How long a test drive do you need before you’ve made your mind up about a car? I'm referring to a new model, of course. So, no "is that the trunnion–bearing on its way out?" considerations.

Too often, we've sort of decided to buy the thing, and the once–up–and–down–the–dual–carriageway is the icing on the cake. I'm sure a carefully selected McLaren Automotive dealer will look after a client in the most accomplished way, but the opportunities for raising the tail spoiler on an MP4–12C around Hyde Park are, at best, limited.

Which is where the motoring press comes in, giving that 'in the seat' experience to potential buyers unsure as to exactly where their £175k–or–so should be invested. I reckon I can get a fairly good impression of a car after the briefest of drives, with in–depth understanding only soaking in after a weekend of real–life, non–car–launch driving.

Today on Classic Driver, John Simister gives the most perfectly formed opinion of the car of the moment, the new McLaren. And I'm delighted to read that my all–too–instant impressions of the car a few weeks ago are borne out by John's as–usual, brilliant assessment.

We've also a report on the opening of the British company's flagship at One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge. Go on, ask them for a test drive, and don't be disappointed if it's to Marble Arch and back – but do have our review in the back of your mind. I don't think you'll come away disappointed.

But nearly £200k poorer, quite possibly.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

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