458 Italia vs McLaren MP4 Blighty - The UK press decides

The front is an "acquired taste" I admit. I've gotten used to it.

But, once I sat in the 458 interior, I really liked it. From photos, I will admit it can look bizzarre.

 

Well, actually, the interior quality (not the layout) is a big leap forward for Ferrari.

 

I'm not crazy about the 2 TFT screens. There's "too much information". I wish they would let the owners program the graphics as they wanted to see them. Or, turn them off and just have a simple speed and basic info running.

I didn't order the Nav for that reason. It seems awful fussy.

Not everything Ferrari does am I happy about. My F430 has a list of things I'd have done differently a mile long. But, it was still the best car I've ever owned.

 

I'm mechanical engineer with automotive specialisation so I don't need wiki for kerb or curb weight definition ...
Ferrari declare weight as delivered to customer, so not a kerb weight
I believe you about the US brochure but you believe me cos chassis of the 458 have 3 drawing numbers ... two for Europe and rest of the world (L/R drive) and one for US ...
I'm waiting for English EVO scans to clarify this weight issue ...
About 430 scuderia, it depends once again form many carbon fiber options you have.
A full CF optional 430 Scuderia with tank fuel filled up is about 1383 Kg.

 

I think you can well see how he has a hard time controlling the car exiting a corner. The turbo's come on so strong it overwhelms the traction available. I drove one of these on track and found it difficult to control and I drove a GT3 Cup Car in the Rolex series and now race a GT3 RSR in historic racing so I know how a good 911 handles

 

I am not trying to give you lectures, just clarifying definitions for the peanut gallery.
The cars weighed on the forum were with the US carbon package. So, that's at most 40 lbs of difference between the two specs.

 

Krzys, I don't think you should cancel your order. At the very least, go for a test drive before pulling the plug.

 

Sure, I will test drive it first (which is guess not till September from the looks of it).

 

They are supposed to get one in Las Vegas in November. I'd like to drive it.

 

Good article in the new C&D about USA Cars having to be heavier due to Manufacturers having to make the packaging in case the Occupants are not using Seat Belts. If they did not have to follow this, cars would be lighter due to the Safety Cell requirements.

 

I remember very vaguely that years back Ferrari got exception from this requirement for f430. There was a discussion here then, if they would be forced to stop production at some point. I might be confusing something, though.

 

Kryzs: I'm not picking on you but I have a serious question. You seem to know what's going on over there.

Are they every gonna make any of these? I don't think they've delivered one customer car yet. They revealed this thing about the same time Ferrari showed the 458 for the first time. It's almost July. With the summer holidays coming up, it seems unlikely they will send any to the US this year.

What's the delay? Were they just overly aggressive in the schedule or are they having problems getting production started?

 

An interesting set of results if they turn out to be true......

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/mclaren-mp4-12cfastest-at-the-top-gear-track-ar109732.html

 

Honestly, I would not be surprised. I don't think many of us would.

 

I don't think that time is accurate. IMVHO, there is no car in existence with doors and a roof that can touch an Ariel Atom V8.

If it's faster than the Veyron SS, I would be extremely impressed.

 

If it's not true, the dealer leaking the information will look like an a$$, especially after the 4 magazine tests released these past weeks.

I think it's true, but McLaren CHEATED!!!!

 

They have two month delay due to a change in Iris supplier, but it's not gonna affect US cars. They are making the cars and waiting for the Iris retrofit. So the delay will only affect UK.

 

Ok, the big comedy part of that link is that I know exactly the source of the leak. Ok, guys, try and guess. It's not that hard.

 

Can't people just say they don't want IRIS can get their cars ontime? It seems silly to delay everyone just for the stereo and Nav on a supercar. Next you'll tell me they are delayed because of the vanity mirror maker is late on delivery.

 

No, they made it into mandatory option.

 

Oh.... really? Why? They just wanted more money? Or, the car really needs it?

That decision cost them a lot of money. Forcing people to take an option that's delayed production several months was not a good business decision.

 

First the requirement, then the delay. I don't really know the reason for it. Supposedly they want to make over-the-air updates to the car and Iris comes with wi-fi.

 

So, if you want an update, you have to get your car next to an internet connection? Maybe park it in a Starbucks parking lot?

If it's that important, it should be standard. Let's say you don't check IRIS and you are 400 miles to the dealer. If there's an update, the car still has to be transported to the dealer.

I understand that if you want a Ferrari update, you have to take it to a dealer but really... does a car that goes 200mph really need Wi-fi?

For a car that toated itself as constantly watching it's weight, this seems like something they could have cut back on.

 

Well, it is standard now. It is actually pretty cool, though. I actually specced it before it became standard (with a price hike of 5k). You can for example get your tunes directly from your home network. Remember, the brief of the car is for everyday usability.

 

Ok, nobody took my bait, so let me post another link:
http://jalopnik.com/5801794/mclaren-mp4+12c-fastest-around-top-gears-track

For the mystery to be revealed you have to click the link in the link.