But this particular Artura is the real deal, or at least it should be. Unlike the launch cars, it’s not a pre-production prototype, but a customer-spec prototype that needs no excuses – neatly run-in, the button pressed, ready to go.
And for the next few months, despite good and probably bad weather, it will be my daily driver.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about the prospect. I know we all have to be alert to such things, but if you can figure out that if someone gives you the keys to a supercar weighing less than 1500kg and 671bhp and doesn’t want them back for a while, you might be in the wrong line of work – or play.
I could have had a lot more to say about the specification, but McLaren is so busy fulfilling existing orders that a new car wouldn’t have arrived until the summer. And while I might enjoy it even more, I don’t think anyone wants that. to wait even longer – and what’s more, a cold, wet winter is a much bigger challenge. If he can prove he’s an all-season supercar, that will be a powerful point in his favor.
All I asked for was a car with comfort seats, because I plan to drive it a long way, and a nose lift so he can pull out of my driveway. What turned up was a car with an option spend of over £30,000, which may sound like a lot but which I expect is quite typical, perhaps even somewhat modest.