[Torbin]

McLaren obviously has a storied racing history. How will their road cars fare against the established brands like Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, etc?

Reliability, dealer network, resale value, lasting design, production challenges, marketing prowess, management finesse and other required factors that lead to a successful automaker.

This groundbreaking car is all new territory for McLaren. Are they ready?

 

[RWD]

I sure hope they have success, it certainly makes the exotic market more exciting, and more difficult to make a purchase decision now. Ferrari is still the dominant player in terms of volume, with the number of F430s made, there is clearly a growing market for these cars.

 

[ECSofVirginia]

I suspect the same pattern applies to Exotic Cars as does general retail products: Any brand that hasn't established their foothold 50yrs ago will obtain a "cult" status or become a fad and pass.

I'm sure McLaren can build a road car that will establish a strong following, just not in the significant numbers Ferrari and Lambo have...that comes from heritage.

When does Jeremy Clarkson get a hold of one and show us how gracefully it power slides?!?!?!

 

[RWD]

I suspect the same pattern applies to Exotic Cars as does general retail products: Any brand that hasn't established their foothold 50yrs ago will obtain a "cult" status or become a fad and pass.

I'm sure McLaren can build a road car that will establish a strong following, just not in the significant numbers Ferrari and Lambo have...that comes from heritage.

When does Jeremy Clarkson get a hold of one and show us how gracefully it power slides?!?!?!

That is an excellent question on Jeremy. Hopefully soon.

As for heritage, I think because they have an F1 team with history that will help them on some fronts. Either way, the exotic market is about to get all the more interesting.

 

[RWD]

I particularly like this quote (found in the PDF I just posted):

“I am confident that now is the right time for McLaren Automotive to become a full line high
performance sports car manufacturer,” stated Ron Dennis.

“Worldwide demand for high performance cars is strong, in large part because of great cars
from great competitors. With McLaren joining that list, it will grow stronger still. What we are
offering is a new approach to the market, through a skilled, solid, debt-free and risk-managed company. McLaren is right to take this step now and support future growth of high-technology
manufacturing and engineering jobs in the UK,” Dennis declared.

 

[Flatshift]

Think so. They have extensive experience building the not exactly great Merc McLaren SLR

 

[RoadTripper]

Without doubt, McLaren will do well. From what I read about Mr. Dennis, he is one anal retentive guy. I think I read employees can't eat at their desks or have personal items at their desks. I'm not saying that helps productivity, but the guy has clearly built a very successful race program over the decades. I assume that will translate well on the road car side of the business.

An d yes, Jeremy needs to race the McLaren in reverse around the track against a golf cart (going forward). They will do something nutty and highly entertaining I am sure...after power sliding it for a few glory camera shots.

 

[TAG]

McLaren is here to stay.

 

[F.C.]

Is mclaren ready for the road?

Obviously not, why let Topgear magazine have one present at Dunsfold for a day and not let them drive it?

I have a suspicion that there are still some teething issues with the car and that is why there are no press road tests currently.

I'm sure they won't release this car to the masses until they are certain it won't throw a wobbly on a press junket ala Noble M600; at Bruntingthorpe recently the Noble aledgedly had a rather big problem whilst Autocar were testing it. (though they chose not to metion this in their recent Ferrari, Lexus, Porsche and Noble group test).

 

[TAG]

are you ready for mclaren?

 

[Torbin]

F.C., if you were correct in your hunch about teething problems when you made your post, they are now on the media circuit hot and heavy and from the press, they are well buttoned down and in the hunt to pass Ferrari.

If you take the articles at face value (excl PR spin), the McLaren is utterly buttoned down in a way that could only be done by an F1-related group.

Think about this, Ferrari's 458 was an engineering evolution of the F430/360/etc. Lamborghini has Audi/VW engineering and financing behind the Gallardo - stellar driving car by the way, which is often totally over looked (should I say ignored) by those blinded by the prancing horse's brilliance.

Then here comes the McLaren with a perfect new-to-the-world vehicle launch. Time will tell, but this is a big f*g deal what have just done. I haven't driven it but the mags are extremely positive with little to no negative feedback.

Think of all the other cars that try to do this and end up on the side line, even Spyker is really on the side lines when the history is written 10 years from now (ignoring Saab).

I think there is a huge wave (technology, design, engineering, marketing) and McLaren is riding it superbly. We will see how the dealer network, warranty, resale fare but that will take another year or two.

 

[RoadTripper]

Somebody has had some Ferrari issues! Care to share a few war stories? We all have had our headaches...

Looking forward to the full roll-out of this new McLaren. So much is still unknown. Lots of things to discover with this new road car brand (1990s F1 doesn't count, nor does the heavy SLR).

 

[Senna]

I have a McLaren in house training guide managed to get my hands on it from a friend there and it talks about what they need to know. Ron is the man read " What drives us is passion - cut us and we bleed McLaren. the 12c fully reflects that focus, drive and determination in its performance, style and desirability."

awsome

What sort of training guide did you get ?, a technical one on the 12C or some internal marketing guide ??

 

[andy c]

competitor brief Porsche 911 turbo (997) & Ferrari 458 Italia

This car is not a competitor to the 997 turbo,ive had several,and the 12c is at least 1,1/2 steps above.As Ron says a Hypercar at supercar money,well at least up to 300kph