Feb 18, 2014 10:48:33 PM
Here's a CH article/interview with McLaren about it. Seems like they are turning up the fun factor in this car in response to criticism from the 12C. Based on what we've heard about the P1, I think it might be safe to say they have figured it all out.
hunterone:
you get one for shure :) Give me a PM when you are in Vienna.
Here are some dealer pics. Delivery pics and detailed report coming in an own thread beginning of April.
My favorite color combo, very nice and "mean".
I guess I have to go to Vienna sometimes.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
I agree - I think the side blade needs to be in the body colour - that's how I will spec mine. The MP4 - 12C has been a much maligned car. I've made my views clearly previously as an owner of the 12C and 458, and 458 Spider . Having seen the 650S in the metal last week - I can tell you it looks excellent, and in my own (subjective , of course) view looks significantly better than the 12C. I can see why current 12C owners, especially those that bought one recently, are up in arms - but they need to grow up - with the exception of limited edition Ferraris, all cars are going to lose money - its just a question of how much and how quickly. I'm a big Ferrari fan (and Porsche for that matter), and remain to be convinced by the looks of the Speciale. The 650S positioning is subtly different from the Scuderia / Superleggera formula of the Italian competitors. The car is not stripped out for weight loss for a more track focussed drive, its a daily driver that can also compete with its rivals on the track. The carbon tub gives it a significant advantage over non carbon monocoque Spider competitors. Over and above the styling changes there would appear to be significant mechanical and software changes - on which I would reserve judgement till you actually drive one.
Back on the Speciale - I haven't driven one yet - but will report once I have . One attraction might be that this could well be the last naturally aspirated V8 the Ferrari do in significant numbers which might save it from the steep depreciation of the 430 Scuderia - the McLaren is not alone in this problem! its clear they the 458 successor will be a V8 turbo, and it will be very interesting to hear what the engine/ exhaust in the California T (which is a forerunner to the 458 engine) will sound like. I think the Italians will have done a better job than the Brits and the Germans on this perennial issue of the sound from Turbo engines.
I think they are right to be a bit pissed off, at least in the US. The Spider has been out for only a year and now it's been facelifted and supposedly improved significantly. Depreciation is a given, but no one in their right mind would buy a car if they knew there was a better version for more or less the same price coming out within a year.
I'm sure McLaren didn't really have any choice and need to boost sales, but that doesn't make it normal. They screwed up and are now, unfortunately, are screwing some customers. And yes, I believe they are screwing the customers because I doubt this was the original release plan. No one in their right mind would significantly facelift a car that quick unless they had to.
I feel like they definitely have the potential to make it up to early adopters even if they won't be upgrading cars to the new spec. We'll have to wait and see if any signs of good faith are extended. I kind of doubt it, but I really do think there are a lot of possibilities to sooth some hurt feelings. Big MSO discounts anyone? Maybe 50% off the $70,000 MSO snorkel? ;)
That said, if they don't have a retro-fit for the rear camera, I'm going to fucking kill someone. That's honestly all I care about upgrading at this point. If I buy Iris 2 and that thing ends up handicapped still, I'll be livid.
noone1:
I think they are right to be a bit pissed off, at least in the US. The Spider has been out for only a year and now it's been facelifted and supposedly improved significantly.
I think the 650S is a new model, not a facelift. The 12C will continue on, not replaced by it.
73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550
Grant:
noone1:
I think they are right to be a bit pissed off, at least in the US. The Spider has been out for only a year and now it's been facelifted and supposedly improved significantly.
I think the 650S is a new model, not a facelift. The 12C will continue on, not replaced by it.
A "new model" with an incremental 25hp (i.e. +4%) and some adjustments to the setup...
McLaren just used the wrong term to describe their cars.
Porsche uses the term 'variants' to describe different versions of the 911, it doesn't say a GT3 is a 'new car' that differs from the C2S.
Since the 12C, the 650S, the P1 and a couple other future cars are all based on the initial 12C platform, McLaren could have called all of them 'variants' not 'new car'. But then again if they do that, it will pissed off the P1 buyers.
Grant:
noone1:
I think they are right to be a bit pissed off, at least in the US. The Spider has been out for only a year and now it's been facelifted and supposedly improved significantly.
I think the 650S is a new model, not a facelift. The 12C will continue on, not replaced by it.
It's still a 12C regardless of what the name is and the rumored price is expected to be 5-10% higher, but include CCB and some other options.
So, regardless of whether the 12C continues to be available or not, it makes no sense to order one because the 650S is better, not much more expensive, and has the new look. I've heard dealers don't even plan to order and 12Cs unless special request. McLaren acknowledged in an interview that the 650S may well kill 12C sales.
Whoopsy:
McLaren just used the wrong term to describe their cars.
Porsche uses the term 'variants' to describe different versions of the 911, it doesn't say a GT3 is a 'new car' that differs from the C2S.
Since the 12C, the 650S, the P1 and a couple other future cars are all based on the initial 12C platform, McLaren could have called all of them 'variants' not 'new car'. But then again if they do that, it will pissed off the P1 buyers.
Even if they called it a new variant it would still be a 12c with minor optimizations (i.e. facelift), right Or put it differently: who would take a 12c instead of the 650s (if not the design was so ugly)
Feb 20, 2014 10:06:53 PM
McLaren 650S: First Look by Evo...
"Evo talks to McLaren about the new 12C-based 650S supercar. The new model will sit above the 12C, gunning for the Ferrari 458 Speciale, and features a new version of the M838T 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. Power has been increased from 616bhp to 641bhp, with torque now pegged at 500lb ft."
McLaren 650S: First Look by Evo -- Video Link
Feb 21, 2014 2:47:46 AM
There r a lot more tech. Implanted into 650S, so the terms should be a facelift instead of new model.
The figure 0-100; 3second is going to beat 991TTS now, never mind 0-200. A rear wheel drive can hit3second is very impressive, Corsa tire certainly did most of the trick here.
One thing I don't get is this kinetic transfer energy during gear shift thing..... What is that? How did they transfer the kinetic energy? Electric?
Feb 21, 2014 3:18:49 PM
talking with the McLaren rep last night at the Toronto International Auto Show, unless specifically ordered they are not bringing in any more 12C. His exact words were "this is the 12C 650. Once it's released and delivered the pre-facelift 12C will go away. coupe and spyder released at the same time." They also had a P1 (in white) at the show, they sold 7 in Canada.
Past-President, Porsche Club of America - Upper Canada Region
Mithras:
talking with the McLaren rep last night at the Toronto International Auto Show, unless specifically ordered they are not bringing in any more 12C. His exact words were "this is the 12C 650. Once it's released and delivered the pre-facelift 12C will go away. coupe and spyder released at the same time." They also had a P1 (in white) at the show, they sold 7 in Canada.
I guess that's one way to raise the price of the 12C by 15%...
73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550
Mithras:
talking with the McLaren rep last night at the Toronto International Auto Show, unless specifically ordered they are not bringing in any more 12C. His exact words were "this is the 12C 650. Once it's released and delivered the pre-facelift 12C will go away. coupe and spyder released at the same time." They also had a P1 (in white) at the show, they sold 7 in Canada.
Initially they had 10 allocations. The 3 unassigned has been transferred to other markets. I believe the Toronto office sold 6 and the Vancouver sold 1.