An epic experience with McLaren

Driven

joined the McLaren Epic Tour NZ during the opening leg from Auckland to Taupo. other between sessions.

Their enjoyment clearly didn't centre around split times and smashed apexes. Petrol heads.

Thankfully the rain didn't last and was replaced with just enough sunshine to ensure a dry track for the final session — for which I would be using a beautiful Vermillion Red 570S.

There are many similarities between the 540C and 570S. They look much the same, and are more or less identical inside. Though the cream carpets in the 570 had become more and more beige as the day had gone on.

But though the pair share the same twin- turbo flat- plane crank 3.8- litre V8, they produce different noises.

The 540C is all turbo, while the 570 is far more musical due to an alternate exhaust package and 30 more horsepower.

In the dry and with former SuperTourer pilot Richard Moore coaching from the passenger seat, the experience had gone from a dressage to an intense collision of sweaty palms and high speeds; peaking at 235km/ h.

While the noise is different, what thankfully remains is the amount of feel that the 570 hands to the driver.

Under heavy brake the car squirms, and at the limit it feels like the back wants to swing sideways mid- corner.

But while some cars are more than happy to stab you in the back at the limit, the 570 gave the confidence to fight back thanks to