720S Ferrari could learn something from Mac on this

The 720S is the fastest car in terms of everything!

 

IMO technically wise McLaren is lightyears ahead. In the area of eomitionality, the distance to Ferrari is also getting smaller and smaller. Even worse for Ferrari, also in this respect McLaren has set to overtake. If I compare the 600LT with a Pista, the 600LT is already much more emotional to drive. I'm curious how Ferrari will react.

 

Bingo. And maybe finally a better Homelink.

 

MUCH MUCH BETTER! Ferrari turbo engines with their maximum power at engine speeds they never reach, what a convincing thing.

...and if it's not the engine, then is it the Ferrari myth.

 

Being a long term Ferrari guy I'll wade into this debate with a few things I've observed in my short ownership experience of McLaren so far...

1. Spare parts are vastly more expensive than Ferrari, vastly more expensive than even Lamborghini whom I used to hold as the highest priced parts (typically x3 more than Ferrari). McLaren prices are all over the place with no reasoning whatsoever for the actual price points. This doesn't hold well for keeping the older cars in tip top condition in the future. Some people won't pay the extortionate prices and try to repair rather than replace faulty parts. This is a real shame...

2. Ergonomics may not be either brands best point but the McLaren has some quirks that I find strange and non intuitive. At least they haven't tried to use the gimmick of festooning the steering wheel with millions of buttons like Ferrari marketing insisted upon (so they could claim closer connection to F1... hmm). Having real indicator stalks is a big plus for me here vs 458 and above. Neither brand does this particularly well but at least they make it look special. Both cars need to vastly improve on use of screens and touch controls, both feel dated compared to the latest offerings on say a 2019 Bentley Continental which just does things so well.

3. McLaren need to open up a bit more, especially as the cars get older. They are doing crazy stuff like trying to prevent specialist independents from completing with main dealers by witholding technical information from them. In the US this has actually been deemed illegal and only in that Geography are they trying to 'slow clap' comply with the law. I.e. providing older versions which don't work, etc. simply because they don't want to do it. I'd say they absolutely should grant access as far as possible to the schematics, technical information and spare parts should be better priced as it would attract people to buy a used McLaren which in turn will improve the residuals for new owners and older cars alike and get rid of this horrible reputation of unreliability. Only a few cars suffer this fate but in the days of social media it sounds like every car is a McLemon which clearly isn't the case. Providing access to get 3rd parties to fix problems will dramatically reduce costs for used owners which prevents silly headlines like a 100k bill for a car worth 120k... etc. If they want to keep newer cars in the dealer network, fine, do what Ferrari did and extend main manufacturers warranty for say 7 years and add the cost to new car list price. Job done.

Curiously the 12C and the 360 actually feel like they share the same DNA to me, its very strange but I feel 360 in the 12C driving experience. They've taken a lot of learning's from that car and improved on it in many areas. They still haven't got the sound right though and no matter what people say comparing a 360 with a Challenge Style exhaust to a 12C just makes me want to cry.. Glad I'm keeping both then