[Moncho]

Finally got to go see and drive the 12c in Dallas. Most things have already been said, but here are a few of my impressions.
First of all, it looks amazing! Like many people have said, the photos don't do it justice. Anybody who says this car is ugly or uninspiring has not seen it in person! I even liked the back end, which is my least favorite angle.
The drive... It feels like a better built much faster Lotus Evora S. Great steering feel and lite.
The seating position was tricky for me. I'm 5'10, but it was hard to find the perfect adjustment. I'll have to play with it more. I do feel there is a little lag on acceleration. The throttle pedal is under-responsive early on... And then ballistic! I'd like a more responsive pedal early. The brakes are a bit hard, and take a little getting used to for good modulation. Braking is excellent with the standard brakes. Ride is excellent as most have described. The cabin noise is ok. The extra noise in sport and track modes feels artificial and a little intrusive... Like turning the radio volume up. I don't think it's necessary. Mclaren shouldn't have listened to the critics. It does sound very nice with the sports exhaust from the outside.
Other thoughts; the iris is mandatory and still non-functional, yet 30% off (per the salesman).
I realize this may be over-critical, like disliking Hale Berry because she has ugly toes, but I tend to be a critical person.
In summary; great car, not perfect... And I can't wait for mine!!))

 

[Squirrel]

I do feel there is a little lag on acceleration. The throttle pedal is under-responsive early on... And then ballistic! I'd like a more responsive pedal early... The extra noise in sport and track modes feels artificial and a little intrusive... Like turning the radio volume up. I don't think it's necessary. Mclaren shouldn't have listened to the critics.

+1

McLaren Birmingham have kindly disabled the engine sound amplification system by removing the pipework & sealing the ducts between the the plenum chamber and the cabin... (reversible). I asked McLaren to make the system user-switchable via the Iris interface...

Now I can drive I any mode without that artificially boosted induction sound

 

[andy c]

+1

McLaren Birmingham have kindly disabled the engine sound amplification system by removing the pipework & sealing the ducts between the the plenum chamber and the cabin... (reversible). I asked McLaren to make the system user-switchable via the Iris interface...

Now I can drive I any mode without that artificially boosted induction sound

Good Idea Squirrel I was tempted to stuff an oily rag in it,to reduce the sound and get the authentic british car smell in the cabin,but thats not Mclaren,so controlled the urge.

 

[andy c]

Finally got to go see and drive the 12c in Dallas. Most things have already been said, but here are a few of my impressions.
First of all, it looks amazing! Like many people have said, the photos don't do it justice. Anybody who says this car is ugly or uninspiring has not seen it in person! I even liked the back end, which is my least favorite angle.
The drive... It feels like a better built much faster Lotus Evora S. Great steering feel and lite.
The seating position was tricky for me. I'm 5'10, but it was hard to find the perfect adjustment. I'll have to play with it more. I do feel there is a little lag on acceleration. The throttle pedal is under-responsive early on... And then ballistic! I'd like a more responsive pedal early. The brakes are a bit hard, and take a little getting used to for good modulation. Braking is excellent with the standard brakes. Ride is excellent as most have described. The cabin noise is ok. The extra noise in sport and track modes feels artificial and a little intrusive... Like turning the radio volume up. I don't think it's necessary. Mclaren shouldn't have listened to the critics. It does sound very nice with the sports exhaust from the outside.
Other thoughts; the iris is mandatory and still non-functional, yet 30% off (per the salesman).
I realize this may be over-critical, like disliking Hale Berry because she has ugly toes, but I tend to be a critical person.
In summary; great car, not perfect... And I can't wait for mine!!))

Not perfect Mochu!! Great it does have character then,thanks for the review

 

[falb]

Moncho, Can you define early?

 

[Moncho]

Moncho, Can you define early?

I guess what I'm trying to say is you have to press the accelerator a bit too far (IMO), before the car moves. The pedal is a little insensitive.
The brakes are the opposite, they brake immediately. Though you do need to push hard.

 

[falb]

Sounds more like throttle tip-in rate than turbo lag.

It is nice to have the throttle modulate accurately, ideally 1:1. Many, read nearly all lesser cars have an aggressive throttle tip-in to give you that, "I barely touched the gas and it took off!" during your test drive....helps to sell cars and that is about it.

 

[Moncho]

Sounds more like throttle tip-in rate than turbo lag.


I think it's a little of both

 

[andy c]

Sounds more like throttle tip-in rate than turbo lag.


I think it's a little of both

Not sure,its certainly more responsive than a 997tt, and that has little lag because of the VVT turbos,but i know what you mean,it will be interesting to know what you think falb,being a racer.Im sure Chris Goodwin set it up this way for a purpose,and your decription sounds sensable

 

[roundincircles]

Is the slow throttle to avoid problems on wet streets in town centres when people get heavy footed? Or exiting roundabouts?

Remember 99% of TVR's were smacked up exiting roundabouts.

 

[andy c]

Is the slow throttle to avoid problems on wet streets in town centres when people get heavy footed? Or exiting roundabouts?

Remember 99% of TVR's were smacked up exiting roundabouts.

I think more to modulate it,you can still boot it if you want to be brutal,but then the systems help you out of the s--t if you have little sympathy with the car