Turns out the most controversial thing about the McLaren P1 now is not the performance or the tech, but the carbon fiber panels that look like windows.
Now that I see it, it reminds me of a Dodge Avenger's fake window panel. That's not good. Does this happen because we stare at pictures of cars every day? Possibly. But that's not such a bad thing when assessing why cars have certain design traits. It turns out the P1's panel is actually functional, according to its designer. That earns it a little more credit.
But never forget styling is actually important when you're making something as extravagant as a P1. Jerry Seinfeld thinks the McLaren is ugly. But is Raphael crazy for criticizing a carbon fiber panel?
Some of you think so. Like, really think so.
I get where you're coming from, but I look at the P1 as the evolution of the F1. To me, it's the same relationship the Jaaaag F-Type has to the E-Type. Same family, not exactly a direct sequel, but they're both trying to do the same thing. I guess I can't fault McLaren for getting inspiration for a new wickedly-fast car, from their old wickedly-fast car.
It's a vent, and blacking it out looks better, and CF is better than any other material, not to mention that it's a rappel of the CF door panel. This shape is also McLaren's styling signature, even the mp4-12c has it.
It's not because it is bugging Clarkson that it needs to bug you as well.
Sorry Raph, but you are wrong about this. There is nothing wrong with what they did. Why shouldn't the P1 retain some cues from the F1? If that fake carbon window in some way led to the car being even slightly slower, I would agree, but we both know that's not the case. In fact, that small area is probably optimized for 231421 different air currents flowing over it at 23423% of .39089353 (I assume that's how McLaren engineers think.)
Because the designer didn't like how this looked.
At least has RealRoadNews a solution to this problem:
Malaise-era styling and accessories to the rescue!
Now we can all be friends again.
Photo: McLaren