Awesome video. Wonder if the flames were enhanced in post-production ... but if not, then this is gonna make me lose a lot of sleep trying to figure out how to own it. Loved the Senna voice over and linkage with Bruno driving. Acura must be kicking themselves even harder these days for losing that storyline with the new NSX launch.
This 20-Year-Old Nissan Is The Origin Of All Of McLaren's Modern V8s This 20-Year-Old Nissan Is The Origin Of All Of McLaren's Modern V8s
That is a common misconception - McLaren did acquire the rights to that engine from TWR, but ultimately the only thing that remains the same after Ricardo's effort is the bore spacing and V-angle. Great to see another well-researched piece from Jalopnik. >8^) ER
This comment was posted on the Jalopnik article by someone who actually knows what they are talking about: I left some comments of my own - we will see if Raphael takes notice of any of them. >8^) ER
I can see that happens for below the ugly headlight, but surely they don't force the air down for the opening around the headlight itself? That would cause lift. Pete
Well, with all due respect I think that's a bit stubborn. It's ok that people don't like the design, but at least kudos to McLaren for creating a car that looks like a supercar. The 488 looks like a fast car, this looks like a supercar - that's the difference. Now, the lines might be busy or the intakes not pretty - subjective. The other thing is that maybe in the US it's all about cup holders and functioning air con, in Germany I would say it isn't. Here, the relevant speed range on a normal non-busy day and a quick run on the highway would be 120 to 195 mph (normal, of course those cars go faster). Apart from looks being subjective, stuff like drag, downforce and speed does matter here. More so if you really start using those cars for what they are meant for - tracking. Ferrari will need to come up with a quick answer quickly, now that everyone has "boring" turbos. On the other hand, the last time I used an aircon in a real sports car is probably fifteen years ago.
You have a good point about different markets looking for different things. And, I am one who wants innovation in visual design. I hate the "retro" thing as it just copies the past without being creative. Imagine what a terrible period car design would have been we had a "retro" period in the 50's and 60's. But I also believe too much car design today is done in wind tunnels and not enough is done by real artists. Maybe I am an old school dinosaur but an E type Jag would not be considered a classic and beautiful design today if they had wind tunnels back in the early 60's. If you like your cars created by computer, McLaren and the others today are your dreams. To me, they are nightmares with ugly fins, bargeboards, holes, and bits bolted on to a form molded not by a designer but by engineers. Designers KNOW how to design well. There were not better designers 60 years ago than today. Its a question of what priority they are given by the marketing department vs engineering. IMO, it's been a constant step backwards for the last 15 years because of this ridiculous notion that you have to have better speed than the last guy to get any sales. Seriously -- who needs a car that goes 212 MPH? To put it into perspective: we are talking about Indy 500 speeds for city roads. Wouldn't 200 be "enough"?
I haven't seen it but perhaps you dont know McLaren F1 and McLaren Automotive are separate companies? Same with Ferrari, virtually nothing from the road cars is used in the F1 cars. I always get a kick from Ferrari guys talking about their F1 technology in their 458. Uh, no there isn't. It may be 'inspired by F1 technology ' but it ain't F1 technology. 99.9% marketing gimmick.
There are quite a few of us that participate in open road events where there are no speed limits and I would definitely use the 212 speed. Most guys have home grown cars which can be a bit dangerous. Ie SSC aero, its a kit car. I *probably* wouldn't hit 212 but I'd rather go 200/212 than 200/200.
Its my understanding the door blades create a low pressure area which causes the air to escape without creating lift. But I may have the wrong, just something I heard in passing. The actual headlights are just a thin light bar which act as a winglet to direct air flow. I do like the intakes are the low temperature radiators for the turbo charge coolers. Most cars have them in the back engine compartment where they suffer from heat soak problems.
Mayor I had to lookup what an e-type jag looks like to see this thing of beauty. It is indeed beautiful. Especially those headlights Image Unavailable, Please Login
99.99999999999% of all miles in these super cars are under 50 mph. A lot of good "aero" effects do then.
Those headlights are 100 times better looking than the carbon fibre cut outs in the nose of that motor boat front end of the 720s. Image Unavailable, Please Login
If you want a GT or more interested in design buy: Bentley, Aston Martin, California, 570, Maserati, etc
No. I want a sports car that actually "works" below 130 mph, won't have you going to jail if you redline it in first gear, and looks like a human designed it instead of a computer.
Buy a 2010 Aston Martin DBS. Gets no better looking, gets no better sounding. It's not a great performer. The 720s is designed for ultimate performance. The ethos of the cars is embodied in their design. I think the world is better for having both though!
Then get a lotus exige or something like that. I had one, fun car. Not fast but fun. For me that car is the F40. I love driving it when I want that old car feeling. But its far from a modern supercar.
I know value is relative to people's financial situations, but to me the F40 is just too valuable today to be a fun car. An exige is about right. I think for a car to be fun is has to leave you with a carefree feeling enough that you'll park it on the street without being paranoid.
Then buy one of the thousands of older exotics out there or a non-exotic, like a BMW M2 or something random like that. Exotic manufacturers can't make lesser cars. It doesn't work like that unless they all agreed to do it. First company that tries it will tank.
Explain the Porsche 911. Gee it sure has been a miserable failure. If I use your analogy, in 4 years super cars will need to do 240 to compete with one another. Wow.... something the world really needs when the speed limit is 70. The Veyron does what? 270? No one cares.
^^^ Why are you so jealous of McLaren's achievement? We should be embracing diversity in the super car industry, not trying to stifle it. Your argument is completely illogical. People buy the super car of their choice because tonthem it hits their prime motivations for purchase. Believe it or not, a large group of them like aero designed cars and ridiculous potential top speeds. Just like folk pay stupid money for Patek watches or first class French wines. It's all good.
