458 vs McLaren MP4-12C--- Your thoughts?

That's exactly why I want one.

 

You want McFries with that?

 

Tru Dat.

It is a VERY impressive piece of Kit.

The Spyder and Super McLaren will be even better.

It will also make a very good race car and make GT2 much more interesting.

Hope they bring it to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.

We'll be waiting...

 

Before seeing it based on Photo's I thought Ferrari had nothing to worry about.

After seeing it and talking about it with them I'm not so sure.

 

It did look excellent in this color and from this angle! Got to have a MP4-12C one day. Thanks for sharing.

Edit: Also, those rims gave it that little extra "crazy" it needed to lift up the "tame" design. Just my humble opinion of course.

 

Turns out you're wrong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_records
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I think this car will hurt Ferrari specifically in countries where the Mclaren name is very strong due to F1. The car also looks great in the flesh.

If I had the money to upgrade my 355 I would choose it over a 458. Likewise I would much rather an F1 than an Enzo.

 

You look to be right.

Strangely they did make that claim at the unveiling.

I'll ask them what they meant.

I still very much believe that performance wise this will blow a 458 into the weeds and IF it looked a bit better it would be VERY serious competition to Ferrari.

That said the 458 is a lot better looker and many will chose it for that reason alone.

 

I'm afraid it will take much longer for Ferrari to develop a Spider,McLaren with it's carbon tub is already fit for a chopped top.
No need for any reinforcements....

 

Given Ferrari's history with the mid-engined V8 models I am sure they went into the development of the 458 Italia with plans for a Spider.

Interestingly:

>8^)
ER

 

There will definetely be a Spyder and a Supercar.

 

Two things comes to mind:

1)
I don't think it will be only the looks either, but more like brand snobbery... There are very few car enthusiasts out there who know about McLaren and their skills.
AFAIK most people will consider the MP4-12C as "another wannabe kit car from UK" the same way as Corvette is "just an ordinary American pimp mobile" in Europe.
But, if you have 200.000+ to spend on a car and want to raise eyebrows at most people, you're most likely going for the Ferrari.
Everybody knows Ferrari, the same way everybody know Rolex. To most people, you raise eyebrows by telling them that you have a Rolex (Ferrari). But the enthusiasts will probably raise eyebrows if they spot you wearing a Patek Philipe.

Just saying, I know that you know this stuff...

2)
With that said, every time the McLaren execs give interviews, they point on the fact that McLaren really wants to give a great ownership experience including excellent service. I'm sure there are a few supercar buyers/owners out there who are fed up with shabby Ferrari service...



This car is exciting me more and more, the same way when Carrera GT was coming out and everyone were speculating till their fingers bled.

 

I do wonder at what point the performance will be bragging rights only. It will take a track and skilled driver to put either car into the weed-blowing mode.

I just came back from a rally in WVa where I had a bad cooling fan and essentially drove as hard as I felt comfortable to keep the engine cool. I still never got near the limits of my lowly 355. These days, any high performance car means that much more go-power you just never get a chance to enjoy, unless you are a sociopath.

 

All Good points.

They told me that they had put a lot of thought into the ride with some trick suspension that will feel very comfortable most of the time but tighten up when pushed. It will be interesting to see how it drives.

I also think they will go very far to make overall ownership very nice with great service and parts availability.

Personally I'm a sucker for looks and Love Ferrari's but this car is serious and McLaren is too.

 

You cant seriously imagine that Ferrari dont already have the full spider design worked out (in fact I imagine they already have one built).
They could probably put it into production now, but there is no point while coupe demand stays strong


I wish Mclaren well but it just appears unrealistic to think that at their first attempt to build a car like this that they will come up with a fantastic car.
Look at the way that with all the Lamborghini/Audi knowledge they still cant get a 560/R8 engine which performs up to the 458 standard.

 

As far as I know it's not coming next year.....

 

I did the whole MP4 tour today at Mclaren having been on the 'interested' list since late '07.

Have to say it's an impressive option. Sure it's not as pretty as a 458 but they certainly give the impression that the ownership experience will be very special.

I suspect the quality at delivery and ongoing backup and support from Mclaren will be leagues ahead of Ferrari although of course there are still dealers involved and in the UK at least these are the same groups who have Ferrari dealerships.

I'm seriously tempted by the MP4, after all if I don't like it I can always change

 

F1 successor will be unveiled next year.

 

610hp and 1300kgs, enough said..

 

Here are some photos from the unveiling I was at..
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250 kg less than 458, but with 30 more hp (and even more torque because of the turbo)? It's going to be one serious piece of kit. And it's their baby supercar!

 

The Mclaren brand name is not popular in USA because F1 is also not as popular.For the rest of us F1 is the ultimate in motor racing and Over the F1 history Mclaren is the only serious rival. with their rich heritage there will be no shortage of customers. The bulk of it's first customers will be guys who own more than one exotic. The same guys who are top customers of lambo and Ferrari who don't pay above MSRP. with only 1000 pcs made in the first year, the Mclaren will be very sort after and very rare. There are already 2500 expression of interest. It will be a special car to own. I am planning to get one.

 

When will Top Gear do a comparison test ?

 

According to one person who attended the private previews at Pebble Beach customers will get to drive the cars beginning in December, ahead of the press getting their hands on the car. Don't expect Clarkson to be doing tire smoking pirouettes until next year sometime.

>8^)
ER

 

..don't be surprised if Top Gear gets their hands on one earlier than others though......