The McLaren MP4-12C, later rebranded as the McLaren 12C, is a sports car produced by McLaren Automotive. Manufactured between 2011 and 2014, the MP4-12C was available as both a coupe and a retractable hard-top convertible, the latter known as the "Spider".
Merc1
Premium
Now you know I worship at the alter of Mercedes-Benz, but the 458i has already beaten the SLS by a comfortable margin so I don't think the SLS will be able to compete with the new MP4-12C either. AMG will have to do a SLS Black Series to get with these 2 purebred sports cars IMO.
M
M
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
Cannot wait to see Chris Harris, Tiff, Jezza et al. wring this out vs. the Italia.
NarutoRamen
Kraftwagen König
^^It's probably just me, but for some reason I wasn't impressed by the engine noise.
sako97
Autotechnik Ace
At Pebble Beach, I had the opportunity to spend quality time with MP4 and I am absolutely sold on every inch of the new Mclaren.
First we given a briefing by Anthony Sheriff and few of the other chaps from Mclaren. One thing I quickly noted is how conservative they were with their specs were. With 610hp/1200kg, their numbers were quite conservative for what the MP4 is capable of. Of course this is due to the fact that they would not like their competitors to receive a head start on numbers. Another thing I noted is how obsessed Mclaren is with Ferrari, not just with the development of the MP4 but the company itself. They boldly claimed that that are the most successful automotive racing team in history. I have always been a fan of the Mclaren F1 team, but even I found this statement quite ludicrous.
When I first saw the official pics of the MP4 online, I initially thought it was nice. The MP4 did not excite me at all, it was just nice. Seeing the car in real life was a totally different experience, the MP4 is quite beautiful and its very compact, not exciting, but beautiful just like the F1. I must note however some of the attendants at the booth thought the MP4 was rather bland. It is evident that it is not as pretty as a 458. The first 1:1 MP4 scale was completed in 2004. The design is british so it will age like fine wine. The 458, as sexy as it may at the moment, will eventually age and be replaced.
Wave your hand under the MP4’s door just a touch sensor to open the door (which is incredibly light like the SLR) climb into the very very comfortable seats, wrap your hand around the grippy steering wheel and you begin to realize how well thought out and tight (in a very good way) the interior is. It has everything one needs; a Video Kit with built-in telemetry, a Navigation system (which was developed by Microsoft), Dual-zone climate control (with the controls nicely integrated into the doors), gauges with LCD displays, and an audiophile quality audio system. Keep in mind this is a 1200kg vehicle. Another thing worth noting is the shift paddles, which instead of having two separate paddles both paddles are is one unit, you can shift up a gear by either pulling the right paddle or pushing the left paddle.
MP4-12C’s engine has the highest output in its class with lowest emissions. 80% of peak torque is available from just 2,000 RPM, all the way to the 8,500 RPM limiter. 10,500 RPM is what the engine will rev up to the engineers have decided to limit the engine for increased reliability. Keep in mind the engine is a 3.8L TT (Co-developed and built by Recaro), so there is room for engine upgrades.
Mclaren revealed that annual production is set to increase from an initial 1,000 units to 4,000, "when the range is complete". The output will consist of mid-engined and "highly efficient high-performance sports cars".
The official F1 replacement will make its big debut next year and I have been informed by the engineers that the design will make even the 918 Spyder look dated. Following the F1 replacement will be Mclaren's entry level Sportscar, which I'm assuming will target the 911.
Mclaren is destined to give the owners the definitive ownership experience, unlike Ferrari who turn off many of their clients the minute their cars are sold.
The press will have to wait until 2011 to get their hands on a MP4. They will begin clientele test drives in December as they want them to drive the demos first.
First we given a briefing by Anthony Sheriff and few of the other chaps from Mclaren. One thing I quickly noted is how conservative they were with their specs were. With 610hp/1200kg, their numbers were quite conservative for what the MP4 is capable of. Of course this is due to the fact that they would not like their competitors to receive a head start on numbers. Another thing I noted is how obsessed Mclaren is with Ferrari, not just with the development of the MP4 but the company itself. They boldly claimed that that are the most successful automotive racing team in history. I have always been a fan of the Mclaren F1 team, but even I found this statement quite ludicrous.
When I first saw the official pics of the MP4 online, I initially thought it was nice. The MP4 did not excite me at all, it was just nice. Seeing the car in real life was a totally different experience, the MP4 is quite beautiful and its very compact, not exciting, but beautiful just like the F1. I must note however some of the attendants at the booth thought the MP4 was rather bland. It is evident that it is not as pretty as a 458. The first 1:1 MP4 scale was completed in 2004. The design is british so it will age like fine wine. The 458, as sexy as it may at the moment, will eventually age and be replaced.
Wave your hand under the MP4’s door just a touch sensor to open the door (which is incredibly light like the SLR) climb into the very very comfortable seats, wrap your hand around the grippy steering wheel and you begin to realize how well thought out and tight (in a very good way) the interior is. It has everything one needs; a Video Kit with built-in telemetry, a Navigation system (which was developed by Microsoft), Dual-zone climate control (with the controls nicely integrated into the doors), gauges with LCD displays, and an audiophile quality audio system. Keep in mind this is a 1200kg vehicle. Another thing worth noting is the shift paddles, which instead of having two separate paddles both paddles are is one unit, you can shift up a gear by either pulling the right paddle or pushing the left paddle.
MP4-12C’s engine has the highest output in its class with lowest emissions. 80% of peak torque is available from just 2,000 RPM, all the way to the 8,500 RPM limiter. 10,500 RPM is what the engine will rev up to the engineers have decided to limit the engine for increased reliability. Keep in mind the engine is a 3.8L TT (Co-developed and built by Recaro), so there is room for engine upgrades.
Mclaren revealed that annual production is set to increase from an initial 1,000 units to 4,000, "when the range is complete". The output will consist of mid-engined and "highly efficient high-performance sports cars".
The official F1 replacement will make its big debut next year and I have been informed by the engineers that the design will make even the 918 Spyder look dated. Following the F1 replacement will be Mclaren's entry level Sportscar, which I'm assuming will target the 911.
Mclaren is destined to give the owners the definitive ownership experience, unlike Ferrari who turn off many of their clients the minute their cars are sold.
The press will have to wait until 2011 to get their hands on a MP4. They will begin clientele test drives in December as they want them to drive the demos first.
sako97
Autotechnik Ace
. Don't like the fact that you have to slam the SLR's doors shut to have them closed properly. I hope that's not the case with the MP4.
Wunderkind
Chicane Challenger
While I do agree the MP4-12C's styling is unadventurous. The design is very clinical and driven by functional considerations. It is very clean and very mechanical (by that I mean, it doesn't look like an animal like some Ferrari's or Lamborghini's).
I quite like it.
hoffmeister_fan
Kraftwagen König
suspension walk-around
2012 McLaren MP4-12C: Suspension Walkaround
Methinks there are wizards at McLaren, not engineers. The "Wizards of Woking" is what they ought to be called. For a quasi-start-up in the production auto field, McLaren has put so much technical know-how, it's just insane. I'm loving this car, and makes wonder what the successor to the nearly mythical F1 is going to be like.
2012 McLaren MP4-12C: Suspension Walkaround
Methinks there are wizards at McLaren, not engineers. The "Wizards of Woking" is what they ought to be called. For a quasi-start-up in the production auto field, McLaren has put so much technical know-how, it's just insane. I'm loving this car, and makes wonder what the successor to the nearly mythical F1 is going to be like.
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
The car was featured on Sky news today, a short 5 minute feature. If you're stance is that the car is soulless and dull then you'll be swallowing your words. When the ignition was switched on the roar coming from the engine gave me chills. It sounds absolutely wonderful, not to pithy but yet not to muddy.
Most gorgeous of all is all the carbon fiber work, it really does look more expensive than it's rivals. Here are some recent images from Wired:
Most gorgeous of all is all the carbon fiber work, it really does look more expensive than it's rivals. Here are some recent images from Wired:
Similar threads
McLaren
McLaren Automotive is a British luxury automotive manufacturer founded in 1985 as McLaren Cars and later
re-introduced as McLaren Automotive in 2010. Based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England,
the company's main products are sports cars, which are produced in-house in designated production
facilities. In July 2017, McLaren Automotive became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the wider McLaren Group.
Official website: McLaren Automotive
Official website: McLaren Automotive
