DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

A whole new thing.





A new stable mate for the old girl and (probably- cos its not sold yet) to replace the 996 GT3. A 2013 McLaren 12C spider.

The first week has seen 1000 miles under the wheels taking in a Central London traffic jam, motorway schlep, Oxfordshire country roads and a trackday at Silverstone. WHAT A CAR. Caution is always needed during the natural honeymoon period but I have never owned something with such a breadth of talent.

The technical details appeal to the engineer in me; the carbon fibre tub (a very safe place to be) the hydraulic suspension (and excellent ride quality), the air brake, the TVR-esque door 'handles'. And considering this as their first production road car, the quality of construction and tactility of the switch gear is very special indeed.

As is the transformation from Sunday school virgin to rabid whore with a press of the throttle and the full deployment of over 600 horses. If you are able to do this without the utterance - or shouting- of some rude words, good on you.

A bit of ying / yang.



Tacho still in the right place.



The most frugal supercar? This was bumbling along a 50mph A road in morning traffic. It can also return mid single digits.


A 43 years technology gap. Both great fun.

Very nice car the 12C, I spent a great day with one when they were launched and was very impressed by the ability. More recently tried the 650S ...... oh Lordy!!

Great choice of cars.

Very nice

yoda wrote:Very nice car the 12C, I spent a great day with one when they were launched and was very impressed by the ability. More recently tried the 650S ...... oh Lordy!!

Great choice of cars.

Thanks. I understand the 650S is a step up in several ways. But also in price. They can be bought new with significant dealer discounts now, but it also reinforces the man maths value case of a 12C with all it's kit where coupes start at 110k ish. Sell 2.4S and buy his 'n' hers Maccas. Makes u think....

Next year's sports series 540/570 duo will be 150->225k and not as accomplished as the 12C.

Lovely stuff. Enjoy, looks great.

I imagine it feels like piloting a spacecraft compared to the 2.2 judging by that cockpit, Joe.

What type of roof arrangement does it have?

A great acquisition.

Enjoy.

now that does look nice, what a great comparison

Thanks chaps. It's a folding carbon fibre hardtop. Takes 19secs up to 19mph. Like all of them it's the best of both worlds, v quiet when closed. You can drop the rear glass roof up or down for air and a bit more noise. You lose the shelf behind the seats common in this type of car layout, but, you can use the tonneau space if you don't want to drop the roof. Winter coats then.
I am off to Spa in a few weeks in it- a trip usually undertaken in the gt3. So lets see what happens there. Hopefully no blowouts but with it's tyre pressure and temperature telemetry (really!) I am sure will be fine. I am less sure about deploying >600 Bhp up eau rouge. Gulp.

What a cracker - enjoy !!