McLaren 12C review

Where the 12C really counters against the 458 is in its sheer usability. It rides so smoothly, the steering is so light and sharp, and the ergonomics of its driver-centric dashboard are just sublime. It’s an absolute doddle to drive in even the most congested traffic, so simple its controls and so good its visibility.

The only bugbear is how wide its caravanner-spec wing mirrors seem to make it, but what they do add is a level of rear visibility that escapes so many of its mid-engined rivals with their letterbox rear windows. Even an oaf can parallel park a 12C with confidence.

It’s supremely comfortable, almost to the point of talking itself out of being truly special. The most thrilling supercar experiences I’ve had are in hard-edged mad b******s like Ferrari 458 Speciales and Porsche 911 GT3 RSs, and driving a 12C – no matter how fast I’ve dared go – has never figured in that list. Even wrapped up and with the roof down in the Spider on a winter’s day, it still doesn’t.

But that simply suggests that as a supercar to actually use, without a concerned check of the weather forecast days ahead of your journey, this could be the one.

Yeah, an Audi R8 or Porsche 911 Turbo can fulfil the same role. But do they have a carbon MonoCell, dihedral doors and a 1,000bhp hybrid hypercar among their offspring?