The 720S looks nicer in white in the videos of it at Amelia Island this year. However, the F1 LM next to it stole the show imo. That is still the best looking modern supercar ever imo. I saw that chassis (LM2) at McLaren of Philadelphia last October. Thankfully its owner is nice to share it with everyone.
Right now maclaren make the most technically advanced super cars on the market. That's a fact. They have made this niches their own. Ferrari are being forced to play catch up. Lambo and Porsche are miles behind those two. The market is plenty big enough for all 4. We should be happy about this and not trying to bash these manufacturers.
How are Lamborghini and Porsche behind the two? The new Huracan Performante has active aero and has had nothing but great reviews and Porsche's tech leap when the 918 came out was above the rest and they continue to improve their 911 high end models.
Watch "PREVIEW: McLaren 720S, the 212mph successor to the 650S" on YouTube https://youtu.be/buuC8N9ULt0
I absolutely love my 991 Turbo S but anything over 140 MPH is about the scariest feeling possible. I nearly spun it on a decreasing radius turn, and I haven't spun a car in many years. Once the rear starts coming around you better be ready. You really do need all the electronic nannies with porsches wheras I drive me 675LT with esc off and its fine. edit: also, A CF tub is a huge safety (& performance) advantage McLaren have.
Appreciate your thoughts on this, especially knowing your background in art and design. Can't say I disagree with anything you've said, although I still think the 720S is fantastic to look at I do think that seeing it in person is helpful, especially since there are so many intricate layers and small details that tend to get flattened out or lost in photographs. The doors in particular probably couldn't have even been made until very recently due to the complexity of form, which is hard to pick up in 2D photos. Someone on another board posted a profile of the 720S next to the profile of the F1 and they're almost identical shapes, including a number of small design details. It appears to me to be an evolution within the design envelope you've mentioned, while at the same time pushing at the edges with more modern elements and some aerodynamic gizmos. Of course the two cars don't look anything alike, but when closely examining the two together, you can easily see how one led to the other. And for what it's worth, I was one of those people who wasn't taken with the 12C when it was first revealed. "Looks like a generic sports car" I said. Over time I came to realize that what I initially thought of as generic was actually a simplicity of form that I suspect will age very gracefully. It doesn't rely on any over-the-top elements or paeans to "retro" looks forced onto a modern design. It's just a simple, basic shape with some really amazing engineering woven in. While I'm sure that McLaren will have some misses mixed in with the hits, so far I think they've done an amazing job in the 6 or so years they've been around and have no doubt that they'll be around for a long time to come.
Thanks for the kind words. If I gave the impression I hated the 720S thats my bad. I think as far as modern overwrought design (I know thats a bit of a backhanded compliment) its pretty good. I like the overall shape and proportions. I just really dislike all the extraneous detailing...but thats all cars these days.
If it effects the looks negatively to make it go fast, yes it's too fast. I don't hate this car. I think it would have looked a lot better if they put priorities in different places. I think Mac interior design is first rate. This part they are really getting right (although I don't like the TFT screen to be taller than wider).
Shame the technical advancement don't translate to real world big advancements at the track over the other brands. All of the top cars from each brand are so close, it's splitting hairs, regardless of claims of supposed dramatic superiority. I mean look at the p1 vs laf, vs 918 I guess being more technically advanced is cool though regardless if it doesn't translate to advancements in performance. On a side note, very much like the design, best mac to date IMO. Looks like they nicely ripped off pagani and Ferrari while still retaining their own look.
Actually far from true. Most that I know have never owned a Ferrari...they came from Porsche though. I'm sure many do/did--so? Ironically, several that I know that never owned F bought Mc, had too many issues (and took bath on way out), THEN ended up buying a F-car out of frustration. All swore they'd never buy another Mc. Hey I really don't care either way. For those that love McLaren, more power to them. All I can do is vote with MY pocketbook, not yours.
Most of the fan boys never owned either. The real issue is when is "enough enough" and at what cost both in real dollars and in visual appeal. I'm for technical advancement but I think for $300 grand you also want something that looks half way decent in your driveway. Looks are always subjective but this one is pushing the "aero restrictions" too far. Back it off a little and think about what the damn thing looks like. We live in the golden age of ugly supercars where we justify it with "technical progress". Enough already. If anyone believes 30 years from now someone will call the 720s "a design classic" they need their head examined. Unfortunately, it's not alone.
If there are about 8k people in the entire world who like it at some point over the next 5 years, then it doesn't matter if some don't. Love it/hate it is good enough for an exotic. Half this forum thinks every new Ferrari is meh. Can't please everyone, so just please enough of them and move on. Also, the first manufacturer to go form over function and get schooled in the tests is the one who will begin to lose sales. You have to be the best when your car is new. People need to be able to think and tell people their car is the best and had some dumb metric they can talk about. "My car's good looking" doesn't cut it. If all you need was good looks, there are no shortage of beautiful older or classic cars available. Now, you and I would be fine with just a gorgeous 500hp car and a nice interior and modern infotainment, but most buyers wouldn't be.
The 720 is starting to grow on me as I see more and more real life pictures and likely I will get one in the future but the above statement rings very true. The car will not age well. Look at the 12C or even a year old 2016 650s. Both are starting to show their age and they only are a few years old. Same will happen to 720s. But, its still a great car none the less.
You seem to care because you talk about mclaren a lot. You need to expand your friend circle a bit. Every P1 owner I know has or had a ferrari (I know at least 25 owners) my local dealer delivered 24? 675 (coupe and spider). At least 15 of them have ferrari's typical profile of 570 owners are that they are new to exotic cars. from speaking to mclaren scottsdale; they had 21 720s deposits at the time of the SoCal viewing. mclaren sf had 35 existing mclaren customers go to L.A. for the 720s launch and my understanding is that the vast majority of them have put deposits down on the 720s.
its amazing that so many consider the 458 to be epitome of exotic styling yet hate the 720. I feel mac totally copied the profile of the 458 and both look terrific to me. I don't see how you can hate one and love the other
