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      01-15-2015, 07:31 AM   #1
Billj747
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My 2012 McLaren 12C Review

Hey guys,

Here's my 2012 McLaren MP4-12C review on MotoIQ.com. The article includes:

-In-depth photos
-Street & Track review
-Motec Data of various corners
-In-car video of the flying lap


"We spent two days with the McLaren MP4-12C on the street and hot lapped it around Buttonwillow’s 13CW configuration to see if the 12C really is the best supercar that you can use as a daily driver. Is it a modern day NSX in this regard? Did it turn the fastest production car lap at Buttonwillow? Read on to find out…"




Enjoy!
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      01-16-2015, 10:48 AM   #2
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Good read. Thanks for sharing. Flat plane crank
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      01-16-2015, 05:33 PM   #3
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Yes, great read, I like your writing style. Minor point, but on page 5 here "continuously variable the car’s front and rear roll stiffness", I think you meant continuously vary.

Also, on page 6, I don't understand the downforce paragraph vs the 458. You say it is supposed to have more front downforce than the 458 according to sport auto, but then state it has 4lbs vs the 458 at 70 lbs. Since 4 is far less than 70, is sport auto wrong, or is the 4 wrong?
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      01-16-2015, 06:07 PM   #4
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Test driven the 12C before. Its suspension is out of this world and stupid fast! It's probably the best sounding turbo supercars around. A notch below Ferrari in driver engagement and ultimate feel, but a great effort by Mac nonetheless for a first model. I will definitely be buying a Mac at some point.
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      01-16-2015, 06:17 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swartzentruber View Post
Yes, great read, I like your writing style. Minor point, but on page 5 here "continuously variable the car’s front and rear roll stiffness", I think you meant continuously vary.

Also, on page 6, I don't understand the downforce paragraph vs the 458. You say it is supposed to have more front downforce than the 458 according to sport auto, but then state it has 4lbs vs the 458 at 70 lbs. Since 4 is far less than 70, is sport auto wrong, or is the 4 wrong?
Thank you. I try to bring a fresh angle from a technical perspective that highlights things that other journalist's miss or glaze over.

Since there are already a ton of car reviews out there, I'm still trying to figure out whether to do more of these in the future or not depending on if people enjoy my writing and view on cars from my racing background.

Thank you on the "vary" -I fixed it. 4lbs of downforce is more downforce than 70lbs of lift.

Quote:
Originally Posted by clar View Post
Test driven the 12C before. Its suspension is out of this world and stupid fast! It's probably the best sounding turbo supercars around. A notch below Ferrari in driver engagement and ultimate feel, but a great effort by Mac nonetheless for a first model. I will definitely be buying a Mac at some point.
Agreed. What do you think of the new Ford GT?
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      01-16-2015, 07:15 PM   #6
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The review was great but I think a true comparison with the NSX needs a "Cost to own" measurement.

The NSX was extremely cost effective to own and operate. It did not need any special servicing and it is very easy work on yourself with basic hand tools. Honda's engineers did not just make a great driving car, they made one that was easy to work on and service. My friend and I replaced the suspension, brakes and some other stuff on my friend's NSX for track duty and it was no more difficult to work on than a 90s Honda Civic. Also, there was never any issues and the car was reliable as any modern Honda.

It looks like the McLaren would be much more expensive to service and repair. It has complex electronics and mechanical systems that look to be a pain in the ass to work on. Good luck diagnosing it if some electrical gremlins pop up.
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      01-16-2015, 11:48 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billj747 View Post


Agreed. What do you think of the new Ford GT?
Not exactly drooling with anticipation with the looks. They dun make right hand drive models, so it's basically an irrelevant car to pple in this part of the world.
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      01-17-2015, 12:18 AM   #8
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Nice work. 1:50 is impressive for stock. Wish you had some more cars to test at buttonwillow!! Hope you get your hands on the new z06

Also since Buttonwillow is used in many TA events, it would make it fun if we had times for many cars there for comparison sake.

Last edited by TheKosherStogie; 01-17-2015 at 12:10 PM..
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      01-17-2015, 12:12 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
The review was great but I think a true comparison with the NSX needs a "Cost to own" measurement.

The NSX was extremely cost effective to own and operate. It did not need any special servicing and it is very easy work on yourself with basic hand tools. Honda's engineers did not just make a great driving car, they made one that was easy to work on and service. My friend and I replaced the suspension, brakes and some other stuff on my friend's NSX for track duty and it was no more difficult to work on than a 90s Honda Civic. Also, there was never any issues and the car was reliable as any modern Honda.

It looks like the McLaren would be much more expensive to service and repair. It has complex electronics and mechanical systems that look to be a pain in the ass to work on. Good luck diagnosing it if some electrical gremlins pop up.
in these 4-5 years it showed very reliable in comparison to other modern day supercars
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      01-17-2015, 12:14 PM   #10
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Hi Billy.

Nice write up! I always learn from your insights. (I had a chance to drive a 12C at Exotics Racing in Vegas. The front end was a bit odd…..like it was too light or under-gripped, but it would catch you by surprise…..strange, it turned in fine and then you'd be stable mid-corner, and then the front end would suddenly start walking away without any change in pedal position……the instructor even warned me about it before we got in the car. He joked that he wanted to drop a 100lb sand bag in the nose of the car.)

One note about the video: The date listed on the video is December 2013, but it must really be from December 2014 because the pavement is the new repave from July 2014. We have found that the new pavement [along with "lower" relative berms] is about 2 seconds faster than the old pavement across the board. So, at first, from the date listed, I thought this would mean the 12C would do a 1:48 on the current pavement and I cried in my spilled M3 milk. But, then I realized it was on the new pavement and the date was wrong, and now all is right with the world! Phew that was a close one!!

btw, any chance you can post the video with the live lap data overlaid?

Are you scheduled to be back out at Buttonwillow for any upcoming Time Attacks? I was there when you ran 1:37. That was awesome! You were tearing that track up!!
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      01-17-2015, 12:56 PM   #11
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in before the fanboys say it doesn't handle like the m3
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      01-19-2015, 10:30 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billj747 View Post
4lbs of downforce is more downforce than 70lbs of lift.
Oops, reading comprehension fail, thanks.
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