McLaren MP4-12C Puts Mercedes SLS to Shame
Published: November 13th, 2009
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More by Robert Farago
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I don't understand the headline. This video certainly doesn't show the car putting the SLS to shame. I'm sure Mercedes did testing on their car as well, and I'm sure they'd say it was a technology leader. The MP4-12C has likely already been surpassed, from a driver's perspective, by the 458. We'll wait to see, but the 458 is just sounding absurdly good. As far as the SLS, it's playing a more different game, one with fewer players - Aston, Audi, and maybe Spyker. And while I wouldn't want an automatic luxo-sports car, it at least is different from the twenty different "supercars" which all have basically similar goals (and looks). In the entry level supercar crowd, Ferrari is Ferrari and the MP4-12C has a dumb name and uninteresting looks. I hope the McLaren is great because I like great cars, but I'm just not seeing it spanking the Merc...
Interesting when I read comments about the 458 et al. As much of a fan as I am of cars and their designs, especially McLaren (amazing that the F1 spanks the bugatti 0-60), I can't help but go back to the Nissan GT-R. By all accounts a pig of a car (weight wise) that can do 0-60 in 3.3. One YouTube user video has it pegged at 3.1 stock. Every time I read about aftermarket companies cramming 720hp into an M3 and only getting 4.3 out of it, I'm more an more in awe of what Nissan has been able to do. Coupled with its reachable pricing, it solidifies it as "the" supercar in my mind. It's amazing what numbers like that can do to one's brain. I was at a high-end restaurant a month ago and saw a Ferrari 430 out front. J3sus that's a hot looking car... but then the monkey in my brain says "yeah... but it only does 0-60 in 4.0... what am I getting for the $?" Factor in depreciation in this market, and you're pissing away $. Did I just go off on a tangent?
It's a better looker than what Mercedes has produced of late. I wonder who as responsible for the ugliness of the old SLR.
The main conclusion of that clip is that they've managed to make a car that can be used when it's snowing outside, as well as when it's very hot. Ehhh, bravo I guess.