I think I like that its more understated than a Ferrari 458. Its still a super car with wings for doors so you won't go unnoticed but you won't get the same attention a bright red 458 does driving by the mall, sometimes a guy just needs to walk softly and carry a light saber.
this car is like having a song on your computer and having the best sound system money can buy, but the ferrari is like going to see the band live. it just has the (excuse the cheesy words) soul and passion that you want to have when you drive a car like that. you dont buy a supercar because of what it says on paper, you buy it with your heart.
@lazerblu thanks for that... honestly i wish that the mclaren was naturally aspirated rather than having this bi-turbo engine that it had. but would you choose this over the 458 italia?
@TheSnipingAssassin it's refreshing to see a comment from someone who actually drives these cars. I have driven the Aventador & the 458. Both very good cars but very different from one another. I'm staying in Newport Beach now on business & I'm gonna try to get a test drive in the McLaren (with an open mind).
@harpersneil to me its not completely black and white, I would say manual Vs Paddle is just a different experience. I was suprised how well Paddles actually work and although personally I would rather have a manual in cars with a great gearbox, paddles are also great and enable you to approach driving in a slightly different way. I would never have a paddle in a car with the option of a stick, (think mid 90s & 00s Ferraris) but paddles have their place too.
@MasterRyu3 Which Paddle shift hyper-cars have you driven? Besides those on your PS3? I WAY prefer a Manual transmission to an Auto. Auto car's are lifeless and non-interactive. But I've never driven a proper dual clutch paddle transmission and I'm guessing half the people who comment that they're boring, haven't either!
People are critical of the styling, but personally i think its amazing. They could have gone crazy, just like they could have made it a nightmare to handle, and only for the faint hearted, but they didnt, they have made an ultra fast car, which is easy to drive everyday. They've re-wrote the rule book again.
@Greendude33 I don't think there is any car which has in house built components, but I agree there are cars that give too much credit to they're country without being "home made" like for instance the Ford GT.
@Corveette If the time on the top gear test track is true than it's pretty much the perfect car, fast as the fastest track cars yet comfortable as a Rolls-Royce and also it's well equipped and well built.
@Verification11 LOL ! No ! It looks a lot like a Ferrari F430. And they say that in a lot of car magazines also. And what do you have against Lotus also ? They are nice cars.
@Stiggy37 It's an other ball game I agree but when you want to compare every Sportscar than go to the track and see for your self witch is best Like the Blancpain endurance series or European GT3 series than you have al the types in one race 458, MCLaren, 997RSR, R8, C6R, Z4, Gallardo.
@McLarenMercedes well ther it again is my i brough it back....because this battle goes back a long way which is a cool thing, the 458 is pretty hot car as well
@GT2SPA "scuderia" was only the name of stripped version of f430. if you remember stripped version of f360 was called "challenge stradale". so they will find a new name for hardcore 458 as well. MP4-12C and 458 Italia is direct competition of eachother. I beleive both will have faster versions and Lambo will join them somewhere along the way.
I own an NSX and considered it an innovative car awaiting an NSX replacement. As it stands, that isn't happening. Then I caught my eye on this beaut. I'm in love. What can I say. This is a perfect car. If I wanted my "ticker" on fire, I'll drive a crappy muscle car in the wet on slicks. I'll take the McLaren thank you much!
@JuditVrk Was this in response to my comment about keying a car? Haha. I was more referring to the fact that most people would be much more likely to key a Ferrari than an MP4. The McLaren is just a bit more subtle and less shouty.
@silverbullet1979 Check blancpain Endurance series GT3 or european GT3 series there you have your battle between 458, gallardo, R8, C6R, 997 RSR, MCLaren
I like it a lot. I wouldn't buy one for at least ten years, but its definitely on my radar. Being an American, I might wish the engine was a little bigger though.
It is really interesting to see that Autocar liked this car so much on the road while Fifth Gear hated it on the track. Seeing as most Ferrari/McLaren drivers will never take their cars to a track, it makes the two much more competitive. The McLaren's beauty is in its "form follows function" design; every component is unique and deliberate. The Ferrari has more of a traditional beauty.
Tony Haynes I had 2 Gallardos and one Ferrari 430... I bought the Mp4 last year and sold all of the other 3 ! This car is perfect! Don't try it you will get addicted !
@dreampilot2 Just to remind you the fenders are carbon as well, never saw the Top Gear show on the ZR-1 but I will look it up. This still does not change the car is amazing just cheap materials and no not the same as a R8! Where do you get I'm a kid? You have not said the magic word for a ride as well! But hey your a Chevy guy.
@Riiiisc When I learned to drive the first thing my dad did was put me in his 02' Z28... There is nothing more rewarding then being able to operate a proper manual gearbox. Trust me the time it takes is worth it. :)
@hammerphilosopher yep, which makes it a lot more fun to drive. I hate how everyone is putting paddle shifters these days, it takes the fun/thrill out of the driving experience.
@redbullrockstarable I stand corrected, thats what you get for relying on wikipedia for specs, I was looking at out-dated info from July 2010. At any rate 3/4 cars youve listed cant beat the F1's 0-60 time, the LP670-4 SV is the only one that ties it at 3.2. The Mclaren F1 LM over the MP4/12C is a no brainer.
@watduzhkstand4: [quote caranddriver] "Early in this project, McLaren engineering director Neil Hannemann nominated an engine for the MP4-12C that was originally developed in Nissan’s racing department. Nissan and Infiniti had raced this spinoff from the Infiniti Q45 V-8 at Le Mans (1997 and 1999) and in two Indy Racing League series (1997-2005)."
oh yes, now for a comparison test I've been dying to see this Mclaren to go head to head with the 458, or better yet a four way comparo throw some R8 and GALLARDO to the mix and the dream comparison will be fullfilled...
@harpersneil Im not rich or priveledged, but been lucky enough to drive the dual clutch Nissan GTR and I can tell you dual clutch is astonishing, ironically feels like a PS3 game the changes are so smooth, easy and instant
I can tell you what he is (and all testers are) about. Two main things about this car: It is more affective (faster) down the road then 458 ferrari and more comfortable. But it has no flare/ sparcle in it (hee says). He means that it will not drift like 458. They designed it more comfortable and safe to bee more effective. This is main consern for buyer. I would buy one definately!!!
@griphy oh no aston martins are great but they are partly owned by ford so not 100% british unfortunately. i still love aton martins tho especially the v8 vantage
And not only that with Ferrari well astablished dealer network, regular gatherings, trackdays...... Mclaren has a lot to cover before it will be wildly recognized by the public. And without a local dealer that can service/warantee work is quite the hassle if you ask me. And the Turbo charged engines are much more powerful than the 458 but it just lacks that high revving Ferrari sound that stir your soul everytime you touch that little red button on the steering wheel...... both great car...
@mkygod I agree, there nothing like a Ferrari aspecially in GT spec. it's like music when it's down shifting and when it's in the pitlimitter, check my vids
@MasterRyu3 there are several naturally aspirated cars that make more hp than the F1...Aston Martin One-77 @ 750hp, Enzo and MC12 are well over 600hp, 599 GTO is in the 650+ range...however for its time its incredible.
@ThySirAhsan Oh well, you're right... I think that PASSION is no compromise: but that's not the case of the SLR, and not of the MP4-12C (first of all for the supercharged engine - it has spoiled the SLR: the weight of the turbo, og the cooling system, etc. didn't allow McLaren to make the best car ever - and they are making the same error, for what? 20 g/CO2 less?) And is it worth paying 200k euros for a car that doesn't look as a supercar? And nothing sound like a 4.5 naturally aspired
HA! Love that in the beginning. "You should probably look away right now, if you drive a Ferrari 458 Italia."
I think I like that its more understated than a Ferrari 458. Its still a super car with wings for doors so you won't go unnoticed but you won't get the same attention a bright red 458 does driving by the mall, sometimes a guy just needs to walk softly and carry a light saber.
this car is like having a song on your computer and having the best sound system money can buy, but the ferrari is like going to see the band live. it just has the (excuse the cheesy words) soul and passion that you want to have when you drive a car like that. you dont buy a supercar because of what it says on paper, you buy it with your heart.
@lazerblu thanks for that... honestly i wish that the mclaren was naturally aspirated rather than having this bi-turbo engine that it had. but would you choose this over the 458 italia?
@TheSnipingAssassin it's refreshing to see a comment from someone who actually drives these cars. I have driven the Aventador & the 458. Both very good cars but very different from one another. I'm staying in Newport Beach now on business & I'm gonna try to get a test drive in the McLaren (with an open mind).
Best video so far, Steve.
@kozadongre Basically means the monocoque pod that you sit in (roof/floor etc) is carbon fibre with aluminium subframes bolted to each end.
@Chrisatyt01 actually the last maclare f1 which had a centered seat also had two more seats, one on each side.
Sick car!
'Mugs the tarmac'
You've got to luv this car!
Really really engaging review. Kudos to this guy for a job well done.
Direct quote: "It is head and shoulders above anything else at this level, the 458 included".
God it got the power down so well coming out of those corners.
First road test of any depth - well done Steve/Autocar. I guess the lack of 'flash' compared to the 458 maybe makes it a better 'everyday supercar'
i think the MP4, especially the new ones, sound cool in their own unique way.
@harpersneil to me its not completely black and white, I would say manual Vs Paddle is just a different experience. I was suprised how well Paddles actually work and although personally I would rather have a manual in cars with a great gearbox, paddles are also great and enable you to approach driving in a slightly different way. I would never have a paddle in a car with the option of a stick, (think mid 90s & 00s Ferraris) but paddles have their place too.
@Horizonz2 what's even weirder is that it's a british car on a british motoring show but the wheel's on the left side lol
I think it would come down to the scheduled maintenance program for me to decide
Great review! Can't wait to 16. March :-)
@MasterRyu3 Which Paddle shift hyper-cars have you driven? Besides those on your PS3?
I WAY prefer a Manual transmission to an Auto. Auto car's are lifeless and non-interactive. But I've never driven a proper dual clutch paddle transmission and I'm guessing half the people who comment that they're boring, haven't either!
were do you go for service; seen any Mclaren dealers around the states ?
People are critical of the styling, but personally i think its amazing. They could have gone crazy, just like they could have made it a nightmare to handle, and only for the faint hearted, but they didnt, they have made an ultra fast car, which is easy to drive everyday.
They've re-wrote the rule book again.
Love this car
@CHRISatYT01
Yeah you could: they'd be sitting either side and out of sight, where they should be when we're driving.
@kubahobo It's no replacement because it costs exactly a quarter now of what the F1 cost in the early 90's.
@Greendude33 I don't think there is any car which has in house built components, but I agree there are cars that give too much credit to they're country without being "home made" like for instance the Ford GT.
Love that it actually SOUNDS like a V8. Not a big fan of V8s with flat plane cranks, though the F355 sounds sensational.
I love mclaren. The only true british car manufacturer that u can be proud of. It would be a dream to work for them
@Corveette If the time on the top gear test track is true than it's pretty much the perfect car, fast as the fastest track cars yet comfortable as a Rolls-Royce and also it's well equipped and well built.
Isn't the Lexus LFA also a carbon fibre tub too?
Can't wait for this on the top gear test track!
@SPMNDK89 Yes of course. But I also work for ricardos in shoreham which is where the engine is developed.
The amazing thing about this car is this the baby of the range, the 1.2 lx. Imagine what the F1 successor will be like.....
@Verification11 LOL ! No ! It looks a lot like a Ferrari F430. And they say that in a lot of car magazines also. And what do you have against Lotus also ? They are nice cars.
since this mclaren is a bi-turbo V8 does it mean it's not naturally aspirated? just curious.
@MasterRyu3 And also, the F1 is manual box, which is quite interesting :)
@GT2SPA thanks a lot for the advice, but I mean the road cars not the race spec ones...
@yellow6ird and self develop V8 too, wish the Esprit will be right in the mix of this awesome battle!
@clarkm3568 My thoughts exactly.i would say that the same goes for the Ascari KZ1
@Stiggy37 It's an other ball game I agree but when you want to compare every Sportscar than go to the track and see for your self witch is best Like the Blancpain endurance series or European GT3 series than you have al the types in one race 458, MCLaren, 997RSR, R8, C6R, Z4, Gallardo.
@McLarenMercedes well ther it again is my i brough it back....because this battle goes back a long way which is a cool thing, the 458 is pretty hot car as well
@GT2SPA "scuderia" was only the name of stripped version of f430. if you remember stripped version of f360 was called "challenge stradale". so they will find a new name for hardcore 458 as well.
MP4-12C and 458 Italia is direct competition of eachother. I beleive both will have faster versions and Lambo will join them somewhere along the way.
Love the Robocop metallic-gray paintjob.
Classier than Robocop 2's blue-ish hue, in my opinion.
@ev1le9
McLaren dealers are offering free pick up and delivery.
@bonzie1645
Yes, all turbo's, and superchargers for that matter are forced induction.
I own an NSX and considered it an innovative car awaiting an NSX replacement. As it stands, that isn't happening. Then I caught my eye on this beaut. I'm in love. What can I say. This is a perfect car. If I wanted my "ticker" on fire, I'll drive a crappy muscle car in the wet on slicks. I'll take the McLaren thank you much!
@JuditVrk Was this in response to my comment about keying a car? Haha.
I was more referring to the fact that most people would be much more likely to key a Ferrari than an MP4. The McLaren is just a bit more subtle and less shouty.
@silverbullet1979 Check blancpain Endurance series GT3 or european GT3 series there you have your battle between 458, gallardo, R8, C6R, 997 RSR, MCLaren
@SuperLC1010 is the 997 GT2 RS magnificent in terms of beauty? huh?
Brilliant car. I think I should have had the v12 in the mclaren f1 but with 2 turbos.
I like it a lot. I wouldn't buy one for at least ten years, but its definitely on my radar. Being an American, I might wish the engine was a little bigger though.
It is really interesting to see that Autocar liked this car so much on the road while Fifth Gear hated it on the track. Seeing as most Ferrari/McLaren drivers will never take their cars to a track, it makes the two much more competitive. The McLaren's beauty is in its "form follows function" design; every component is unique and deliberate. The Ferrari has more of a traditional beauty.
Can't wait to see this on the Top Gear test track!
Quicker than the 458, the Enzo, even the Bugatti Veyron! Nuff sed. (before upgrades)
@TheMaurob1979 go to wikipedia "MP4-12C that was originally developed in Nissan’s racing department"
However, is it a better buy and more interesting to drive than a Gallardo spider please?
Tony Haynes I had 2 Gallardos and one Ferrari 430... I bought the Mp4 last year and sold all of the other 3 ! This car is perfect! Don't try it you will get addicted !
@redbullrockstarable McL LM has 680bhp from 6.1L and this engine now is 16 years old
@dreampilot2 Just to remind you the fenders are carbon as well, never saw the Top Gear show on the ZR-1 but I will look it up. This still does not change the car is amazing just cheap materials and no not the same as a R8! Where do you get I'm a kid? You have not said the magic word for a ride as well! But hey your a Chevy guy.
Is this car the same as the Chrysler ME412?
Best car ever!
@Riiiisc When I learned to drive the first thing my dad did was put me in his 02' Z28... There is nothing more rewarding then being able to operate a proper manual gearbox. Trust me the time it takes is worth it. :)
@carcrazzy247 Just curious if the ME412 was built on the same concept?
watch?v=ShDpktDSV7I
@hasnainbashir1 What about Aston Martin?
I wonder what this thing will clock at the ring.
@MasterRyu3 I reckon they should give you the option. :)
@sspope i sincerely hope there is=] something better than the 12C to revive the legend of McLaren.
Autocar, please do a comparison test between this and the Ferrari 458 Italia.
I'd like to know what you lot think about these two.
How would one acquire such a vehicle?
@seroyer2 1990 Bronco. With the exclusive rust package. =P
@hammerphilosopher yep, which makes it a lot more fun to drive. I hate how everyone is putting paddle shifters these days, it takes the fun/thrill out of the driving experience.
@redbullrockstarable I stand corrected, thats what you get for relying on wikipedia for specs, I was looking at out-dated info from July 2010. At any rate 3/4 cars youve listed cant beat the F1's 0-60 time, the LP670-4 SV is the only one that ties it at 3.2. The Mclaren F1 LM over the MP4/12C is a no brainer.
@SuperchargerFahad
Aw f'in come on mate, look at the rear of the Mclaren?
The boys in Maranello are probably holding a gun to their engineers' heads until a 458 Scuderia is produced.
@mer3y123 A 911 does not have a V6 either.
@watduzhkstand4: [quote caranddriver] "Early in this project, McLaren engineering director Neil Hannemann nominated an engine for the MP4-12C that was originally developed in Nissan’s racing department. Nissan and Infiniti had raced this spinoff from the Infiniti Q45 V-8 at Le Mans (1997 and 1999) and in two Indy Racing League series (1997-2005)."
@GT2SPA Well, means nothing as McLaren will probably release a special version of the MP4-12C to...
oh yes, now for a comparison test I've been dying to see this Mclaren to go head to head with the 458, or better yet a four way comparo throw some R8 and GALLARDO to the mix and the dream comparison will be fullfilled...
Very snazzy sunglasses.
@hasnainbashir1 Aston Martin is independently owned now - it is it's own company. Ford sold the controlling interest a couple of years ago.
@GamseForPc they talk about the mc laren f1.
@dreampilot2 I'm a ferrari's men, but I have to admit that the sound of a Corvette C6R GT2 is brutal.
@harpersneil Im not rich or priveledged, but been lucky enough to drive the dual clutch Nissan GTR and I can tell you dual clutch is astonishing, ironically feels like a PS3 game the changes are so smooth, easy and instant
@pmc524 whats a diecast?
Guys, we don't need words and reviews, we need NUMBERS!
I can tell you what he is (and all testers are) about. Two main things about this car:
It is more affective (faster) down the road then 458 ferrari and more comfortable.
But it has no flare/ sparcle in it (hee says). He means that it will not drift like 458. They designed it more comfortable and safe to bee more effective.
This is main consern for buyer. I would buy one definately!!!
nice one
@griphy
oh no aston martins are great but they are partly owned by ford so not 100% british unfortunately. i still love aton martins tho especially the v8 vantage
Very good reviewer.
It lacks a good noise, appart from that, it's pretty epic =)
WHYYYYY does it sound so tamed?
Why does it have an open diff?
And not only that with Ferrari well astablished dealer network, regular gatherings, trackdays...... Mclaren has a lot to cover before it will be wildly recognized by the public. And without a local dealer that can service/warantee work is quite the hassle if you ask me. And the Turbo charged engines are much more powerful than the 458 but it just lacks that high revving Ferrari sound that stir your soul everytime you touch that little red button on the steering wheel...... both great car...
@mkygod I agree, there nothing like a Ferrari aspecially in GT spec. it's like music when it's down shifting and when it's in the pitlimitter, check my vids
@MasterRyu3 there are several naturally aspirated cars that make more hp than the F1...Aston Martin One-77 @ 750hp, Enzo and MC12 are well over 600hp, 599 GTO is in the 650+ range...however for its time its incredible.
how did they manage to screw 3.1 to 60mph out of just 500 something horses !
McLaren FTW!!!
@MasterRyu3 aston martin one-77 is actually the most powerful NA engine with 750hp :)
HOLY FUCK I CANT WAIT TO DRIVE IT IN FM4!!!!
@MrShmiddi Because the 458 was a benchmark. But as we can see not anymore.
良い車ですね。
@ThySirAhsan Oh well, you're right... I think that PASSION is no compromise: but that's not the case of the SLR, and not of the MP4-12C (first of all for the supercharged engine - it has spoiled the SLR: the weight of the turbo, og the cooling system, etc. didn't allow McLaren to make the best car ever - and they are making the same error, for what? 20 g/CO2 less?) And is it worth paying 200k euros for a car that doesn't look as a supercar? And nothing sound like a 4.5 naturally aspired
soo it's fast, it's cool but the thing is will it BLEND