I was lucky enough to be taken out in the latest McLaren MP4-12C prototype car this weekend.

Being a prototype it didn't have a complete interior, the centre console lcd screen was missing but it performed like a production model. My god does it perform, TC off in full track mode it is epic! Forget what you think about fast!! Sadly i only got to be a passenger but it was enough to put a massive grin on my face.

Here are a couple of photographs;

Who cares if it wasn't complete inside? How on earth did you manage to get a ride in that then? I'd consider myself lucky ever to see one, let alone experience a ride in one. Was it fast enough to make you swear, or did you just giggle like a girl?

I have a very good friend who is a McLaren development engineer.

I think it was more of a giggly fuuuuuuuuuuuck'n 'ell! It's just relentless in every gear. It has a sound generating diaphram on the plenum, so you can't hear the turbos but it makes a vtec sound like a hand blender.

I have a very good friend who is a McLaren development engineer.

Does he want a friend in Scarborough? I'm often a passenger in my mate's Integra Type R and that makes a lovely sound when on full chat. Can only imagine what the McLaren sounds like.

nice motor

Brilliantly epic!

Love how it's just randomly parked up as well - amongst all the usual motors

They've got a McLaren dealership opening up just down the road from me, so I'll hopefully see a few pottering about in the months ahead

I think I saw that one belting it down the A245 towards Cobham the other night. I thought it was the new McLaren but couldn't keep up with it (obviously), he was driving it rather quickly!!

Awesome car, thanks for sharing the pics too!

You probably did, different people drive it all the time. I think they are trying to get as many miles as possible in as a sort of final shakedown.

You should have seen inside the McLaren Tech Centre, that was something! All of the prototype cars and about 50 MP4's in various states of build on the temporary production line. Unfortunately i was advised not to take photographs :(

No photos in there - I can't think why

When are the first customer cars due? Is it August/Sept time?

Well i have been out and about again. This time in a spyder, just epic!! The acceleration really is immense even on wet roads.. i know what i would be buying if my numbers ever come up.

I had to wait a week or so before posting as the cars unveiling at pebble beach wasn't quite finished.

The blue tape and car bra is to protect it from stone chips, its being used to some development work but will eventually end up with a customer as a used car.

IMHO just doesn't look mad enough for a supercar.

Maybe it's purposefully a bit of a sleeper.

you're still a lucky beggar to get to play in that even as a passenger.

http://www.youtube.c...ed/8EI7p2p1QJI

33 to 40 seconds

They are very nice, was lucky to have a few laps in a tin top around the Top Gear (McLaren) test track a few weeks ago.

That is lovely. Even with the gaffa tape on it!

I live pretty close to one of the dealerships so have seen a few coupes out and about now. Personally I love them and would choose one over a 458 myself, given the choice of course

I get what people mean about them not being styled aggressively enough. They do look well in the metal - I never think photos do them justice having seen them up close. The sheer class and quality of the manufacture really shines through too - I've not seen paint quality like it before....

That is lovely. Even with the gaffa tape on it!

I live pretty close to one of the dealerships so have seen a few coupes out and about now. Personally I love them and would choose one over a 458 myself, given the choice of course

I get what people mean about them not being styled aggressively enough. They do look well in the metal - I never think photos do them justice having seen them up close. The sheer class and quality of the manufacture really shines through too - I've not seen paint quality like it before....

I saw one up here in Aberdeen a week or 2 ago. Lovely.

Would have a 458 over it though. Mac is too clinical. Playing second fiddle to the 458 is no insult though as that car is epic, easily the best car on sale.

I don't think it's second fiddle at all. I think they appeal to slightly different groups of people, despite being in the same price bracket. That's my own view anyway.

Plus I could never be bothered trying to adjust the lights and wipers from the centre of the steering wheel in the 458

Plus I could never be bothered trying to adjust the lights and wipers from the centre of the steering wheel in the 458

Good point im not buying one. Thats its decided. WIll stick with skoda instead.

Haha, I did sit in a 458 and the first thing I wondered was whether it would become second nature to operate everything from the wheel. I can imagine some buyers are quite confused, at least initially

Just have to hope you don't switch the manettino to 'race' while trying to switch the wipers on! :p

Haha, I did sit in a 458 and the first thing I wondered was whether it would become second nature to operate everything from the wheel. I can imagine some buyers are quite confused, at least initially

I wouldnt mind if i had to operate the wipers with my teeth. I would still love it.