McLaren 720S - 2017

I know you said in your opinion the interior of the 720s is really nice, but to me it's plain like the rest of the McLaren lineup they have out right now. I sat in a 720s last month and thought the carpet along the kickplate area (whatever it's called since it's the tub extending up) and the dash just don't look that great. The Paganis are obviously in a different class, but I think Ferrari is far better in interior design and materials used. It just looks and feels a lot different even though they're competing for the same customers. Just IMO.

 

fair enough but I can't agree -- the 720s interior design is way better than the 458. The 720s has a nice large color touchscreen which can be used by either the driver or the passenger. The 458 has a tiny little 3x3 monochrome screen that neither you nor your passenger can see. Its the worst in the industry. Artists? Ok here's 3 lines of artists. Phonebook? I have 900-ish entries. The 458 has so many friggin buttons on it to make it "feel like f1". I was always hitting the turn signal or washer fluid when I was in a turn (its a common problem). their sound and infotainment system sucks at any price. The macs F1 paddles move with the wheel which is very intuitive but 458 does not, which makes them hard to find when backing out or doing a u-turn.

the seating and overall driving position in any mclaren is superior in every way, they get a lot of praise for that. their manual seat which I prefer is as comfy on a long haul as ferrari's comfort seat (nice but very heavy).

ferrari is really good at leathers and stitching but I thought the 720 was on par at least.

so many other examples

 

Maybe as I haven't seen it in person. But if you look at the Ford GT as a comparison, you have to wonder what Ford was thinking.

 

Also worth noting that the 720S has aluminum body panels. Needless to say, weight is going to drop even further if they start producing composite panels on the future LT.

 

To be fair, if you're in 3rd gear at 40 mph, you're not using the throttle at all.

I agree with Mayor here that most modern exotics are so quick to the point that you can't really do much with the gearbox or throttle before you're obliterating the speed limit.

And as always, unless you're in a school zone or leaving a stop light, you're initial speed will always start at 30mph at the minimum. That means you have even less time/room to interact with the gearbox or throttle. They're just getting too quick.

 

No I get what you're saying, but not saying we're past that point. I think the performance of the 675 is the point of fun and definitely losing your license. There's a few times when I wish I had more power but certainly don't want less. I'm usually 50%-ish about half the time.

I don't need (or want) to use 100%, 100% of the time. That's would be crazy.

 

Also I have race cars that I use a couple times a year max that more or less sit and eat money, that are less versatile and less capable, just sayin, I can find worse examples lol

 

The 720S is the first car in a long time that has sparked the 'lust factor' for me.

I know looks are subjective, but to my eye the 720 is drop dead gorgeous. From a performance side, I doubt that I will get bored on the road or track.

I'm playing the depreciation bet. In about a year they will have to give me the 720 and cash for my CS. I think I just might have to do it!

 

The P1 did it for me, but I'm never going to have on of those ($). Now the 720S comes along and...wow. I just might be inspired enough to work a little harder, so my rising income line will cross the depreciating 720S line on my fantasy graph.

 

I was talking about the interior aesthetics and not ergonomics. If I had to guess which manufacturer would spend more time on ergonomics than looks, I would always go with the anal retentive McLaren team and not Ferrari interior design team.

But I think my opinion on the 720S that day was swayed by the fact there were two Pagani Hyuayras a couple hundred feet away with interiors that looked like a jewelry case.

I'm sure the McLaren is far easier to deal with than the Ferrari and Pagani based on its simplicity, but I think aesthetically it doesn't compare to either.

Here's the 720S interior pic I took: https://www.flickr.com/photos/havblu/33760869862/in/album-72157680593356290/

Here's a pic of the Paganis: https://www.flickr.com/photos/havblu/33074427614/in/album-72157680593356290/

I haven't seen a Ford GT in person yet, but I agree the interior on that does not look good in photos. It's like the XJ220 to me. Stunning exterior, but pulled an interior off of an old Chevy Cavalier or something.

 

Ah, yeah the 720S isn't going to compare to the Pagani in styling. I'd bet the interior of the Pagani costs as much as the entire 720s...

 

Pagani interior is gaudy as **** IMO.

 

I wasn't going to say that but yes. If I only had to use it once a month it would be OK but would probably wear on me, especially if any of that **** started rattling

 

Agreed. It's vulgar and over-done.

 

I can see why people think it's too much. I think it's nicer to look at than the McLaren, but I'm sure the McLaren is far more practical and easier to use.

Of the cars in the McLaren price range, I think Lamborghini would be my top choice for interior aesthetics (I'd still imagine McLaren ergonomics are better), then Ferrari, then McLaren. Just in my opinion.

I prefer the looks of Koenigsegg over Pagani anyway. It's more functional and not nearly as gaudy/over the top imo. I won't go into that more as that's going off topic.

 

I agree. Too flashy. Looks like Capt Nemo designed it.

 

It's like an Aventador SV. Would make you feel special as hell if you drove it once a month but to drive regularly would tire you out while I could drive a 675 or 458/488 regularly and not get tired.

 

+1
While I'm sure Ferrari's always pushing ahead..competition is good.

+1000 CF tub

 

And yet the 720S is better performance car

+1

 

Pagani styling is versace whereas ferrari is armani. McLaren is somewhere in between

 

I doubt Ferrari is going to invest in CF tubs. That's a huge expense to build a manufacturing plant, and a complete redesign, crash test and recertification of their cars. Just a few years ago they spent a billion euros in a new aluminum manufacturing plant. Not to mention they probably couldn't keep up with production, as CF tubs take a lot of time to build compared to robots cranking out aluminum. There's no question CF is a better design for safety and performance, hence why they use it on their 'supercars', and one reason why I say all macs are supercars. The CF tub is a solid technical safety and performance feature. Whenever I'm going 100+ in a non tub car I feel like I don't have my seat belt on.

 

I disagree. If Mac and do it and Lambo can do it an even Alfa can do it, they can do it. Hell, even THEY do it. They will subcontract it out like they do the bodies.

There are disadvantages to a CF tub. Most of it revolves around cost but also involves production speed and getting in and out of the car.

I do believe Ferrari has 2 choices here.

1) copy part of the Mac 720s (CF tub, reduce weight, more HP, beat it raw performance)
2) ignore the Mac 720s and go their own way (rely more on style and driving emotion)

There is no question the 488's replacement will be a completely different styling direction. The question will be if they also change the construction method or just pump up the performance of the drivetrain to overcome a weight penalty.

 

If I had to guess they go #2 as that's what they're best at

 

I know I sound like a broken record but really, some of these numbers today are just ridiculous for real world driving.


They are no longer sports cars. They are just trinkets for people to say "my car is faster than yours".

At some point you have to say "enough is enough"

 

Yeah I can't disagree, like I've said before, not sure we're past that point but probably getting there. I do admit my F40 is overflowing with fun but really, when you look down at the speedo, you're not really going that fast. But so much fun.