclaren has really come into their own as a car maker. Not just one hyper model on occasion, but now they actually make cars. That's what gives a car like this soul, it's for people to buy. But to compare it to a 458, c'mon guys, that's idiotic. Compare it to the 458 replacement.
I like to see this on the TG track, it's an amazing car.
Before people start dropping the "still has no soul" bomb, I ask that you actually give a reason as to why it has no soul. The very first 12c's were criticized as being soulless and clinical but McLaren made updates to change this. Now they have replaced the 12c with a car more based on the P1 so there is NO WAY that there is a lack of soul. Oh, and to the Ferrari fan boys out there, McLaren's Design Director Frank Stephenson has worked for both McLaren and Ferrari. He designed the F430 and was heavily involved in FXX project too. He's designed the P1 and now this 650s for McLaren and he himself states that there is a lot more passion at McLaren than there ever was at Ferrari. That's coming from one of the industry's most reputable figures. On that basis can I please ask that you think before writing stupid comments about this car or McLaren as a whole.
Steve Sutcliffe is a wonderful reviewer!! It takes a lot of personality to put forward such a detailed review while driving and making us all feel like we are really experiencing the same things. One of the world's best, I would say! Thank you.
Imagine driving by in your 650s and then in a stop light seeing a p1 next to u wishing that u should've gotten more money to get the other half of the car in the p1.
Imagine that moment when the 918 passes by and you feel all that regret!
David Somoza The 918 is a one million dollar car. The 650S is only $215,000. You have to compare the 918 to the P1. I am STILL waiting to see a 3 way head to head of the P1,La Ferrari and 918.
slabsides1 me too but u never see any review about laferrari beacuse it is only given to special people like the enzo.
The odds of that happening are next to never. Seeing a P1 in person alone would be like winning the lottery. Still, instead of a 650 owner wishing (regretting) he had "gotten more money to get the other half of the car in the P1" -- for the money he saved by not buying the P1, he could buy a Z06 corvette, Porsche GT3, and still have enough left over to customize all of them with add engine upgrades to where they'd probably all come close to, if not equal, P-1 levels of performance. Winner = 650S owner!
Saffi Ali There's a media embargo on LaFerrari reviews right now. They'll come out.
I still think the 12C is better looking. The 650S tries too much to look like a racing car imo
Give me a 12C nose and 650S improvements and I'll save it for my automotive spank bank...amen
*****
12C, 650S and Evora are all great cars, bad taste buys Ferraris.
lol.. 195k for a McLaren and still complaining.. I only wish here in Brazil we could have that type of car for "195 money" (not talking about currency, cuz if I do, the discrepancy would be a lot bigger, since our min. wage is smaller than in the UK). Here you can get a Camaro for like 190k. Fuck Brazil.
you are not alone
Erdem Aras I'm pretty sure not =(
But he's not complaining. Instead, he says that the car is relatively inexpensive for what it delivers, that's why he describes the price as being "the killer blow", in the sense of an upper hand, when the 650S is stacked against its main competitors.
You'll get a toyota for 160k here.Singapore.
and malaysia
P1 back end + 12c front end is what McLaren should've done. Also, are we ever going to get a normally aspirated McLaren again? I miss the F1, and if you made me buy the P1, I'd sell it and buy a 918 or LaFerrari instead. Very disappointed Mclaren. Kind of like your F1 standings once Lewis left. ;)
Well you know what , you should go and prove yourself right by designing a better car .
Nah. I'd get a used Z06 or something like that and supe it up.
Really dude? The Z06 is awesome. I see that you don't care though. Here's what I'd do:
If you want me to be specific, i'd use a carbon space frame (first of it's kind) with a mid-mounted 600hp B8444S V8 with 8 individual throttle bodies, an M66c AWD manual transmission and modify the Haldex AWD system to have a 30% front and 70% rear split on power distribution. Pushrod F1 suspension and Willwood 6 piston aluminum drilled and slotted brakes.
Top that brah.
The rantings of someone who hasn't a clue.
Really? I challenge any of you to come up with a better list of parts.
he did more off-roading in the 650s in this video than most Range Rover owners will ever do lol
Kind of a dick move to sell a million dollar car to clients and then release a much cheaper one right after with the same front end.
Uhh.. The 12-c was not a million dollars?
Didn't read the comment correctly, sorry
I wonder how much faster the P1 will be than this. Remember the engine is largely the same and the P1's electric power advantage also brings a weight penalty. I get the feeling the 650s's power is kept artificially low to preserve the P1's standing.
hung huge Miles and miles faster. This is nowhere near a P1. Nowhere near.
I don't think anyone lucky enough to own a P1 will care. The styling is similar but the P1 is in a league of it's own with it's stance and 'torque fill' hybrid power train. Chris Harris went as far to say that after the P1 the 650s felt 'laggy
I love all McLaren's cars especially the 650S, but I still think the 12C looks better. This 650S front end looks like it was just stuck on.
Yes, give me a 650S or 675LT with a more aero efficient 12C front end, and that would be heaven!
I personally don't think the front matches the back end of it, I think they should have changed the back, but that's just my subjective opinion.
And I think the front could've looked better...:P
I like the 12c more when it comes to the overall body. The back doesn't bother me in this car.
And is it me or does this car look higher than the 12c?
RobloxFilmProducful/RBX Videos & Car Vids I know what you mean, it does look it a bit.
it annoys me when people call this car ugly to prove another one is better
I mean can we use less harsh words this thing is beautiful
Using the 12C rear is a travesty and looks terrible.
well it is a 12C with different front bumper and different setup and a bit of horse power, and part of the front change is to reduce cost, since it has the same front light as the P1 or at least similar design and made by the same part supplier which means reduced costs
InitialDAmine You should watch Chris Harris video about this car. Obviously you are unaware.
vitto I did watch his video and you are the one unaware.
nope
vitto Chris Harris complained about the front end, not the 12C rear. Did YOU watch his video?
I don't care what anyone says, McLaren absolutely eat Lamborghini's and Ferrari's for dinner
Im just being a little bit biassed as McLaren is British and so am I! I've only ever seen a McLaren P1 in real life and it was just mind blowing
I'm glad you stated that you do not care what anyone say because your opinion about the matter is only objective in your alternate reality.
An all black 650s coupe would look just awesome
i wonder how many real potential buyers actually watch review like this and actually go and buy the car, nearly 400,000 views but how many real buyers???
gokii polat id say about 5 to 10 percent
gokii polat even if they only get 5 - thats a million pounds worth of sales right there. Not bad for lending someone a car for a day
MonroeSim Not even close. I'd say closer to 0.01% haha
SamJ596 We watch the reviews and read the articles. Someone on the McLaren forum links it then we discuss with what the journalist said.
+MonroeSim 5 - 10 percent hahahahahahahaha neeeever
My new 2nd favorite car (First one being the P1).
Steve, the best road tester ever! From a former racer and TV presenter whom you've nevrer heard of. Just love your assements - please keep it up!
You can't call car with that much engineering brillance and performance a "soulless".
chris harris has a slightly different opinion about it
I saw the Drive video yesterday and that doesn't seem to be correct!
12c in my opinion looked much better. It was truly a work of beauty.
12c is way better looking.
lol no, 12c looks like a cheap tesla
I went to a dealership and the guy gave me a ride in the 650s spider, best day of my life.
So much prettier than the fax machine-- I know the roof and rear and most of the doors are the same but the front clip and all the little details just make this car look so much more special than it's predecessor. The fax machine was a great super car but it didn't look the part-- that white coupe they show at the end is one of the sexiest things I've ever seen.
Man that front splitter/bumper is UGLY
I'm learning to like it, just like i learned to like the 12C. I think i do like it by now. I'm still not sure about the wheels, though!
McLaren waiting list for this is now 1 year....So the people with the MONEY the people who COUNT think you're a dumbass
Deo Heerai Yeah, like everyone with the money thinks it look good...get real buddy.
Are you talking about the overall p1ish front end? or just the little lip splitter? I dont see anything wrong with either and the extra front end bite should be worth it either way.
ewt415
ONE YEAR WAITING LIST.....THOSE people are the only ones who count ..THE BUYERS ,of which there is no shortage of ...REAL enough for you?. I think McLaren needs to start making a cream for you butthurters
customers who bought 12c right before 650s was released must be furious 'cough' Shmee150 'cough'
I think McLaren are sorting them out with some tech upgrades.
To be fair Shmee150 bought his 12C coupe second hand, and in the UK used 12C's go for about £120-130k. It might sound funny but I don't actually think he could afford 200k, because if he wanted a 200k car then he would have got a 200k car.
oh, I didnt know he bought second hand from his showroom video I assumed it was a brand new car
personally i prefer the looks of the 12c over the 650s
WTF
It looks gorgeous in white.
5:50 !! I cringed when I saw all that gravel flying everywhere!!
Why do people say that 650S is better looking than 12C, when it just isn't? 12C looked sleek, streamlined, and elegant, but 650S looks like 12C redesigned by Mansory …UGLY!
still prefer the 12c looks though..
I’m with you
NO; the front of the 12c looks outdated and way less sophisticated; no wonder they adopted the front of the 650s to all the véhicules they produce.
loool love this guy. 2:46 "its got THaAaAat much energy" lmao. enjoyed this review, good work
better looking? They should have changed the back too, it dosen't go on this front end. And I think the 12C design will aged better, it is more streamline. The P1 will age well, but this one looks too much like a facelift, a face that doesn't belong on that body.
couldn't agree with you more
couldn't disagree more
It certainly doesn't look any better than the 12C actually a whole lot worse and I don't think the 12C was slow in the first place but what do I know.
Sure in your head it is
And the from is still ugly
Demand is high on a new McLaren really what's that like 20 rich dudes that all know each other lol.
Actually the front is not ugly just not as good looking as the 12c.
***** yeah demand was high mainly not because of what it is, but mainly because the 12C IS VERY OLD since 2009 & WILL BE REPLACED / STOPPED
I love the 650s. Even though the 720s is way better, the 650s was just like it. The 650s destroyed everycar around it's price range, just like the 720s does today. The Aventador, 488 GTB, Huracan, 458, etc... all manhandled.
The front and rear look like they're part of completely different cars though! (I guess those would be the P1 and 12C haha)
I have owned a Lamborghini, Porsche and Ferrari and just bought the McLaren 560S Spider. I must admit all these cars were very good but to be honest the McLaren is so far the best, especially for an all day use. No backaches and can travel many miles in comfort compared to the others.
That noise when it passes you... Holy shit, it roars rather than moans unlike the 12c
The front looks like a grinning, Japanese, hentai school girl. The 12C looked better.
Lol front end was better than anything ferrari had produced apart from the laf at that time.
Love it when people get into heated arguments with complete strangers online, debating what car is better, even though its probably only the journalist/presenter who have had the pleasure of driving said vehicles. It all comes down to personal preferences and taste. Myself, I prefer the design of the 12C over that of the 650S. The performance, however, is another matter, where the 650S can even hold a candle to the 458 Speciale. Which would be my pick of the bunch. Now, if only Ferrari would make the 458 Speciale in a drop top version...
Sounds more like an advert than a review
I'll be back...gonna go buy one of these real quick.
I personally think the front is okay.
The front looks great on the P1 completing the rest of its body ....but the 650S ..!! I mean what the hell they were thinking !!!
You can get steel brakes if u request, although carbon carbon ceramic is standard steel is still an option. McLaren said so in Chris Harris video.
Huge McLaren fan here. No doubt this car is dynamically advanced compared with the 12C but the 12C is a far more cohesive design.
I love both the 650S and 12C equally! I just love them so much!
Awesome Car. P1 Front end looks amazing. The 650S builds on the original 12C but with massive improvements dynamically, aesthetically and emotionally
Well Done McLaren, a brilliant, brilliant car.
The 650S is the new supercar benchmark and Ferrari has it work cut out to even get close with the 458T IMHO
the instrument panel is very simple with few buttons which is excellent...
12C second hand prices will take a tumble after this... The scuttle is so low! I bet this looks better in the flesh, it looks great on video...
I see people saying it's ugly then they go comment on a veyron video defending it lmao trolls go home and take the bus
The 12C was much better looking, especially the spyder version. This is just frustrating.
I have never said this about any other car: I think the convertible 650S looks better than the hardtop one. Outstanding. This is what I would buy if I had a few hundred thousand dollars to buy a car.
Lamborghini should of looked out for this car before building their Huracan. My respect for McLaren just gone through the roof. I respect it even more when it beats my favorite car maker, Ferrari.
Didn't Autocar crash the P1 during that awful review a couple of months back? And now they're saying the 650S is on another lever compared to a 12C when Chris Harris said it is just marginally better. Hmmm...
True that...in Chris Harris we trust!
Everyone has their own opinion.
Chris Harris did drive it in the wet/damp conditions.... could be why the differing opinions.
3:55 incorrect, Chris Harris asked and they said they would fit them with steel brakes if you wanted it....which is pretty good customer service.
to be honest.. i dont like the look of it.. the 12c looked better.. this one looks ..aftermarket looks cheap ebay-ish... and that p1 front with the 12c rear.. what is wrong with those people? started facelifting the car reached the middle of ant an took a break or what?
i'm sure it's a briliant machine ... cause it's mclaren!! but its look stupidly ugly!
The 458 with the NA engine sounds much much better than this. It's like the 458 has the 2013 F1's sound and the Mclaren has the 2014 F1's sound.
Coupe all the way!!! an that is the car to get IMO. I love McLaren!
You guys should do a drag race between the Veyron & the 650s
not even in the same league.........
Benjamin Puna you might be wrong. go to GTBOARD and find out how close the 12C was to the veyron
Benjamin Puna I could be wrong but I thought 5.7 to 100 is about the same as the original Veyron?
You may find a single spec that comes close.... There are GTRs out there that even beat it... But the Veyron is in a League of its own be it very few others... I'm not even a fan of it to be honest... But for someone to say to do a comparison, is apples and oranges... The fact is the Veyron has the 650S beat in pretty much everything but track work due to the weight..... If you want a comparison.. 650S vs 458 Speciale.. These are much closer cars... while we are at it, throw in the SLS AMG Black vs Porsche GT2 RS vs R8 V10 plus vs Lambo Huracan maybe..
Wow i loved the 12C but this just brings it up to nearer to perfection..
it's basically half 12C-MP4 and half P1
I wanna see this thing go head to head with the 997 GT2 RS; that thing is a freak. This would most likely come out on top but still.
Spider version looks sexy, plus it sound great
I wish they kept the old badge on the car :(
The difference in the ride settings actually visibly noticeable
They should have spent more effort on the styling. Looks horrid.
I don't understand how some people can say this isn't as good looking as the 12C. I think the new styling ques from the P1 make the car look significantly better actually; I always thought the 12C looked a little boring and soulless. If you're spending this much money on a car you want some extra extravagance don't you? And as for the people saying it's too much like the P1.. how is that a bad thing?? The p1 is the new benchmark for hypercars (maybe the laferrari soon who knows). Thats like saying you don't like the look of a girl because she looks too much like a supermodel lol. What a phenominal car, if i had the money I would buy a 650S in a heartbeat.
Why does everyone hate the front? I think it looks better than the 12C in my opinion
I wish they could have done something more with the looks. It seems like they just took the front end from a p1 and put it on the body of a 12c
This car should be called "The ginger"
At what point do we stop saying "for the money"... I mean, it's a very expensive supercar. It's not like it costs $75,000 and does all that. It's an immense amount of car period, not just for the money.
Imagine a 911 with a small battery bank instead of a rear seat, and the same arrangement as the current F1 regs: an electric power boosting motor, plus a motor to spin up the turbo.
I am fairly confident that car, with a lot of additional technology, is coming very soon, and when it does, it will obliterate the competition.
I feel bad for Shmee150. He just bought a 12C and it is already outdated.
God, I love this car...
The back. . . the back end. . . just bothers me :(
F1,+ 12C + 650S + P1 + garage = Car heaven + my garage = My Car Heaven
u forgot the MP4-C
I love it when the Brits review a car, They just make you love the car even more.
What about the feel? The problem people said with the 12c was that it was it was too robotic.
You just can't buy a 458 anymore. I hate to say it cause it's one of my favourite cars, but you just cannot!
I agree! Just because now you need to buy the Speciale
António Ramos
The Speciale is slower than the 12C, never mind the 650S. The McLaren is also much prettier.
IMHO, that's not true. The beauty question is subjective. I would take a ferrari over any McLaren.
António Ramos at least the McLaren looks like one car. The Ferrari is a complete and utter mess, and a very long way from pretty. In fact, there hasn't been a pretty mid-engined Ferrari since the 355...
***** Much prettier?? Are you joking?!?! At least the 650s is waay uglier than the 458 you have to admit, unless you, as im presuming a brit, are really that brainwashed to believe otherwise.
just dont tell schmee150
I just don't know what it is about the 12c/650s. At some points it looks amazing, seems amazing, and I would love it over the Gallardo/Huracan any day. It just seems so much more exotic. But then at other times it seems so boring. It looks boring, it sounds boring, reviewers look bored driving it, then I start leaning back to the Lamborghini. I guess when the time comes I just have to test drive both of them myself.
Still looking forward to a comparison between the 650S and the 458 Speciale. The 12C has been faster than the 458 Italia ever since it was introduced, but it was never the better car to drive; I'd love to see if that is still the case.
How would you know that lol I mean if you've driven both cars then just disregard what I've said, but you have no idea which one you'd enjoy more unless you've driven both
Drudell Kelly I can use my ears to listen to what the majority of reviewers tell me and millions of other people who bothered to watch their videos.
"The 12C has been faster than the 458 Italia ever since it was introduced"
in which galaxy? andromeda? ncg 4621?
12zaf1 Don't be delusional. I'm a person who likes Ferraris more than Mclarens, but the fact remains that the 12C has always been the faster car.
fact? again, you should specify in which universe that fact is as such, to start with.
Where's the fun in supercars anymore? They're mostly computers now, where something that's 6 months old feels ancient.
I couldn't tell, did he say he did or didn't like the steering in the 12c at 3:45 ?
Looks fresh in white!
Same front end doesn't bother me since the P1 will not be driven cuz of the exclusivity. This 650s would do it for me alone and save the other money for some other exotics . Maybe three
It's fantastic in every way, but I've seen it in person and it's still not pretty enough. It shouldn't have the P1 face. Still though I really want one...
I think it looks great, i just don't like the polished rims. The P1 rims look much nicer.
very different from harris' opinion. they've improved the sound also i think. looking forward to the track test!
I drive a Mclaren 650S and I got it for my 17th birthday
The looks are growing on me. The 12C is elegant and harmonious. This is striking from the front but it is a shame the back is essentially a 12C.
Incorrent, this Mclaren goes 3 seconds flat 0-60 WITH launch control. You didn't use launch control.
he said 0 - 100 mph
Chris Harris, who formerly worked at Autocar, drove this on track and claims it's not that much different than a 12C. Two varying opinions from two very British car journalists, who at one time, worked for the same magazine. Who to trust?
Didn't Chris Harris work for EVO?
I see Chris as a car hooligan who likes to have fun, but that is altogether honest. That can not be said about Steve. Too bad, he's very good at his work so it's a shame that he waste it. I can not take him serious since all the Range Rover-reviews. But I still appreciate all his reviews, as long as there are no British cars involved.
I always felt Autocar is very biased when it comes to a British car, regardless of prices. Their reviews are more inline when it comes to a product from Germany & Japan, which is better.
***** Clarkson isn't biased, its called entertainment. Plus if Clarkson says it is, then IT IS! who are you to claim otherwise?
Chris Harris' only real complaint with the 650S was that it doesn't have the greatest control for drifting with traction control turned off, which makes sense since he's a hooligan. He also noticed the turbo lag since he's driven a P1 (which has none) but that's hardly a fair comparison.
First time i saw that car i thought it was p1 haha, only realised its 650s when i saw it from side
Is it just me or do I still like the 12c better
The car is beautiful. I love the style and design. Curious about how much room the car has. I am 6'1" tall with long legs. I drove the Porsche 911 quite comfortably. I wonder if the Spider 650 S has the same amount of leg, hip and headroom.