Brilliant new McLaren 650S tested at the limit on track

[@rousseau327]

I didn't like the front-end when it was first introduced, but it's starting to grow on me. It gives the 650S the dash of specialness in design that the 12C didn't have.

[@une_olive]

I exactly have the same feeling!

[@JonathanNichollsjono]

Olivier Martel Savoie It looks like a mix of road car and the GT3 racer... Purposeful

[@AnDuKn0Thi5MaN]

My thoughts exactly! The 12C just didn't feel like it stood out enough. I think we were all expecting more of a surprise when McLaren first revealed it. But I think they got it right this time, this is what the 12C should have been all along!

[@zhbroder]

this 650s is really growing on me.

[@chrislaracy7265]

I felt like the oddball when it came out, I've absolutely loved the styling from the beginning, and it's grown on me even more since release. The white with the black trim is downright sexy and the performance is outstanding apparently.

[@zhbroder]

***** see i really didn't care for the facelift at all but i'm starting to like it. now their brand has a distinct aesthetic and it looks less stupid

[@batman291]

The force is strong with this one...

[@tvanb]

Hahah good bye tires @ 4:30... Look at all those rubber chunks!!

[@Cur8or88]

I hope it was some of the older debris already on the track.

[@FloShaban]

Geez you weren't kidding. I really hope Cur is right and it was older debris because that seems like a dangerous amount to go from 1 drift.

[@anotherone10]

I wasn't too keen on the looks when the 650S was first unveiled, but its grown on me & I have to say it looks really nice in white. And those tyres look like they shred so easily, when its drifting theres rubber flying off left, right and center!

[@Baseketballify]

Agreed; different league than any Porsche. But don't tell Evo that. They'd rank the 911 GT3 1st, even if it's engine caught fire on the track. Bring on the 458 italia vs 458 Speciale vs 650S vs SLS AMG Black.

[@trefod]

For once I'd like to see a fast car driven fast, instead of driven like drift racer. It's like going sideways has erased all other forms of automotive enjoyment, because it makes for spectacular video. The 650s is a supercar, portraid here as a Sileighty.

[@taylor1038]

That's what I hated about Jeremy Clarkson and Tiff Needel's interpretation of the 12C. They only wanted sideways shenanigans while ignoring the fact that the 12C was (and still is) one of the fastest cars on the road. I think setting a ridiculous Nurburgring lap would be just as fun as drifting if not more so.

[@trefod]

taylor1038 word!

[@domzbu]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jhaabhishek]

taylor1038 12C is a great car...and Jeremy and Tiff didnt like it because it wasnt as good as a 458. The 458 is a very predictable car and easy to powerslide but they liked it more because the 458 can also set a fast lap time...whereas the 12C is good to drift(not as good as the e-diff in the Ferrari), also good in getting a lap time but not as much as the Ferrari...in other words the 458 was just more crisper. But with this(650s) Mclaren is back

[@InZomnia365]

abhishek jha What are you talking about. The 12C wasnt tailhappy at all. Its a almost clinically correct, scientific masterpiece for going fast. It was quicker than the 458 around a track, and doing so with millimeter precision... Jeremy said it was fantastic, but it was a bit dull. It lacked that crazy supercar feel. Youve got it all backwards, mate.

[@marcofava]

I think this and the 458 speciale need a head to head, badly

[@JonathanNichollsjono]

***** Crucifies? If you mean in a straight line then yes... However, the 458 Italia held its own against a 12C (Corsa tyres) on the track, and was faster than a normal tyred 12C... Let the games begin!

[@alexlam24]

Jonathan Nicholls I thought they tested the 2010 model which had an unoptimized ecu and what not.

[@JonathanNichollsjono]

***** I see. So let's have a four way battle 12C vs 458 Italia vs Speciale vs 650s.

[@brannonbarakat457]

Yep I don't know what Lamborghini was thinking when making the huracan the 458 speciale beats it 0-60 and huracan is awd and speciale also beats it 0-124

[@B0SS330]

I would be very surprised if the Speciale kept up with this... 597hp from a 4497cc V8 is world beating and probably something McLaren will never achieve in a production car but still 44hp short of the 650S which also has a massive 20% torque advantage over the Ferrari. If you're looking for a fair fight... stick a blower on that Ferrari V8 and let's see what happens (supercharger vs twin turbo)

[@bernzie001]

The McLarens exhaust note is soooo lovely and deep. I think if i fell in that exhaust id never get back out.

[@coureurdebois]

i still think the 12c has a cleaner look.... but this does look more "exotic" / "styled" which is what people seem to enjoy more. but still love the 12c just a little bit more

[@2007suprasport]

Wow! Where can I get one? And how much, is it on xbox1 or ps4?

[@AdamBoguszart]

Dear Santa.......

[@V8Chevy2412]

I don;t know. I think only the P1 deserves those headlights. It is elegant and full of beautiful curves so they fit the rest of the car, but this doesn't look quite right.

[@ccx806]

Yeah, I noticed that too. The front of this car looks a bit awkward. I don't like the 'copy and paste' styling of this car. Having said that, the car is a technical masterpiece

[@alexanderyoung8628]

1:47 - 3:10 That's some bloody good driving

[@TheShaneglass05]

Yup

[@autospotter15]

After watching this, I would prefer it over a 458 Italia!

[@coreyfisher2542]

This car looks so nice up close. There are quite a few McLarens running around Los Angeles right now. I haven't seen Jay Leno's P1 yet but I saw wonderful blue 650 in front of a restaurant in Pasadena. I think it fits nicely between the 12 C and the P1, style wise.

[@Chris.Davies]

I must be getting old, because I am disappointed not to see the car cornering on the limit at speed, rather than all that tyre-shredding silliness over and over again.

[@al8161]

improving greatly the reviews!! keep it on

[@TheArthoris]

Great review steve. Loved the inboard views. Cheers

[@donphobos]

A mental car, amazing piece of engineering.

[@higurro]

I think the looks are growing on me. It's not great, but it's growing on me.

[@ssaini5028]

Driving around the track sideways killing the rear tires amounts to whats exactly? A $50,000 Mustang can do that better, hey Autocar drive the car properly next time, show us what it can really do!

[@rousseau327]

It's like you chose to turn away every time he took a corner the "proper" way. He wasn't drifting through every corner.

[@RunnerRemRem]

Absolutely agree. This track test is empty of trackness. Only drifting.

[@ssaini5028]

ewt415 I think you were watching another video review

[@rousseau327]

Caesar Cornelius Are you really going to tell me that he drifted through every corner of the track?

[@ssaini5028]

ewt415 OK if I it makes you feel better he drifted through 99% of the track

[@98687]

"The brakes feel the same as the P1s" This is actually a compliment to the P1 seeing as it has regenerative braking from the electric motor and the 650s just has standard hydrolics and discs. Getting the feel of hydrolics from a regenerating brake is very difficult.

[@77bigdave]

Got the opportunity to see one of these in person last Saturday at the Euro Auto Festival at the BMW Manufacturing Plant near my house. It looks and sounds even better in person.

[@RWoody1995]

hm i have to say i didnt quite like the look of the 650s when i first saw it, i thought it looked like they took a P1 and melted the front and made it fat but now seeing it here driving on the track its growing on me, starting to look better than the original 12C looked

[@Winedawg2564]

Damn!! This guy shredded the shit outta those tires!!

[@JDMEXforme]

The front does not match the rest of the car. The car has straight lines through out the whole design in which the F1's headlights along with a more angular front could have been fitted instead.

[@Maurice_Moss]

You can see the rubber coming off the tires during a drift! Wonder how many sets of rears he used

[@DasE30Cuz]

Man, the turn-in speed is just immense.

[@slabsides1]

Breathtaking. As much as I luv the 458 Speciale, I'd take this over it. Incredible.

[@TheChannel1978]

Is the track Ascari in Spain?

[@TheStallion234]

I hate the clicking of the paddles. In Ferraris and Lamborghinis, you get the sense that you're pulling on a lever to change gears, not pushing a button, if that makes sense. If you've driven a Ferrari, or even the Maseratis/Alfa 8C, you know what I'm talking about. There's something almost mechanical about the way those levers feel and sound when changing gears vs. a button clicking like the new Mercs or this 650s.

[@TheStallion234]

Wolfgang Kan I thought F1 used single clutch transmissions?

[@jeebus2121]

TheStallion234 They are.

[@surpasslimits]

TheStallion234 No, they are seamless shift

[@TheStallion234]

jeebus2121 Yeah, I mean, there's just something more mechanical about the paddles in Fiat group cars (Ferrari/Alfa/Maserati). It feels as if you're actually changing a gear vs pushing a button which then changes the gear. It's tough to describe unless you've felt it.

[@jeebus2121]

surpasslimits There's still a clutch.

[@tohara1991]

the clicking of the paddles is really annoying

[@hanimarwan9422]

I like that Autocar soundtrack.

[@calaiscruiser]

lovely car! initially I wasn't so keen on the new design nose which is obviously inspired by the P1 but its somewhat started to grow on me and I think suites the overall look of the car quite well! Make the older nose from the 12c look rather plain and dated. I wish I had money..

[@lop8828]

I bet the sole purpose of the 3.8 was to show the nissan gurus how to optimize the power and efficiency of such displacement :) Just look how sharp it turns. Fckn fantastic! !

[@MTreddevil12]

***** flat plane cranks produce less vibration in the higher rpms. Car maker very much go over 2 liters just look at the accord, camry, optima all 2.4 then altima, mazda 6, chevy malabu with 2.5 liter engines.

[@MTreddevil12]

***** try revving a crossplane v8 past 7000rpm. The crank would have to be lightened to handle the rotation. Which means more vibration. Yes flat plane cranks are no as well balanced on paper but with clever engineering they can be just as smooth at low rpms and rev past 9k rpm. Look at Porches 4.6l v8 and the rumored Ford 5.0l + flat plane v8

[@alexlam24]

The engine was developed with Nissans help, they just went their own ways after they got past the design stage.

[@alexlam24]

The engine was developed with Nissans help, they just went their own ways after they got past the design stage.

[@alexlam24]

***** Wow, way to assume that I'm a "typical GT-R fucktard, ignorant". The evidence you stated still says that McLaren did help develop the engine. They bought the rights so they did further develop the engine.

[@hemdatpersaud5312]

This 650s seems more agile and fun more than the mp4-12c but i think the 650s is the reply to ferrari's 458 speciale

[@maxzimmermann6605]

Ascari is such an awesome and beautiful track! its my favorite head to head with the nordschleife!

[@AnDuKn0Thi5MaN]

Is it better than a 458 Specialé though??? I want to see a head to head!!

[@GarettFinney]

Why is this guy so good at driving lol

[@spencer19811]

Steve- I've always been a fan of your work but your review of the P1 sucked! You've definitely redeemed yourself on this one well done!

[@zhbroder]

truu. this video is fantastic

[@ccx806]

Agree 100%. His P1 review seemed more like an advertisement for the car rather than a full-blown review He's back to his high standard in this video

[@jeffwill4923]

I still prefer the 2012 HS front end. The 2014 50th edition is a update from the HS but I like that one also.

[@tough931]

i would like this thing vs GT3

[@zhbroder]

I want to see this car drag and hot lap battle an LP640 just to prove how technology in cars is becoming bonkers.

[@account5223]

nice shots

[@Rytis36]

that flappy pedals make cheap noise, get's annoying, isn't it?

[@zhbroder]

i do agree but it also sounds very competent for some reason. keep in mind the paddles are metal so it probably feels a bit like a rifle bold action or something

[@surpasslimits]

It's on a rocker, there has to be a specific point where the shift occurs

[@jhaabhishek]

thats also because its two ways...

[@TheWanskiz]

Damn, I should have been a journalist. This looks like too much fun.

[@sereneturmoil]

Steve, and Autocar as a whole, are very quickly and drastically falling behind the other major motor journalism channels in the quality and informative nature of their reviews. Another disappointment among many of recent.

[@blocksterz]

It just looks so stunning in white that i forgot all about the 12C...P1 mix design issues

[@Boschie143]

what a sick review!! :D

[@ntsmith715]

the reason the front doesn't match up with the rear is because the rear is the same as the previous model and the front is the same or similar to the p1

[@durveishrs4730]

dries3654 it looks messy at the rear with that black thing And the front looks like a mismatch

[@josj15]

that clicking noise when he pulls the paddle shifter is annoying and in a way highlights whatever (miniscule) time difference there is between pulling the paddle and the gear change taking place, they should've made it silent.

[@QrayzHD]

It's like he keeps hurting his right arm lol

[@jamescutter8760]

Looks lovely in white :D

[@andrewgrandahl]

Well done McLaren; video game status achieved.

[@jamesbuckley6483]

How does the expression 'as standard' apply to this vehicle?

[@ryancooper73]

Is this the Ascari Racetrack?

[@calebisoa6483]

what is the name of this track? where is it?

[@mujib5033]

Great review. I am going to get one!

[@angus20715]

looks awesome in white :D

[@AeronN7]

The rear of this car really reminds me of the old Jaguar XJ220

[@3yar1983]

i stopped watching this guy for a while after his show of range rover vs porsche cayenne turbo !! and oh Steve .. you'll never be a Chris Harris !

[@nbrigdan]

Partially I agree with you, partially I don't. After the Range vs. Cayenne I felt the same way. But Steve is an ex racing driver, so I still value his opinion, even if it's quite biased towards British cars.

[@oanamuresan3148]

You stopped watching his show because he didn't agree with you? Twat. Steve is an excellent car journalist and brings something different to the table. Sutcliffe has his own unique style of exuberance. He's as excited as a fat kid eating cake when he's driving.

[@ActingTanka]

Why the hell you are comparing Sutcliffe to Harris is beyond me. He's not trying to be Harris - he has a completely different style of driving and presenting. And yes, as stated above, he is an ex-race driver so his perceptions of car dynamics are not to be sneezed at

[@Puzzoozoo]

Wheels and tires were designed to roll straight, not sideways.

[@Ober1kenobi]

Little bit of Understeer... with 641hp... somewhat of a safety feature

[@adow77]

Very lovely indeed and it does look pretty easy to drive by supercar standards.

[@spacedog504]

It looks much better in white!!

[@bohanan5851]

I like this commentator. He says what you want to hear and leaves out the (Jeremy Clarkson-ish) nonsense.

[@Philbertbryan.w]

The front of the p1 the rear of the mp4-12c

[@ironcityblue]

They should use skinnier tires so it drifts more for better performance.

[@dartagnanx1]

Okay, funniest comment during this great drive had to be "I'm not getting enough heat in the tires", in response to the car's understeer. No, I don't think heat was the problem.

[@voilemontagne]

I dont understand why mclaren still using this fully open diff.i know that it has brake steer but it will never be as good as a true diff?.. can somebody explain to me?

[@zyoungson]

because mclaren are slick and they can make it work

[@HalfAssAssassin]

lelegume1635 I used to wonder this as well. I'm a huge fan of limited-slip diffs -- my current car has a clutch-pack LSD that is critical to the car's handling especially on the track, and in a prior car I spent good money to replace the open diff with a Torsen which was an absolute transformation. BUT I recently drove a 650S and I think I can now understand how an open diff w/brake steer can work just fine: 1) Unlike 400hp cars that tried and abandoned brake-diffs (like the IS-F), the 650S has power to spare. The power that is lost in the brake of the slipping wheel is insignificant compared to the power available, and even at max brake-steer there's still enough power to accelerate out of a turn at the traction limit. 2) Their brake-steer programming is awesome. Just guessing, but it felt like the car is programmed to automatically increase the throttle to very closely compensate for the power lost during brake-steer, and that its sensitive to the finest steering inputs and yaw motion. McLaren invented the system in F1 and dominated with it, so no surprise they can tune it so well.

[@voilemontagne]

HalfAssAssassin thanks for yours explanations. But is this system as snappy as it was in the 12c? because it seems to be better in the 650S. Is it just a question of programming?

[@HalfAssAssassin]

lelegume1635 I would guess its all programming. Sport handling mode in the 650S is probably close to what the original 12c was in its track setting.

[@voilemontagne]

HalfAssAssassin okay fine :) good job McLaren!

[@Max-zw3hf]

why do the headlights flicker?

[@Z3L33]

It's just how they come out on video, all LED headlights do the same thing, not really sure why tho.

[@Max-zw3hf]

thanks

[@GreatToastMigration]

Something to do with cameras not being able to film LEDs very well. In short, it's the camera, not the headlights.

[@Max-zw3hf]

thanks

[@cosawanty]

It is because the camera is filming at 1080p @ 24/25 or 30 frames per second. It is a fraction of the refresh rate of the LED lamp. So the camera is filming the on off flicker of the lamp. Just like in old cowboy movies the wheels on the wagons went backwards at certain speeds.

[@snyc42]

this and the 458 speciale are staring to grow on me

[@mcximus]

Amazing how modern tech can extract so much horse power out of a 3.8 liter.

[@TheMitch12356]

I have watch a few reviews now on the 650s, but no one has if it is better that the ferrari 458 speciale

[@DutchStoned]

Very impressive

[@L110508]

Against the Speciale, this will end-up like 12c against the 458. Performance is another thing, but the look, the sound, are far from Ferrari's. Turbocharged just won't stand a chance against NA when it comes to sound.

[@spencer19811]

Mr Sutcliffe certainly knows how to drive. What a car though.

[@tmat04]

I think I prefer this better than the P1! Well, at least in terms of looks. And you can tell this car is amazingly quick. I think it will TOAST the Ferrari 458 Speciale, 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S and Nissan GTR Nismo. I'm expecting the 2015 Corvette Z06 equiped with an 8sp auto transmission to be very quick, also, and to Perform great overall. But I still don't think it will be able to outperform the McLaren 650S. It will be interesting to see all the cars meantioned above battle it out in a comparison test, though.

[@Emadavid]

Ask me how many times I have watched this video 😂

[@mugdays]

"It's not just the engine, gearbox, and steering that McLaren has tweaked." Don't you mean "McLaren HAVE tweaked"? I thought you were British, mate!

[@EKisPEER]

Looks much better than the 12c

[@derekfurst6233]

Wow, i thought this was a p1 at first. great improvement

[@konnormillsap]

I totally agree: the car is fantastic!

[@carlylespicks]

Hey buddy! :D

[@konnormillsap]

Carlyle's Picks Hey man! How'd you like the 24 premier? 

[@carlylespicks]

Konnor Millsap I loved it even thought it was not the most spectacular like I remember.

[@konnormillsap]

Carlyle's Picks ya I agree. I think it will get to be that way again though. They just had to do the introduction type thing and now it can really get good. 

[@lfsracer79]

3:35 Five grand extra is "ouch"? Please, don't be ridiculous...

[@charlesrobichaud4585]

why have they not taken a hint from Pagani and, after braking hard into a corner, have the wing stay up, or come back up, to control the downforce to the rear so as to not destroy your tires.... or your lap time!!! can they not add a sensor from the traction control??? geez.!

[@M3Conv]

Like the McLaren engineers have something to learn from Pagani

[@charlesrobichaud4585]

M3Conv umm maybe!!! just a wing on the back can create catastrophic understeer!!! that's why Mr. Pagani was actually smart.! or maybe he saw a countach when he was younger that had the wings back and on the front, and said wow that's mean lookin!!! or like me, watched the Stig driving the Veyron ss and in the first turn he damn near understeers out into the grass!!!

[@Rytis36]

wonder if i created a youtube channel, buy crappy video camera, go to, let's say, porsche dealership and say: can i have a go in your gt3?

[@AntonEMaes]

people do that. Their videos are very boring.

[@snaprollinpitts]

Mclaren, Loooove it, oh and nice drivin.

[@zhbroder]

tach totally reminds me of an f1

[@noelynoelnh]

Well done McLaren!, finally a brit sports car company that can give ferrari porsche and Lamborghini a bloody nose, be proud!!!!!!

[@fjs0701]

I start loving this car!!!

[@blackonegreyone]

Not saying it's not brilliant (and this probably comes from the fact that I'll never be able to afford anything McLaren makes, and they are my favorite car company), but It looks like a P1 and a MP4-12C had a baby. I sorta liked the front end of the 12C. I will miss it.

[@st0shattack]

brown leather with a white and black exterior? what was the owner thinking...

[@zyoungson]

I think it looks stunning

[@aljack1979]

Zac Youngson agreed, classic Porsche colour combination from the 70s

[@nbrigdan]

Much fast, wow.

[@Techie-B]

I would love to see this vs the new GT2 RS when it is released by Porsche, the 458 Speciale and Lambo Huracan.

[@RunnerRemRem]

To much drifting. I learnt absolutely nothing about the car's behaviour on the track. Thank you for this non-track-test.

[@viasevenvai]

Holly Shiftwell was based on this car.

[@jennyfromjapan]

you know what...yes, the 650s is brilliant, but how about that camera-work?? i'm reminded of some of the rolling shots from when steve reviewed the 991 gt3: 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 tested by www.autocar.co.uk --has to be the best cameraman in the business. give this man some credit and print his name somewhere!!

[@Marticus518]

where's the limit you mention in the title? The drift limit? This isn't a fucking drift car.

[@vernonhampton6973]

I think it's an outstanding car and I don't mind the looks, but I'm not sure I understand why everyone wants to drift every car...