May 2011

Price: $231,400

Competitors: Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo LP570 Superleggera

Powertrains: 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8, 592 hp, 443 lb ft; seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission, rear-wheel drive.

EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 14/22 mpg (estimated)

What's New: The MP4 is an all-new car, the first McLaren that lives up to the legendary F1 supercar. It's seats two in a carbon-fiber tub, clears 200 mph thanks to a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8, packs a clever combination of new tech, and rivals a Ferrari for visual impact.

Tech Tidbit: Where to begin? The MP4 skips conventional antiroll bars for hydraulically linked shocks that permit ample wheel movement yet limit cornering roll. Also, an automatic trail-braking system operates the inside rear caliper during cornering, to pull the nose into bends. Formula One cars had similar systems—until they were banned.

Driving Character: Climb in and it's clear that McLaren has shaved every detail to keep the width of its supercar down to manageable proportions. Even the navigation is turned sideways in interests of maintaining a skinny center console. There's plenty of room for two, though, with a great driving position, thanks to multi-adjustable seats and steering, and there's even space for a couple of small bags in the trunk. The massively powerful V8 is commendably torquey, but still has a Jekyll and Hyde nature—docile in town, but it lusts for the checkered flag when uncorked. McLaren says it'll sprint to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, a figure that's easily believable. Twin dial switches on the center console alter the reactions of the suspension and the transmission, with Normal, Sport and Track settings. Wile the ride is commendably plush in the normal setting, the Track position calls up the full potential of the car's technology. The MP4 attacks turns like a race car, with terrific steering feel and little brake dive or body roll. What's more, the various hardware, like the air brake and trail-braking feature, actually works. In short, this 3161-pound supercar feels cleaver-sharp and comes as close as one can get to an out of body experience on four wheels.

Favorite Detail: Juan Manuel Fangio's 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR had an air brake to aid stopping at the end of the Hunaudières straight at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The MP4-12C has revived the air brake, with a rear spoiler that stands upright during high-speed braking increasing drag and rear downforce.

Driver's Grievance: Scissor doors might look supercar sexy, but they also add a couple of feet to the width when they're open. Those doors and their impossible-to-find openers (instead of a handle, there's just a button under the body crease) make it as difficult to get into this car as it is to get out of.

The Bottom Line: Speed and efficiency are the minimum requirements in the supercar game and the new McLaren is more than up to scratch in both departments. It's faster than the Ferrari 458 and the Lamborghini Gallardo, but as we all know, cars like this are bought with the emotional right brain as much as with the analytical left. While early impressions were that the MP4's design was too staid compared to the flamboyant and passionate Italian models, its street presence is undeniable, and one could even call it beautiful from some angles. There's no shortage of passion from the British engineers responsible for its genesis, either. Honed on the company's Formula One simulator, the MP4-12C is razor-sharp on the track, but its innovative hydraulic systems make it a safe and exploitable car. McLaren also says it produces the lowest carbon emissions per horsepower in its class. It's not a detail that will attract too many buyers, but it makes these road-racing behemoths more acceptable to the general public.

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