EDITORIAL

Ah, the excitement of it all: Button and Hamilton in identical cars, driving wheel–to–wheel on one of the world's most demanding circuits.

Sorry, what's that? Last weekend's Grand Prix? No, I'm referring to the video shown at yesterday's launch of McLaren Automotive, the company, and its first car, the MP4–12C. Under conditions of great secrecy, the two World Champions had been let loose in matt–black development cars at Goodwood, the resulting film giving buyers a pretty good idea of what the new, sub–£200k car is like.

Now, I don't think anyone was expecting them to conclude that they'd each rather have a 458 Italia, but their enthusiasm for what looks to be a world–beater (if I can be allowed a bit of national pride at this point) was genuine.

There is a little matter of the high–tech production facility still to be built alongside the existing McLaren Technology Centre but, by this time next year, customers lucky enough to be first in line for the MP4–12C will be anticipating a summer of racing, touring or commuting in one of the most thoroughly developed supercars the world has seen.

McLaren will brook no compromise. As McLaren Automotive's Managing Director, Antony Sheriff, explained: "We chose white for the colour of the factory for a reason — it's either clean, or it isn't."

Tough talk, but indicative of a company that will be a standard–setter when its 35–strong, global dealer network opens its glass doors later this year. We cannot wait.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

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