FUTUREICONS
previous 911s’ hydraulic set-ups,it’s incrediblyaccurateand
allows inch-perfectplacement thatamply servesthe broader
repertoireofa car withsomuchfront-end grip and composure
you wonderif there’s a fan sucking it onto the tarmac. Assuming
you wanttogofast ratherthansideways, you simplypoint the
noseatthe apex, giveit asmuchgas asyou dareand let the
chassis’ mechanicalpurchaseand PASMcombine tomaximise
grip and keepthe cornering balance neutral. The upshotis
astonishing:flat, accuratecornering atspeed.It’s a masterclass
inmovingand asI returntothe paddockatAngleseyI know
that, whateverunfolds inthe McLarenand Mercedes, it won’t
beasutterly sussedaswhat I’vejust experienced inthe Porsche.
Onlyproblemis, T-specplays onlya minor partinthis. It’s
because it’s a 911.
Let’s see... 57 0S, 675LT, 60 0LT,P1and,backinthe day, F1
- alltickedoff. But tothe amazement ofmycolleagues atevo,
this will bethe first timeI’vedriventhe car that started it allfor
McLarenAutomotive, the MP4-12C.Well, betterlate...
I havea hunch timewill bekindtothe 12C.It may nothave
beenthe best looking orsoundingsupercarof 20 11, but then
it was attemptingtorip upthe rule book.And withfresh eyes,
styling thatinitially seemedlikea proposalLotus rejectedfor a
new Esprit now looks oddly cool and elegant.
Cometothink of it, I’m rathergladI didn’t drive the 12C when
it was new.I might havejoinedin the chorusof complaints about
it being a bit anodyne – not‘supercar’ enoughinthe traditional
loud‘n’ lairy, nape-tingling, wow-factorsense of the word. These
werecriticismsMcLarenacted uponand usedtoinformthe
Left:SLS Black Series can be hard work on the wrong road, but its 622bhp
6.2-litre V8 leaves a lasting impression.Right:A1 quattro is small but perfectly
formed, and on the move its diminutive size works to its advantage