Wasn't overly impressed with my first sighting of the car at FOS last weekend.
Watched it up the hill through the straight beyond the Malcolm complex on Friday and it seemed to be porpoising over the bumps a bit too much.
On Saturday, with Lewis driving, it was misfiring badly up to the bridge!
Looked a little better on Sunday - but then I only saw it on the downward run AND I'm certainly not keen on that orange colour scheme! [
]
Very little noise either - the perennial problem with all turbo engines, of course. []
However, as a guest at McLaren's Technological Centre in Woking yesterday, I am pleased to report the car has fully redeemed itself.
It is a technically brilliant piece of kit. The silver and black version on display was stunning. The factory building in which the prototypes are assembled was spotlessly clean and the small team there were going about their business in unruffled and uncluttered fashion. A new factory for production cars is currently under construction and is scheduled to be finished early next year. All the staff were very enthusiastic and helpful.
The cabin is fantastic - probably the best I have sat in, but gaining access is quite difficult for we, less gymnastic, types and this may rule out the car for several.
Clearly the proof of the pudding is in the driving - so it remains to be seen how well it will perform in the real world, but knowing McLaren a little now, I'm sure it'll be right on the button (!) so to speak. []
AND
The porpoising?- all to do with the first driver's suspension settings.
The misfire? - Lewis wanted all aids switched off so he could do some showboating. The engine was therefore mapped in dyno. mode - but nobody told traction control!
Noise? - an Inconel sports exhaust is now available.
Don't forget this is still work in progress!
Can't wait to drive one. [] []
Regards,
Clive
Watched it up the hill through the straight beyond the Malcolm complex on Friday and it seemed to be porpoising over the bumps a bit too much.
On Saturday, with Lewis driving, it was misfiring badly up to the bridge!
Looked a little better on Sunday - but then I only saw it on the downward run AND I'm certainly not keen on that orange colour scheme! [
]Very little noise either - the perennial problem with all turbo engines, of course. [
]However, as a guest at McLaren's Technological Centre in Woking yesterday, I am pleased to report the car has fully redeemed itself.
It is a technically brilliant piece of kit. The silver and black version on display was stunning. The factory building in which the prototypes are assembled was spotlessly clean and the small team there were going about their business in unruffled and uncluttered fashion. A new factory for production cars is currently under construction and is scheduled to be finished early next year. All the staff were very enthusiastic and helpful.
The cabin is fantastic - probably the best I have sat in, but gaining access is quite difficult for we, less gymnastic, types and this may rule out the car for several.
Clearly the proof of the pudding is in the driving - so it remains to be seen how well it will perform in the real world, but knowing McLaren a little now, I'm sure it'll be right on the button (!) so to speak. [
]AND
The porpoising?- all to do with the first driver's suspension settings.
The misfire? - Lewis wanted all aids switched off so he could do some showboating. The engine was therefore mapped in dyno. mode - but nobody told traction control!
Noise? - an Inconel sports exhaust is now available.
Don't forget this is still work in progress!
Can't wait to drive one. [
] []Regards,
Clive
