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Well I finally had a test drive, under blue sky, in the company of a very knowledgeable and helpful co-pilot from McLaren London, Mark.
Let me say from the outset that this car is everything it claims to be and more with the test drive proving( although on public roads ) and confirming the performance is on a level that few will reach ( or take many miles of learning ) but at the same time capable of being civilised and thus usable in all situations.
It's ballistic like no other car I have been in and sticks to the road like it's glued on rails. The tyre feedback as speed increases fills you with confidence and I imagine a track environment will astonish drivers with it's capability.
The shear drive of the engine from fairly low revs is laugh out loud unbelievable - a real shocker as the never ending thrust seemingly arrives with no effort - so the engine just spins and spins with no resistance, the porting and breathing must be perfect.
The sports exhaust emits a deep guttural symphony of entertainment, fabulous and does raise the question what the journalists were wanting? But it can be all day quiet in normal mode for those long trips or when in town.
The gearbox works fine and the paddles always in place with, for me, perfect Haptic when pulled forward but too hard to push with my fingers as Lewis does in his track runabout. I liked the paddles and ease of use with instant response.
Steering is light at low speeds but you have no doubt that it will turn at your chosen point with trusted accuracy. The car is so easy to place on the road, contributed to by seating position, very low and wide screen, suspension composure and steering predictability that it adds to the pace and enjoyment. I found the 458, by way of contrast, physically wide and restrictive on country roads but it is only and inch wider so the MP12's seating etc really makes it place-able which is important for fast safe pace.
The big shock for me was the suspension and ride quality. It is so different it ' throws' you to begin with as it is so compliant and comforting - no jarring, vibration or tyre thumping sensations, a la 458 or Porcshe, just serene progress. But change the settings, which have distinctive qualities, and the car stiffens up to your command. The sport/sport setting was perfect for spirited road use. The track setting allows no body movement with fast steering and throttle response. What 'throws' you is that you just don't expect to have the combination of compliant ride and ballistic performance in a car.
The seats and sitting position are perfect. All day perfect. I'm 6'2" and it was easy to get the steering wheel and seat just so with lots of adjustment in all directions. The first car for me that has a steering wheel that can be set perfectly.......why aren't all cars like this......isn't the steering wheel and it's position key for control and comfort?
Fit and finish - as good as anything else with the interior probably as good as it will get, paint perfect and panel gaps OK. I'm sure McLaren will improve as time passes just like Porsche and Ferrari have but the key issue, especially for early adopters, is that early cars are to a high standard and you will have to be 'picky' to spot areas of improvement.
Concerns - two. The brakes are awesome and the spoiler popping up adds entertainment, but on this car there was a small amount of travel before they bit the discs and I found that off-putting but I'm sure it's solvable with ease. Secondly the exhaust, do you get the sports one which is awesome or the liveable standard one?
My conclusion, McLaren are producing an awesome performance and dramatic sports car that can deliver on it's promises. It is usable in all types of driving or journeys and can be serene or warp fantastic ballistic, your choice - at your command
Let me say from the outset that this car is everything it claims to be and more with the test drive proving( although on public roads ) and confirming the performance is on a level that few will reach ( or take many miles of learning ) but at the same time capable of being civilised and thus usable in all situations.
It's ballistic like no other car I have been in and sticks to the road like it's glued on rails. The tyre feedback as speed increases fills you with confidence and I imagine a track environment will astonish drivers with it's capability.
The shear drive of the engine from fairly low revs is laugh out loud unbelievable - a real shocker as the never ending thrust seemingly arrives with no effort - so the engine just spins and spins with no resistance, the porting and breathing must be perfect.
The sports exhaust emits a deep guttural symphony of entertainment, fabulous and does raise the question what the journalists were wanting? But it can be all day quiet in normal mode for those long trips or when in town.
The gearbox works fine and the paddles always in place with, for me, perfect Haptic when pulled forward but too hard to push with my fingers as Lewis does in his track runabout. I liked the paddles and ease of use with instant response.
Steering is light at low speeds but you have no doubt that it will turn at your chosen point with trusted accuracy. The car is so easy to place on the road, contributed to by seating position, very low and wide screen, suspension composure and steering predictability that it adds to the pace and enjoyment. I found the 458, by way of contrast, physically wide and restrictive on country roads but it is only and inch wider so the MP12's seating etc really makes it place-able which is important for fast safe pace.
The big shock for me was the suspension and ride quality. It is so different it ' throws' you to begin with as it is so compliant and comforting - no jarring, vibration or tyre thumping sensations, a la 458 or Porcshe, just serene progress. But change the settings, which have distinctive qualities, and the car stiffens up to your command. The sport/sport setting was perfect for spirited road use. The track setting allows no body movement with fast steering and throttle response. What 'throws' you is that you just don't expect to have the combination of compliant ride and ballistic performance in a car.
The seats and sitting position are perfect. All day perfect. I'm 6'2" and it was easy to get the steering wheel and seat just so with lots of adjustment in all directions. The first car for me that has a steering wheel that can be set perfectly.......why aren't all cars like this......isn't the steering wheel and it's position key for control and comfort?
Fit and finish - as good as anything else with the interior probably as good as it will get, paint perfect and panel gaps OK. I'm sure McLaren will improve as time passes just like Porsche and Ferrari have but the key issue, especially for early adopters, is that early cars are to a high standard and you will have to be 'picky' to spot areas of improvement.
Concerns - two. The brakes are awesome and the spoiler popping up adds entertainment, but on this car there was a small amount of travel before they bit the discs and I found that off-putting but I'm sure it's solvable with ease. Secondly the exhaust, do you get the sports one which is awesome or the liveable standard one?
My conclusion, McLaren are producing an awesome performance and dramatic sports car that can deliver on it's promises. It is usable in all types of driving or journeys and can be serene or warp fantastic ballistic, your choice - at your command
