Well after just 40miles......
It's fast fast fast, and a proper super-car. Anyone that thinks it's boring, or like a GT-R (which I've also owned and is also unfairly criticised) really needs to get a ride in one. The power starts so low down that when you think you should change you realise you're only half way up the rev range! It revs to 70mph in 2nd and 107mph in 3rd. When changing from 2nd to 3rd under full acceleration the tyres frequently scramble for grip - serious thrust.
It HAS got some turbo lag, but really couldn't give a toss - even before full boost you've got more power than anything else on the road, and when going for it you keep the turbos spooled up anyway. Personally i think it adds a bit of that elusive 'character' (as well as making it seem even quicker).
Turn in is razor sharp and when going for it, you have to recalibrate yourself as you'll end up turning too much. There is some dynamic trickery going on somewhere, and I need to experiment more to know what it's doing and how to exploit it.
Complaints that it's too quiet? I've got the standard exhaust, and it growls and warbles even in normal mode. Even when ambling, in built up areas people 100ft+ up the road turn to see what's coming, and under hard acceleration it's as loud as anyone would want. Must be next loudest standard system after a Fezza (AFAIK it reads 104db static at 4k rpm).
From my limited driving so far, surprisingly it also get's more attention than the Atom, and people seem very warm towards it. I went to Staples earlier today, and all the staff gathered outside to see me pull off - and gave a round of applause. Also had a few wolf-whistles. Everyone seemed to know what it was, and loved it!
As for great mpg - bollox managed sub 10mpg on a 5mile spirited run this eve.
Few minor niggles, but I've been told there will be dealer updates to evolve the car in coming weeks/months, based on customer feedback:
- Driver door needs a huge slam to shut properly
- Having no door handles looks great, but in dark colours you get lots of smudging where you've closed the doors.
- Easy to accidentally flash main beam when indicating as over-sensitive stalk
- Window switches too far back on door for easy access
- Break pedal less linear than I'd like - though under hard breaking feedback/feel is great and momentous.
- Pre-cog on gear change is a load of bollox - give me one-click.
As a nice thank you for the delays (and the fact my satnav won't be working for a few weeks more still), Mclaren have given me a personally signed Jenson and Lewis print, 32gb Mclaren branded Ipod touch, and the IRIS system for free (£5k saving). Nice!
A theme clear amongst reviewers and early adopters is that the car constants reveals itself and abilities as you drive it more. Stay tuned......
[img width=800 height=590]
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2253/frontbg.jpg[/img]
[img width=800 height=591]
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9172/photo1xz.jpg[/img]
[img width=800 height=594]
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/5042/photo4mlv.jpg[/img]