Love the new front end. Seems more impressive than a 12C as well. McLaren really is becoming my favorite super car brand

The 650's chassis itself its a piece of Engineering artwork... Looks quite simple but a lot of design and advanced engineering is put in it...Simply Beautiful...

The 12C will always have a special place in my heart, and I will miss it.

First and foremost, thank you Chris for the review. I now understand why people don't like the looks of the 650s. If you have a couple of hours, look up the videos of the mp4-12c during testing, and McLaren after many years of not producing a vehicle. McLaren had MASSIVE shoes to fill with the F1 as the benchmark, and it started with the 12C. The 12c blindsided the super car market beating cars on the drag and in the track, ON THEIR FIRST ATTEMPT. They also tied the 458 Italia at the Nurburgring. After the 12C, McLaren started working on the P1, which is arguably the best super/hyper car to date. The LaFerrari isn't being tested probably due to Ferrari's request. Last time Ferrari requested that, it was because the F40 was faster and better than the F50. Make your own conclusions. You can DAILY the P1, drive it in full electric, oh and if you wanted to lap the Nordschleife in under 7 minutes, you can :). The 650s has 75% 12C parts and 25% new parts. All the new improvements have been implemented due to the research and development of the P1. The 650s is 75% 12c, 25% more or less, P1. Lets be honest, who doesn't want the front of the P1? You cannot buy a P1, so here is a car with improvements taken from the P1, with the P1 front end. Well play McLaren, well played. 10 of 10. Lastly, if you by the spyder, you can drop the automatic hard top. yes automatic drop top in a car that will beat a Ferrari F12 and a 911 Turbo S. Let that sink in. If you don't like the car's looks, well that your opinion. But simply taking looks and not looking at the history and engineering, you are not quite getting it.

Excellent as always from Harris.

This video is almost 4 years old. If you look over Chris' left shoulder during the tech briefing you will see what looks to be 720S amongst the photos. McLaren is way ahead of the curve.

Chris I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that thinks the 12C is better looking.

I've already got some nostalgia for the camera work and great soundtrack of old CH Drive vids :)

You, Mr. Harris, should deffinately have your own TV-show. I'm looking forward to your reviews every week. You deliver as usual. Thank you. Never stop.

It's insane to think how far cars have come in the last 15 years or so. The Lambo Gallardo produced 560 bhp, while the big Murcielago was putting out 640bhp. Now we have this 650s, which is essentially a Huracan(Gallardo) rival, but it's producing more power than the "daddy" Lambo was making a few years ago.

Thanks for doing this whilst feeling so grotty Chris, I think I speak for all the viewers when I say we appreciate it. Interesting opinions there too. I really don't know what to make of them, you've left me a bit confused. I do know that I want a 650S though!

Jesus, that's how he drives when he's " under the weather"? Good man.

I want to comment on who much the filmography, audo, and presentation of these have improved since the start of DRIVE. These are absolutely amazing videos to watch. Thanks for your continuous improvements. Still think Cris Harris is the best part of the Drive Network... Cheers.

Even when sick you still produce one hell of a video!Feel better my friend and please keep your videos coming!

prefer the MP4-12C

I agree with Chris, I like the look of the 12C better. I dislike this front end

I will be keeping my 12c. Thanks for the help Chris!

Love this guy who films these, the slow-mos are great and the drifting from Chris even feeling under the weather are tops! lol

Nice review - and honest, which is invaluable. You go, Chris!

I've been waiting for a new Chris Harris video for ages.... every Wednesday waiting like a kid for Santa on Xmas!

This is how every review on cars should be done. Well Done Chris!

When I first saw this I was like nothing really special over the 12c but actually it's growing on me. I'm starting to like it more and more : D

The sound of that thing at startup.. Holy... Good review Chris.

half 12 c half p1, if the p1 and the 12 C had a baby this is the result

The 12C was simply too dull and aseptic, eclipsed by iconic legends (911 GT3 RS), screamo identity (Ferrari) or brute presence (Lambo). Even the Lexus LFA had more 'soul'. This update is great and much needed. I am actually considering the purchase of the coupé version in lime green with black wheels and optional exhaust.

Love the technical talks at the beginning of the videos lately!

Love the review Chris, thank god your a car journalist !

The rear doesn't match the front. I think its smart for McLaren to keep 12c as open option.

I'm with Chris, not a fan of the new nose. I wasn't a fan of the 12c nose, but it grew on me. Now, I prefer the 12c nose the the 650s. can you order a 650s with a 12c front bumper? lol

Love the rolling chassis portion of the video, very cool! Not sure I like the exterior facelift however :o

Get well soon mate - another cracking review.

Also prefer the nose of the 12C, though this one more distinct and the shape of the headlights elicits the trekkie-style McLaren logo. Now would be a great time to be thinking about picking up a used 12C, for those of us who prefer the understated front end look.

Chris, you're a hell of a reviewer. I love Ascari it's always fun to drive there.

12C front was OK, it's the horrible rear what they should change.

Amazing as always Chris :)

getting closer to a million subscribers good job

No screaming in a Chris Harris video was actually quite pleasant.

I love the new look McLaren is using.

This is epic, Jamie Corstorphine and Chris Harris :D missed you Jamie

Im dying to see the 458 refresh now.

Always look forward to Chris Harris' reviews, could make a 114i sound interesting.

Nearly all the reviews I have watched, read and heard is that all of the McLarens, 12c, 650s, F1, P1 are better than their Ferrari counterparts. Further more, this company is making better road cars after only 3 years in business than Ferrari and they have had 80 years! Oh, if your contemplating leaving an insulting trolling message first have a thought about how people will equate that to the level of your intelligence!

Great video Chris Harris is the man! Dude has the best job in the world!!!!

I think the 12c looks better, woulda actually been nice if they kept more of the front end from the 12c

Well done mclaren the new version of the 12c looks to be a good contender

Looks like the Ascari circuit. Great video Chris!

Looks good, just think the 12c looks a tiny big better

Drive please give us more in car footage/drivers perspective with Chris driving on the road courses flat out. He's great at what he does, show us!

great from you as always chris harris

So excited to see this

those drift shots are just pure eye candy :D

Great video as usual! Please add or make a separate video with your in car. It was interesting to se how the car reacted to your inputs.

I can't believe how much I love this car !

As always great vid CH. A comment of KZfaq, it would be great if videos had the time and time zone of when they're uploaded so we could know when roughly to expect the next show a week then.

Chris, those green New Balance and rolled up jeans is a massive fashion faux pas!

dedicated to his craft! Even working when you sick, I guess its that or miss out! Great vid as always.

And my friend received his 12C Spyder 2 weeks before they showed off this car. He still can't believe how the 12C can get any better.

This car and Chris Harris are amazing

What a great journalist Harris is! He also seems a pleasant chap! Any color other than Traffic Cone Orange, please!

Chris really is one of the best at this tbh.. yes the top gear guys does good reviews aswell, but there's also alot of comic when they review cars etc.. chris can do fun whilest being serious, better than most if u ask me:)

The speed was the i have seen u carry in these drifting videod awesome

i think Chris harris is the stig of topgear

I saw one yesterday in Australia (Melbourne). Who would have though that the delivery was that fast. (Was astounded)

gr8 video as usual! could u plzzzz do a s65amg vs xjr video!!!

The new front embodies the newer McLaren logo (it's relatively old though) and that's great it's a signature, but overall the new 12c just got a bit 458-ish, but with more numbers and those are rounded up thanks to the ps to bhp sneaky correlation. Overall I think it looks good and apparently it drives good.

CHRIS FUCKING HARRIS. the only nigga on the planet that drift supercars that is fucking expensive as fk in a review :). deserves all the recognition from youtube, media etc. all the other people drive the car too boring and doesnt give us the true meaning of the car.

12:10 Turbo-lag isn't the wait for turbos to spool up that's the boost threshold! Turbo-lag is the lack of response when spooling for an engine's power to change in response to throttle input. Matt Farah admitted he'd been getting this wrong on the Evo shoot last week.

The front brake discs are massive!

crisp new balances chris!

By my calculations, I have enough money to buy one in 35 years.

Ah the Ascari Resort! What a great track!

Respect.

Thanks the Lord for the new front end....I am a fan of the air-brake on the back too...:) I have also heard that the new entry level from McLaren will be a little bit shorter than the 650S and a little bit less power and a bit less expensive too. Styling will be inspired by the P1 of course....I don't know about you but Amend to that indeed (from me).

I hope someone lends a 458 Speciale to you in a near future, Chris... i know i would if i had one. :)

Shooting star travels roughly 22500 to 157500 miles/hr. Ron lied.

Love the Ascari Circuit!

Saw the 12c/650s side-by-side in Sydney and not that anyone else will care, but I agree the 12c looks much better. Love how low that engine sits in the chassis!

Another great video, Chris! Hope you're feeling better. I have no real life experience with Ascari but I've driven it quite a bit in Gran Turismo 6. Ascari is such a technical track that really makes the driver work to get the most out of a car. Feels awesome when you get it right though. :)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

nice vid chris, bring us some m3 and m4 action soon!

Saw a black one downtown a few days ago in Vancouver nice, not sure if it was a 650s but wow it is a small little car. I was in my van thinking nice micro supercar.

In terms of styling, I always appreciated the 'understated' nature of the 12C--but, the new styling tweaks are beginning to grow on me, especially after seeing one in the flesh. Sure, it may not be as (visually or mechanically) emotional as a 458, but for someone like myself that appreciates an obsession with engineering and efficiency, it's hard to think of a better supercar for semi-daily use.

Watching from Brazil! Very nice mini P1! haha

Already ? nice !!!

Nailed it on the "fussiness" aspect of the 650s' looks, I can see the P1 DNA in the new fascia/headlamps, it just doesn't seem to be as much of a looker as the 12c. With the added performance I can look past it, but really a 12c with less modified bodywork and same performance benefits would of been the real winner in my book.

Number plates changed 3 times during the video. Y300 MCL, Y400 MCL, Y222 MCL. Were there three cars used during the test, or does McLaren throw away license plates every time they put more fuel in the car?

Wow this mclaren looks like a mixture of the Mclaren P1 and the Mclaren 12c

I'd love to see Chris driving a D1 car. That would be entertaining.

That is TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

The 650s is 7 inches wider than the 12c. Does this cause a big difference in the drive and feel between the two? I don't like super wide cars and the 650s (from what I've read) is 82 inches wide and that seems big. It is bigger than most trucks and SUVs!

how come the number plate changes from when he gets in the car to when it is going around the track?

Modern cars are approaching perfection. Great aero, extreme power, great traction and grip, nearly perfected breaks and suspension. Does this one need more than 650hp or be even lighter? Only a handful of drivers can actually use its capabilities, on a racetrack at that. Where to go next? What to improve, and more importantly, why to improve anything? It's already excellent and far beyond actual use cases for such speed and power.

the front of the 12c looks so nice, I wish they had changed the rear

Nice seeing Jamie

That was quick!

Mclaren logic: Let the back stay the exact same and take the front of the other car in our range to make a "completely" new car :D

Wonder why we are seeing three different cars, if the license plates are anything to go on. Hope you are feeling better Chris and hope to see you hooning around more.

I have to agree on that nose, It seams that the rear looks still very MP4-12C with the more squared forms while the nose has taken some dev (an looks) from the P1. This somehow breaks the complete exterior impression of the car, and yes even more noticeable on footage switching between angles. While the P1 is very completed in it´s radical raw and curved shapes, the 650S lingers somewhere in between. It´s still a super cool car no doubt but some language has been lost or rather not really followed trough. I would absolutely opt for changing the rear to the new more curved from language for exterior completion, even that I actually liked the MP4-12C better. This is a to some extend a new model and slightly more than a simple facelift. And with the P1 leading the way the 650S seams weirdly a little to softly expressed - It´s difficult to explain but in my eyes it just does not promise as much for looks and the side intakes makes it look a little clustered around the belly - Bit weirdly pushed forward as well. The 12C has a slightly more conservative albeit also exclusive look - a bit understated. Id´say make the 650S look more aggressive, since it is also more aggressive, and as stated in the Video McLaren have the goal of being on the very top for performance in the segment. The more curved shapes language takes away some identity and that requires more raw elements to enhance the expression. The P1 works extremely well for its expression but it is also full of raw elements and the rear is supremely impressive - those lights are just so iconic and special. The 650S needs more of it´s big brothers expression.

Very interesting to see how the car is built under the body panels.

Am I the only oner who actually like the way he sounds with his voice like that? lol Nice driving btw mate ;)