"(Mclaren) MP4-12C may sound like a fax machine, but this car is fast." - Clarkson
Those of you out there downloading and watching the current season of Top Gear are already all over this, but those like me who don't have the energy to search out television (Takahashi delivers it on a bi-weekly basis) the YouTubes have you covered -- at least until the Beeb pulls it down.
On this week's episode of Top Gear, the guys got their hands on the newest British supercar, put it up against a Ferrari 458 Italia and then, of course, crammed The Stig behind the wheel and set it 'round the Top Gear Test Track.
To see how it did, click through the jump to see the video, but here's a teaser: Well. Extremely well.
( Autoblog)
church123 says:
02:00 PM, 07/11/11
Somehow I suspect that it will not record anywhere near that sort of differential in head to head tests from any other source. I have no problem believing that the McLaren could be faster than a 458. But given the similar power to weight, general size, transmission type, etc., the only thing that could explain that sort of differential, plausibly, would be full on race tires vs. generic summer tires.
Time will tell. But kudos to McLaren regardless.
subytrojan says:
02:17 PM, 07/11/11
The proper racing drivers at Fifth Gear (Tiff Needell and Jason Plato) preferred the 458 Italia much more than the MP4-12C. You can waatch their findings on YouTube.
leftnose says:
02:23 PM, 07/11/11
What's with the Tron soundtrack this season? I like the soundtrack but I don't think it fits the editing style of the show.
huyracing says:
03:20 PM, 07/11/11
Jeremy Clarkson also preferred the Ferrari, but the McLaren is faster. The legitimacy of said times could be simply due to the McLaren being tuned for that track. However... NA vs Turbo (modern Turbo engines usually have massive torque curves) and don't forget how much better the traction was in the McLaren.
church123 says:
04:11 PM, 07/11/11
The video displayed a Ferrari with the mannetino set to full off. The car won't do those sort of tire smoking drift antics otherwise. I suspect this was to try and visibly demonstrate what Clarkson was talking about, but I don't think its an accurate depiction of the real traction deficit involved.
Just perusing Edmunds test drive of the MP4-12C, apparently Pirellia P-Zero Corsa DOT race tires are an optional fitment on the car. I wonder if perhaps the test vehicle was equipped with those in this case.
ddark13 says:
05:02 PM, 07/11/11
thanks for the post. fifth gear really favored the 458 to the mclaren but after seeing that it is 3 seconds a lap faster and 2nd on the leaderboard i have to get it a huge amount of respect
bodyblue says:
05:23 AM, 07/12/11
"I suspect this was to try and visibly demonstrate what Clarkson was talking about, but I don't think its an accurate depiction of the real traction deficit involved."
How shocking that Top Gear would distort tests to make better (to them) television! I am so done with them.
dougtheeng says:
07:12 AM, 07/12/11
Top Gear said the Mclaren was tuned on their test track, didn't they? That must be some sort of advantage.
"What's with the Tron soundtrack this season? I like the soundtrack but I don't think it fits the editing style of the show."
I like the Tron music - I think its been appropriately used. In past seasons they have used other high profile music as well, like Gladiator and LOTR.
teampenske3 says:
07:23 AM, 07/12/11
FYI, McLaren used the Top Gear test track to do development work on the MP4-12C. Also, take into account that this car was lapped by New Stig, while the Fezza was lapped by Old Stig (aka Ben Collins) in season 15, so I'm sure that driver skill played a role as well. New Stig seems to be a bit faster.
@ BB
Sounding a bit grumpy this morning, no?
@ dougtheeng
I think they used Transformers music during the Albanian mafia thing last series, IIRC.
leftnose says:
08:17 AM, 07/12/11
Don't get me wrong, I like the Tron soundtrack on its own, I just don't like how TG is using it.
"A gallon of guano in its gut!" ROTFLMAO!