NFS Undercover McLaren F1 'Le Mans LM' Replica Report and Review

I don't know if anyone has done this before, but here goes. As you all probably know, NFS Hot Pusrsuit 2 was the last time that the McLaren F1 Le Mans appeared in a proper open road racing game, and I do still enjoy playing it until today. Particularly the ability to tailor even the car's detailed suspension settings and aerodynamic coefficients....... HP2's fine-tuning system still remains my favourite of any PC racing game thus far. But time does move on, and recently PC racing games have gotten even more advanced both in terms of graphics and driving dynamics. So, NFS Undercover is the next game to have featured the McLaren F1 Road Car in a proper open road racing game since the HP2 era.

With that in mind, me and my brother Timothy decided to try and create our own NFS: UC replica of the legendary F1 Le Mans using the F1 Road Car and whatever tuning options were available in the game. I do realize that it's not a 100% identical version of HP2's original F1 LM, which is why we call it a Replica, but we've tried our hardest and I think that it's the best that we could do with what is available in Undercover.

Please do forgive the somewhat poor quality of these pictures, as they were taken with my old K800i Cyber-shot phone's 3.2MP camera which still had some problems with taking close-up shots on my PC screen despite me adjusting it's settings as best as I could. Also, the graphics card on my desktop PC isn't exactly the best one out there, so please bear with me.


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06023.jpg
Obviously the entire front end of the car is faked, but it was either this or the normal body as it's the only optional bodykit available for the F1 in this game. There's also no hood tuning option to turn it into an LM or GTR-style one.


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06024.jpg
However I do like the way that the front splitter joins and integrates with the swollen front wheelarches, just like on the real LM.


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06025.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06027.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06028.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06030.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06032.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06033.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06035.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06040.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06043.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06044.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06045.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06046.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06049.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06051.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06053.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06052.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06054.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06055.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06056.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06057.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06059.jpg
You'll also notice that the rear wing spoiler doesn't fully extend out to the sides of the car like on the real thing, but again this was a game limitation and I've actually extended the wing out as wide as it's allowed to go.


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06061.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06062.jpg
These front wheelarch cooling louvres seem to be a 3-louvred version of those found on F1 Road Cars #073 and #018, and of course all 1997 F1 GTR Longtails, but not on the LMs. Another inaccuracy, but not exactly a catastrophic one IMO.


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06064.jpg
This F1 bodykit adds an additional air exit duct right next to the standard ducts in the doors, as you can see. While it never appeared on any of the original F1s I've seen thus far, I'm still undecided as to whether I like this particular element of the LM Replica or not. What do you think?


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06063.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06065.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06066.jpg
These wheels were the closest I could get in the game to the real OZ Chrono-style LM wheels.


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06067.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06068.jpg
Sigh, if only I could get my hands on those Papaya Orange engine cam covers with the GTR Winners 1995 24 Heures du Mans badging, but unfortunately the game does not allow any tuning or changes to this aspect.


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06070.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06069.jpg

http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06071.jpg'
Wrong exhaust configuration as LMs have all 4 tailpipes grouped together instead of separated. But I actually like the more modern and aerodynamic-looking carbon fiber rear diffuser, despite it not being true to the original LM. What do you think?


http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad83/atmclf1lm/NFSUCF1LM/DSC06072.jpg


Haha, and that's it. Things me and Tim don't like? The fact that I somehow managed to get the wheel sizes pretty much wrong, particularly the size of the front wheels......*smacks forehead*. Various inaccuracies and flaws on the bodywork, including the rather slab-sided rear end. The lack of any necessary F1 LM and GTR Winners 1995 24 Heures du Mans badging on all the parts of the car where they should appear. The still present F1 Road Car windows and full interior, which are totally wrong for an F1 LM, along with all the other things we couldn't do due to various game restrictions and limitations.

However, all things considered we're both pretty happy with what we've been able to create with this F1 Le Mans LM Replica.

The car does drive like a dream. While it's still not 100% accurate as HP2's simulated LM is, I think the game developers have done a credible job of preserving the F1 Road Car's true driving dynamics while still making it accessible to beginners. It is after all only a game. With all in-game performance upgrades fitted and tuned as best as can be, the thing truly accelerates like a rocket and has incredible razor sharp throttle response in all gears from 1st to 6th. The grip and mechanical traction it finds in corners is truly amazing, and steering inputs are met with sharp, instant handling response with no lag or hesitation at all. As it changes direction through fast switchbacks and chicanes with very little noticeable weight transfer, the LM Replica remains exceedingly stable and planted. Just like the real thing however, you do need to stay attentive, committed and on top of things to extract it's best performance without losing control and ending up with 'catastrophic consequences'.

Particular credit and recognition must go to my brother Timothy for correctly mixing this very accurate Historic Papaya Orange colour on the LM Replica using Undercover's somewhat tricky vehicle painting system.

All comments and feedback on the LM Replica are most welcome. If anyone feels that they can code or reprogramme certain elements in the game to refine and improve this LM Replica, in particular the engine cam covers and necessary F1 LM and GTR Winners 1995 24 Heures du Mans badging, please do not hesitate to contact me. Perhaps we can all collaborate and make a better F1 Le Mans LM Replica for Undercover, yeah? Let me know what you think.

Take care and I'll see you soon.

:thumbsup: I'm not sure what goes in to making such a car for a game, but that's a pretty good effort

When I mentioned in IM that you needed a 3d animated model of the LM to rotate around and take pictures of from every angle, I had no idea you already had one basically. :iceslolan

Nice effort with all the tweaks and photos. How's the game play?

>8^)
ER

Yep, the LM looks prity right to me. Of course there is no change to get everty detail right there I think.

Lol, Erik.

"The car does drive like a dream. While it's still not 100% accurate as HP2's simulated LM is, I think the game developers have done a credible job of preserving the F1 Road Car's true driving dynamics while still making it accessible to beginners. It is after all only a game. With all in-game performance upgrades fitted and tuned as best as can be, the thing truly accelerates like a rocket and has incredible razor sharp throttle response in all gears from 1st to 6th. The grip and mechanical traction it finds in corners is truly amazing, and steering inputs are met with sharp, instant handling response with no lag or hesitation at all. As it changes direction through fast switchbacks and chicanes with very little noticeable weight transfer, the LM Replica remains exceedingly stable and planted. Just like the real thing however, you do need to stay attentive, committed and on top of things to extract it's best performance without losing control and ending up with 'catastrophic consequences'."

And thanks for the compliment, Sami.