McLaren MP4-12C

Après la présentation technique, voici le deuxième volet de mon étude sur la MP4-12C, cette fois-ci une sélection d'articles publiés lors de la prise en main de la voiture, ainsi que quelques extraits du numéro spécial d'Autocar. L'ensemble du document essentiellement en anglais. Téléchargement valide jusqu'au 12 février sur Yousendit.

Second part of the study dedicated to the MP4-12C, available for download. This one is dedicated to first drives, as well as some extracts from the special issue from Autocar. Download available until February 12th on Yousendit.

En parallèle des articles de ce blog, j'ai aussi compilé une grande partie des données que j'ai pu réunir sur la MP4-12C. J'en arrive maintenant à un document de plus de 100 pages (qui inclut beaucoup de photos et a fait volontairement l'impasse sur les prises en main de la voiture, trop peu significatives quand on considère les jugements plus sévères qui ont fait suite à la présentation initiale de la voiture) que je vous propose au téléchargement via Yousendit. Je commence cette semaine par la présentation technique de la voiture, basée essentiellement sur 2 dossiers de presse de McLaren - attention, document exclusivement en anglais. La résolution est volontairement limitée pour un affichage à l'écran et une taille raisonnable de fichier, j'espère que la qualité sera malgré tout suffisante.

A suivre la semaine prochaine, un résumé des premiers essais de février ainsi qu'une sélection d'articles tirés du Hors-Série de Autocar sur la MP4.

Attention, lien valide uniquement jusqu'au 7 février, nombre de téléchargements limité - me faire savoir si vous rencontrez des problèmes.
In addition to the articles I post on this blog, I am also compiling in a document the information I can gather on the MP4-12C. I have now more than 100 pages (including a lot of pictures) on the car and I will share with you this document with Yousendit. First part uploaded today is the technical presentation of the car, which relies on two large press releases from McLaren. Resolution is optimised for screen viewing, not printing, in order to keep file size low. I hope it will be sufficient for the various screen sizes. Coming next week: first drive compilation, as well as a compilation of articles from Autocar Special Edition about the MP4.

Remark: link valid until February 7th, total number of downloads limited - let me know in case of problems.

My previous post has been translated and used on German Car Forum, so for English readers, I will redirect you to the discussion thread over there (with scans of the article).

Similarly, you can also follow a discussion I started on the topic on McLaren Life.

Comme rien n'est officiel sur cette série limitée faite par McLaren Special Operations, je ne compte pas m'attarder de trop sur ce blog sur cette voiture. Sachez juste que 5 modèles en existent, qu'il y aurait quelques chevaux en plus sous le capot ainsi que des modifications aérodynamiques 'fonctionnelle'. Plus sur ce sujet sur McLaren Life Forum. A titre personnel, je ne suis pas emballé par cette évolution, j'aime la pureté du design d'origine.
Since no official press release has been provided on the car and much of the information circulating on internet are off the record or just rumors, I do not plan to make an extensive article on the topic. I forward you to the on-going thread dedicated to this special edition done by McLaren Special Operations (limited to 5 cars) published on McLaren Life Forum. I am not very enthusiast about those modifications, I like much more the purity of the base deisgn.

I have spend some time compiling data and translated comments.

Nürburgring Nordschleife : 7'28" / 10 points (out of 10)

With the second fastest ever lap time, the McLaren MP4-12C sets the pace. When all sensors are operational, it provides its driver with absolutely inspiring driveability. The grip on the rear axle never seems to subside and the limit tends to be displayed by a slight understeer.

Hockhenheimring : 1'08"7 / 10 points

It is difficult to believe that the MP4-12C can achieve such handling performance without anti-roll bars and without mechanical differential lock, but it does! The pitch and roll are extremely low, thanks to the adaptive damper system, and the traction without concern. In high speed areas, the deceleration performance is convincing – up to 12.9 m / s ².

0-200-0 km/h : 15 seconds / 10 points

Thanks to the automated double clutch transmission, the acceleration is stunning. The traction control measures accurately the amount of slip for optimal take-off. Although the brakes provides good results at high speed (in combination with the airbrake), the final deceleration value (10.7 m / s ²) is rather modest due to lack of quality control in the lower speed range.

Aerodynamic balance : front load 2kg ; rear load 62 kg / 10 points

Even without excessive spoilers, the McLaren achieves significant downforce on both axles. When the rear wing is set in the high-downforce position, 610 Newton of downforce is generated at the rear, but the front value is reduced from 92 to 19 Newtons. The drag coefficient is rather modest at 0.37 with the wing in high position.

Lateral acceleration : 1,4g / 10 points

36m slalom : 138 km/h / 10 points

Until 85% of its performance envelope, the MP4-12C exhibits a very direct and absolutely neutral handling but some changes appear when getting close to the limit. In opposition to the track, where turn-in was brilliant and the steering completely neutral, the behavior reaches its limits in the many successive changes of direction of the 36-meter slalom. However, reactions are never excessive and always easy to control.

Evasive test : 157 km/h / 10 points

"It cannot be safer – goes like on rails," such is the comment written on the test sheet. The swaying tendency that was complained about in the 36-meters slalom is completely alien here. Totaly neutral, the McLaren masters this discipline. It does not reach the absolute best value, but the driveability and safety are at the highest level and deserve respect. The limiting factor here is probably the tire grip.

Wet handling : 1'38"7 / 1 point

Despite the bad lap time, the behavior is acceptable insofar as it is predictable and not tricky. The loss of grip is announced in an appropriate manner. The ABS is convincing in the wet with a high control performance. This is also the case for the intervention of the electronic stability system – if it is enabled.

By the way: the air conditioning also shows high efficacy in a wet environment, avoiding fog on the windows.

Total : 70/70 (71/80 with wet handling)

Driving pleasure : 10/10

Everyday use : 7/10

The McLaren MP4-12C has met with brio the expectations of the Supertest. With the exception of the wet handling, it has reached top score in all categories, a rare achivement.

Performances does not disappoint, but it was expected from a 600 hp, 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 operating in conjunction with a double clutch gearbox:

Prior to the test, how would behave the complex avantgarde suspension/chassis was a big question mark. But convincing lap times on the one hand and satisfactory evidence of a perfectly mastered roll or ride comfort on the other hand show that McLaren has reached its claimed target.

Notes:

- Test car had a sensor defect on the suspension on the first day of the test, which impacted its handling. Issues have been solved after repair (hence the comment in the Nürburgring paragraph).

- Braking performance is not fully convincing, in particular at low speed. The value registered at 100km/h does not compare favourably versus Porsche, Ferrari and Co. The concern is clearly not fading, but maybe mismatc between (ceramic) brakes and tires. ABS set-up issues.

- Baseprice: 200 000€ / test case price 262 311€, including ceramic brakes and sports tires.