Brilliant video. It must've been an incredible experience to be involved in the signing off process, especially when it was for such an incredible car. Since I first saw photos of the MP4-12C, I thought it looked pretty good but in the scene where Steve takes the photo of it at 2:48, I think it looks fantastic. I can't afford the McLaren, but I'm so excited about it. Hopefully I'll get to drive one at some point.
His comment is all about England affirming its engineering heritage. It's nice that we make something to be proud of. He is not and no-one else is saying German or any other countries cars are not good enough. I'm English and i drive an M3, a truly fantastic car.
Wouldn't mind seeing an F1 Mclaren vs MP4-12C. Mclaren F1 is my favourtie of all time cause it was about 12 years ahead of it's time. All supercars/hypercars are where they're at because of the Mclaren F1. MP4-12C is freakin awesome.
I honestly think it looks better than a 458. The 458 looked amazing and still does, this just looks cooler. Sutcliffe is not being biased at all in his review, hes an amazing reviewer, if he was being biased, he would striaght out say it.
Great review, couldn't have put it better myself. Clarkson was pretty unfair about the looks and the emotional side, it grows on you. I think everyone here would have one over a 458, especially as those seem to have a problem with catching fire. Every week Clarkson tells us (whether it's a supercar or a Skoda Yeti) 'This is probably the best car I have ever driven... in the world!', I say no more...
Last year a British magazine, I think Car, had a feature on McLaren vs Ferrari. After seeing the 458 and the MP4-12C next to each other page after page I found I preferred the look of the McLaren. That's just my take on them, although in the back of my mind I also feel that the shape of the Ferrari might age better.
I'm an American, and I don't know why I like what I like. My heritage is German and Italian. And I love those cars. But I tend to be an Anglophile. But I think when I'm slapping down the big jack for a super car, I'd have to seriously consider a Nissan GT-R as well as this, and a Porche. And as I love Ferrari, I would have to go Lambo with the new German engines. Know too many people who have Ferrari horror stories. And to me, the journey is what makes a car special. Breaking down isn't fun!
Why is it perfect? Is the exterior all aluminum? Center control panels clever? Specifications of suspension setting on long trip? Valves on exhaust system or loudness on such a long road trip? How many times did you fill up with gas during the trip? Electronics on British made super cars, how did it perform on other aspects of the road trip, besides window glitches or start engine button? What were the options that showed up on this McLaren review car?
WOW! I am not fan of cars that are in BLACK or SILVER...i feel its very generic, however this truly looks great in silver. I don't even know why. I've always been a fan of that McLaren Orange...but there's something about this simple silver color that makes the car seem wonderful & the red brakes (for once) add a great compliment instead of just looking cheesy/sporty.
@00kirbyd And no, 458's DONT go on fire randomly. It was a fault of the first few models which had a wrong type of plastic used close to the exhaust, and the plastic was melting on high temperature. It was redone and improved after the first reports of that issue. Also, Clarkson only said "this is the best car i've ever driven" 3 times. When he drove F430, when he drove Bugatti Veyron and when he drove the 458.
Watching this vid has made my mind up if i wanted one or not. Thank you Autocar and i apologise for the previous comment below with the f word. This car does not have an engine from another country which has been the case for some years i.e. Ariel, Noble, EVEN MORGAN has Honda, Ford and BMW engines in them! McLaren is more British than MORGAN is! Anyway without British engineering and expertese Michael Schumacher would be a nobody. Not much people talk about the British imput in Ferrari.
i love the looks of the gallardo and the 458 but if i would buy a midengined supercar i would actually, even tough it is a hard decision, go for the mclaren because its the most practical and it just is a mclaren
@nicknickk Sitting on the car doesn't hurt it. He doesn't do any damage at all to the body. The wind when going fast would damage the body more than him sitting on it.
@vix121 hopefully, competition is always good and bring the best out of each maker, but how things are i don't see them producing a model for 2012 to just produce a light version a year after. but anyway times will show us ^^
Contrary to half of youtube being dicks to autocar and McLaren I thought this was a very well produced video and thoughly enjoyed wathing it. You can tell he has a passon for car's. Great car and a great road trip!
@InitialDAmine I hear what your saying, but I think it would it be alot sooner than 2015 considering they have built the race spec GT so maybe there might be a street version of it.
@droppinsumfudge the volt is not an "electric car" exclusively. It uses a gasoline engine as an on board generator thereby excluding the drawbacks of a pure electric vehicle. Japanese electric cars don't have this technology. Also, worldwide production has nothing to do with forward thinking. The car is simply a new concept that inevitably has a high price tag which results in the ridiculously low sales.
@bonespg1971 Hi, do you mean price difference or cost (in terms of maintenance) difference? In terms of Price there isn´t much diffenrence between 458 and 12C.
@PhotonicsKid No the cars did not change, as a matter of fact if you pay attenton to the 2 car's being fueled at 8:37 you can see that there are TWO cars, and one of them (not driven by the host) is indeed the dark grey one.
@ST1GGLES Ok, I drove my friend's Camaro, and I agree, its lacking in some areas, but it does have the in your face character of a typical muscle car. Anyway, who reviewed the Mustang and Raptor?
@SPMNDK89 no offense mate but your wrong about the stig thing, the newest stig drove both the 458 and the mp4-12c, i know this because i haven't missed an episode of top gear since 2002 (basically when it was revived), you could be right about everything else tho, I'm not debating that.
@Humance I agree, this is the first car I have used the word sexy to describe it. A lot of people say the Ferrari is sexy but I don't see it. I never thought if I was rich I would buy an expensive car, MP4-12C has changed my mind.
@sw1000xg well then we are two different kinds of car fans :) For me the feeling is not always speed (ie acceleration, cornering grip, max. speed, etc.). For you it is more important, and gives you better feeling. Mp4-12c then is better suited to you than 458. And going sideways, i think, wasn't the only reason 5th gear didn't like mp4-12c. Brakes may be a bit better, but car isn't as stable as 458 under braking, the car was somewhat unpredictable (not consistent enough) and etc.
@vix121 in 2015? when other car makers will move to the next generation of their cars, the problem with this car is that it is taking benchmarks (F458/LP570-4/GT2...) but the problem is this car is not coming out till those benchmarks will move on to another generation, hence even the GT2 RS is out and this car is still in developement
@Veyronp87 true but I call it an electric vehicle cuz it can run on only the electric battery for 35 miles... I also was giving other references that use the same technology already... the "high" pricetag is only relative to other chevy models, but more expensive than other cars in its segment.
I still think that even cars like this should have manual. You can have that fancy paddle shifters, but leave manual as an option for good drivers. And I know, some american will say "Oh no, automatic is always better", but it is because USA couldn't produce proper manual with more than 4 gears and stayed with automatic. Now you have to ask is one "can handle the stick" which is sad. I want my mclaren manual, even knowing it would mean a little stower car.
I never liked the look of the mclaren at first, it grows on you alot.
"It's British"...best conclusion ever
Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a lot of fun.
finally a review this car deserves...
Brilliant video. It must've been an incredible experience to be involved in the signing off process, especially when it was for such an incredible car.
Since I first saw photos of the MP4-12C, I thought it looked pretty good but in the scene where Steve takes the photo of it at 2:48, I think it looks fantastic.
I can't afford the McLaren, but I'm so excited about it. Hopefully I'll get to drive one at some point.
Omg he is so lucky. Talking about the style and the shape of the car, I think the mp4 is growing on me.
that last line he said is the main reason why i like this car
brilliant, thax for this drive. I like this guy
This is the automotive equivalent of embedded journalism. Still, props to McLaren for making the supercar world a bit brighter.
Totally splendid vid! Thanks!
The MP4-12C is utterly beautiful. I'd also have 1 over a 458 Italia. but most of all. I'd have it in Mclaren Orange :)
6:34 it looks so epic :D [And the best thing of all these, it's British:)]
Drove 1 last week. Easily the best exotic I've driven.
this was such a privilege for hiim and yet bored the shit out of me for nearly 10 mins and his voice was made louder than the car AT ALL TIMES
Great video, just wondering if the camera you were using was a Canon 5D, or 6D, cheer's.
Nice video, next to your video our trip looks like the minimum road trip. Perhaps we can score a car like that, wow that car is true beauty.
His comment is all about England affirming its engineering heritage. It's nice that we make something to be proud of.
He is not and no-one else is saying German or any other countries cars are not good enough.
I'm English and i drive an M3, a truly fantastic car.
Wouldn't mind seeing an F1 Mclaren vs MP4-12C. Mclaren F1 is my favourtie of all time cause it was about 12 years ahead of it's time. All supercars/hypercars are where they're at because of the Mclaren F1. MP4-12C is freakin awesome.
I honestly think it looks better than a 458. The 458 looked amazing and still does, this just looks cooler. Sutcliffe is not being biased at all in his review, hes an amazing reviewer, if he was being biased, he would striaght out say it.
can u imagine how amazing it would be if someone let you to take a road trip in one of these???????
The top gear trio!!!
This is such a nice car!
Great review, couldn't have put it better myself. Clarkson was pretty unfair about the looks and the emotional side, it grows on you. I think everyone here would have one over a 458, especially as those seem to have a problem with catching fire. Every week Clarkson tells us (whether it's a supercar or a Skoda Yeti) 'This is probably the best car I have ever driven... in the world!', I say no more...
Very cool video!
Lotus should file a copyright infringement suit.
That Mclaren MP4-12C is very nice car.
Last year a British magazine, I think Car, had a feature on McLaren vs Ferrari. After seeing the 458 and the MP4-12C next to each other page after page I found I preferred the look of the McLaren. That's just my take on them, although in the back of my mind I also feel that the shape of the Ferrari might age better.
I love how he admits his bias for British cars... cause I completely agree with him!
I want this car! It changes colors!
i am from Portugal! :)
would like to see it on the road :)
I'm an American, and I don't know why I like what I like. My heritage is German and Italian. And I love those cars. But I tend to be an Anglophile.
But I think when I'm slapping down the big jack for a super car, I'd have to seriously consider a Nissan GT-R as well as this, and a Porche.
And as I love Ferrari, I would have to go Lambo with the new German engines. Know too many people who have Ferrari horror stories. And to me, the journey is what makes a car special. Breaking down isn't fun!
Why is it perfect? Is the exterior all aluminum? Center control panels clever? Specifications of suspension setting on long trip? Valves on exhaust system or loudness on such a long road trip? How many times did you fill up with gas during the trip? Electronics on British made super cars, how did it perform on other aspects of the road trip, besides window glitches or start engine button? What were the options that showed up on this McLaren review car?
WOW! I am not fan of cars that are in BLACK or SILVER...i feel its very generic, however this truly looks great in silver. I don't even know why. I've always been a fan of that McLaren Orange...but there's something about this simple silver color that makes the car seem wonderful & the red brakes (for once) add a great compliment instead of just looking cheesy/sporty.
I would say, probably the 12C just due to the insane ride comfort that is offers in normal mode, unlike any other super car really.
@00kirbyd And no, 458's DONT go on fire randomly. It was a fault of the first few models which had a wrong type of plastic used close to the exhaust, and the plastic was melting on high temperature. It was redone and improved after the first reports of that issue. Also, Clarkson only said "this is the best car i've ever driven" 3 times. When he drove F430, when he drove Bugatti Veyron and when he drove the 458.
Watching this vid has made my mind up if i wanted one or not. Thank you Autocar and i apologise for the previous comment below with the f word. This car does not have an engine from another country which has been the case for some years i.e. Ariel, Noble, EVEN MORGAN has Honda, Ford and BMW engines in them! McLaren is more British than MORGAN is!
Anyway without British engineering and expertese Michael Schumacher would be a nobody. Not much people talk about the British imput in Ferrari.
fully agree! amazing car!
i love the looks of the gallardo and the 458 but if i would buy a midengined supercar i would actually, even tough it is a hard decision, go for the mclaren because its the most practical and it just is a mclaren
I must admit that Ferrari has just dropped to number two on my 'save the cash for a lease' list.
Ok, I'm sold. Now to find that two hundred odd thousand dollars lol.
@CybaRJ did it ever occur to you they closed the roads while they were driving it?
you obviously don't know me bro. I've owned over 20 exotics. Let me know if you need proof. BTW I bought the MP4-12C and I love it
That car today has probably had 50 grand spent on servicing
Lotus should have worked something out with Mclaren. This has Esprit all over it
Between Steve Sutcliffe and chris harris who needs anyone else?
how come nobody talks about the interior of the 458, way too many buttons in the steering wheel, the mp4 seems like a nice place to be in
0:00 - 9:29 just amazing!
I want to see a comparison test with its rivals from ferrari and lambo next.
@nicknickk Sitting on the car doesn't hurt it. He doesn't do any damage at all to the body. The wind when going fast would damage the body more than him sitting on it.
@FocusRS1991 i was expectin some more action too tbh.. but any video of this car is good enough for me :P
@vix121 hopefully, competition is always good and bring the best out of each maker, but how things are i don't see them producing a model for 2012 to just produce a light version a year after. but anyway times will show us ^^
the sheeps are liking the car lol :D
True but I think its dead, was it on this year at all or did i just miss it?
Contrary to half of youtube being dicks to autocar and McLaren I thought this was a very well produced video and thoughly enjoyed wathing it. You can tell he has a passon for car's. Great car and a great road trip!
I'm the biggest ferrari fan, but i think this is better looking than a 458
I'd get both the Italia 458 in classic Ferrari red & MP4-12C in Leman orange or kona blue :)
@InitialDAmine I hear what your saying, but I think it would it be alot sooner than 2015 considering they have built the race spec GT so maybe there might be a street version of it.
im like the guy in the ideo - at first the looks didnt do much for me, but theyve grown and grown on me
@droppinsumfudge
i understand your point but what about the Chevy volt?
I want that job!!
Nice. Spartan British car. Looks minimalistic, without excess. 0-100: 3.1s as Steve said.
@droppinsumfudge
the volt is not an "electric car" exclusively. It uses a gasoline engine as an on board generator thereby excluding the drawbacks of a pure electric vehicle. Japanese electric cars don't have this technology. Also, worldwide production has nothing to do with forward thinking. The car is simply a new concept that inevitably has a high price tag which results in the ridiculously low sales.
@bonespg1971 Hi, do you mean price difference or cost (in terms of maintenance) difference?
In terms of Price there isn´t much diffenrence between 458 and 12C.
What a great car. If you buy a 458 you are probably going to buy this also so it is really a moot point.
One day I will own this car :)
I'd take the MP4-12C everyday of the week and twice on Sunday
@PhotonicsKid No the cars did not change, as a matter of fact if you pay attenton to the 2 car's being fueled at 8:37 you can see that there are TWO cars, and one of them (not driven by the host) is indeed the dark grey one.
Nice work Steve, bet you were gutted to get in to your own car after that,,,,,,,lol
I would take the McLaren too.
You'd be the butt of your rich friends' jokes coming for brunch in a McLaren MP4-12C while they drive Italian supercars with exotic names. :p
@ST1GGLES Ok, I drove my friend's Camaro, and I agree, its lacking in some areas, but it does have the in your face character of a typical muscle car. Anyway, who reviewed the Mustang and Raptor?
best car in the world and British!
@bilavalsocool please tell me your refering to the UK , because all the other countrie's Top Gear suck.
@SPMNDK89 no offense mate but your wrong about the stig thing, the newest stig drove both the 458 and the mp4-12c, i know this because i haven't missed an episode of top gear since 2002 (basically when it was revived), you could be right about everything else tho, I'm not debating that.
@FocusRS1991 its not a performance review.. it part of the mclaren sign off programme..
Can someone please upload a comparison with the 458!!
a bit ironic to describe the looks as "generic supercar" butt I think Sutcliffe hit the nail on the head.
a wolf in sheep's clothing, this is.
what is it about mclaren cars that make it look as if you are playing a computer game when you drive it? I dont know any other car that does this
You tell em mix
@offroadskillz It is, in every way. Those are the real numbers.
@jcadlols
i understand your point but what about the Chevy volt?
@statelinetrailers You can lease these cars???
why is there a map of a track at the screen all the time?
@Humance I agree, this is the first car I have used the word sexy to describe it. A lot of people say the Ferrari is sexy but I don't see it. I never thought if I was rich I would buy an expensive car, MP4-12C has changed my mind.
@sw1000xg well then we are two different kinds of car fans :) For me the feeling is not always speed (ie acceleration, cornering grip, max. speed, etc.). For you it is more important, and gives you better feeling. Mp4-12c then is better suited to you than 458. And going sideways, i think, wasn't the only reason 5th gear didn't like mp4-12c. Brakes may be a bit better, but car isn't as stable as 458 under braking, the car was somewhat unpredictable (not consistent enough) and etc.
My dad asked me if I want an MP4-12C and I said: "Well I think I'll wait for the 4-door version of it. In the mean time can you please buy me a 458?"
@vix121 in 2015? when other car makers will move to the next generation of their cars, the problem with this car is that it is taking benchmarks (F458/LP570-4/GT2...) but the problem is this car is not coming out till those benchmarks will move on to another generation, hence even the GT2 RS is out and this car is still in developement
@Veyronp87 true but I call it an electric vehicle cuz it can run on only the electric battery for 35 miles... I also was giving other references that use the same technology already... the "high" pricetag is only relative to other chevy models, but more expensive than other cars in its segment.
@InitialDAmine Who's to say they won't be offering a light weight model too.
Dacia Sandero ftw! Romanian pride :D
@autocar how much did u spend in gas?
Shortly after 6:20, he said something about "letting the marigold out." Why does he mention marigolds? Is that UK slang for something auto-related?
@mrnicktoyou I hate to admit it but yes, they are. Aside from that, this is a brilliant car. I dont know if i would take this over a 458 ...
@DualofChaos what about pagani?
holy crap, the mp4-12c is so unreal... keep your "emotions" Ferrari, I'll take the McLaren any day... based on performance and technology.
I'd be curious to hear what kind of fuel economy the McLaren had over the long distance.
@streamC morelike 3.8" but anyway we are talkinga bout an epic car here!
@droppinsumfudge its a range extender EV
I still think that even cars like this should have manual. You can have that fancy paddle shifters, but leave manual as an option for good drivers. And I know, some american will say "Oh no, automatic is always better", but it is because USA couldn't produce proper manual with more than 4 gears and stayed with automatic. Now you have to ask is one "can handle the stick" which is sad. I want my mclaren manual, even knowing it would mean a little stower car.
@plir89
I wrongly quoted Steeve. He said 0-60 3.1
But where are you find 3.8 specs?