[Italia]

Dear Folks,

I come to your forum as a new member and one full admiration of the 12C and more importantly what McLaren have achieved in F1.

In March this year I took delivery of a new 458 Italia after trading up from a 430 Spider.

Very recently I had the opportunity to test drive the 12C from the local dealer, the experience was a positive one and gave me the opportunity to admire the technology and more importantly compare the company's ethos and approach to building supercars. Having the carbon monocell on display in the showroom is always a good start when understanding the fundamentals.

The car is very quick, albeit I had 30 mins in built up city environs to drive it.

The build quality is exceptional and I particulary liked the ergonomics inside and the relationship the driver has with the cockpit. Dials, switches, TFT screens add to the high tech flavor. Loved the low windscreen positioning and perspective you get.

My brain was trying to get used to the eagerness of the car wanting to take off at stop lights and the shifting seemed slightly more "clunky" to engage compared to the 458. It's not a critical comment, just needed time to familiarise myself with a different approach and set up.

Stonking acceleration, no question when the turbos kickin and they do very quickly eliminating any sense of turbo lag.

It was a great opportunity to get an understanding of the 12C as it is a revered supercar.

In summing up, you have 2 incredible sparring partners with Ferrari on the road and on the circuits, a great match up and in the ideal world I would have one parked next to my 458, it is that impressive.

Looks great in titanium with lots of carbon enhancements.

 

[Senna1994]

Very well put. I have a 430 Coupe and was going to get a 458 Italia as well. Well McLaren Newport Beach lent me a 12 C for the weekend, and that was that.

Yesterday, I took delivery of a Carbon Black 12C with lots of Carbon. I could not be any happier, will post pics shortly.

 

[Markjayw]

Very well put. I have a 430 Coupe and was going to get a 458 Italia as well. Well McLaren Newport Beach lent me a 12 C for the weekend, and that was that.

Yesterday, I took delivery of a Carbon Black 12C with lots of Carbon. I could not be any happier, will post pics shortly.

Traitor! I remember you from FChat, congrats, sounds like a nicely spec'd car.

 

[Italia]

Very well put. I have a 430 Coupe and was going to get a 458 Italia as well. Well McLaren Newport Beach lent me a 12 C for the weekend, and that was that.

Yesterday, I took delivery of a Carbon Black 12C with lots of Carbon. I could not be any happier, will post pics shortly.

lLooking forward to those pics, I'm sure it will look very stealth like in carbon black!

Enjoy

 

[Italia]

Traitor! I remember you from FChat, congrats, sounds like a nicely spec'd car.

I have to say I'm really happy with the 458, it is exciting driving it slow and the sound it make when downshifting on the overrun is magic.

The 12C gives a lot back in driver satisfaction too, I was keen to sample this and it didn't dissappoint.

When is yours arriving?

Best

 

[andy c]

I have to say I'm really happy with the 458, it is exciting driving it slow and the sound it make when downshifting on the overrun is magic.

The 12C gives a lot back in driver satisfaction too, I was keen to sample this and it didn't dissappoint.

When is yours arriving?

Best

Not sure Mark wanted to hear that.!!! Its exciting driving it slow

 

[SSO]

Not sure Mark wanted to hear that.!!! Its exciting driving it slow

On a serious note, given the world we live in with all the speed cameras, restrictions, etc, making a car that is still exciting to drive at mid double digit speeds is key. If hte car does not come alive until you hit 120 mph, then it is going to be pretty horrible to sit in most of the time.

 

[andy c]

On a serious note, given the world we live in with all the speed cameras, restrictions, etc, making a car that is still exciting to drive at mid double digit speeds is key. If hte car does not come alive until you hit 120 mph, then it is going to be pretty horrible to sit in most of the time.

True,but people forget the 12c is an AND car,you can have all that if you put it in TRACK/TRACK for your DD to work,but it seems we have the best of all worlds because we never do !! That is unless i want to remind myself of what i used to have to put up with

 

[Private user]

On a serious note, given the world we live in with all the speed cameras, restrictions, etc, making a car that is still exciting to drive at mid double digit speeds is key. If hte car does not come alive until you hit 120 mph, then it is going to be pretty horrible to sit in most of the time.

MX5s all round then.

 

[roundincircles]

On a serious note, given the world we live in with all the speed cameras, restrictions, etc, making a car that is still exciting to drive at mid double digit speeds is key. If hte car does not come alive until you hit 120 mph, then it is going to be pretty horrible to sit in most of the time.

I remember rationalising buying a 911 in 1991 before the roads became congested........form memory the car population was 18 million in 1991 and it is now 32 million in the UK.

Now my favourite destination for traffic, police, lorry and camera free roads is Spain with wonderful scenery and restaurants. Get in the Pyrannees, Picos, Andalusia and the National Parks for great roads in great condition.

Or Scotland, if you can afford it. Or the USA.

But I agree, mid range thump is for real world unless your a track junky.

 

[6th element]

MX5s all round then.

It's an important debate, I think. The cars are getting more capable, seemingly at an exponential rate, while the driving conditions are getting worse. Two diametrically opposed realities. BMW is piping engine noise through the stereo. McLaren's induction noise is slightly less contrived. Ferrari is over-boosting the steering rack and other little "tricks". All ostensibly to convince us that we are not driving hyper-capable machines at a minute fraction of their potential.

I think I agree with the MX-5 comment. I'd rather flog a smaller car at 75% of its capabilities than have these superficial traits imposed upon my supercar.

 

[AugustWest]

Miatas are great daily drivers (if you don't need to take much with you). Great mileage, and using the brakes is optional most of the time. Park 'em anywhere, make U-turns with impunity. And when you get a chance at a twisty road - they're one of the most entertaining cars you can be in.

That said, yesterday I did Decker Canyon with the Chassis set to "Normal" (Powertrain was in "Track"). I was stunned at how terrific it handled, even in the softest chassis mode; the ride is so smooth you have the impression of flying just above the roadway...

 

[roundincircles]

There is a track in the UK called Bedford Autodrom, it has many bends and shreds brakes.

A few years back I was there in a 997 911 and cooked the fluid on the 3rd lap running straight on at a sharp bend.

The MX5 behind me continued to eat up the track miles so I asked the French driver if I could ride shotgun.

Wow, he gunned it through every bend with the chassis brilliantly balanced. I was astonished and asked what mods he had made. Non, apart from track day larger wheels was the reply. I was truly stunned by that car and driver.

 

[Markjayw]

There is a track in the UK called Bedford Autodrom, it has many bends and shreds brakes.

A few years back I was there in a 997 911 and cooked the fluid on the 3rd lap running straight on at a sharp bend.

The MX5 behind me continued to eat up the track miles so I asked the French driver if I could ride shotgun.

Wow, he gunned it through every bend with the chassis brilliantly balanced. I was astonished and asked what mods he had made. Non, apart from track day larger wheels was the reply. I was truly stunned by that car and driver.

The Miata has the coolest small shift handle of any car. Wish the newest model made more power, but still a very fun small cabriolet.

 

[AugustWest]

Pretty sure the Miata's shifter is considered to be the best currently available. So small, light and precise.

Funny - I'm sitting here wondering why I never had one!

 

[roundincircles]

Imagine it with a low pressure twin Turbo!!!

 

[TougeSpirit]

Actually, I think the S2000 and NSX have better shifters

 

[Squirrel]

On a serious note, given the world we live in with all the speed cameras, restrictions, etc, making a car that is still exciting to drive at mid double digit speeds is key. If hte car does not come alive until you hit 120 mph, then it is going to be pretty horrible to sit in most of the time.

You're 100% right, I love the way my 12C burbles, pops and crackles on the over-run at 3mph in 3rd, hinting at the engine's state of tune and performance that lies beneath...

I vote for manufacturers to focus even more on creating a spine tingling aural experience inside and outside the car at 30-40mph!!

 

[Goplay]

You're 100% right, I love the way my 12C burbles, pops and crackles on the over-run at 3mph in 3rd, hinting at the engine's state of tune and performance that lies beneath...

I vote for manufacturers to focus even more on creating a spine tingling aural experience inside and outside the car at 30-40mph!!

I love my 12C but it has nothing on the SLS Roadster with burbles and over-runs. Probably the best sounding big block out there!

 

[Squirrel]

I love my 12C but it has nothing on the SLS Roadster with burbles and over-runs. Probably the best sounding big block out there!

Agreed, Lets hope McLaren are reading and can dial in some extra low speed drama into the firmware.

It's funny because at the Wilton Supercar meet last weekend we drove in behind a Jaguar XKR and I heard a little boy comment that the jaguar roared like a lion and the 12C purred like a cat... Mind you the Jag owner was revving the manual XKR like a boy racer at every opportunity, something that's not easy to do with the 12C's DCT transmission!