McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren launches its own separate automotive company to challenge the world's best sports cars

Twenty years of sports car design, engineering and production combined with inspirational success in Formula 1 have driven Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Chairman, to announce his plans for the ultimate line-up of technology-led and customer-focused performance cars for the 21st century. The rules in the sports car world are about to be re-written.

At its heart, the McLaren MP4-12C features a revolutionary carbon fibre chassis structure, the Carbon MonoCell: the first time a car in this market segment is based around such a strong and lightweight racing car engineering solution and the first time any car has ever featured a one-piece carbon fibre structure.

This step change in sports car design means that the MP4-12C introduces new standards not just in handling, ride and outright performance, but also safety, economy and practicality in an already competitive sector.

The MP4-12C is powered by a bespoke McLaren 'M838T' 3.8 litre, V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 600bhp, driving through a McLaren seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox. The engine has the highest specific power output in its segment which, when allied to its low weight carbon composite chassis, delivers exemplary power and torque-to-weight ratios.

It delivers a great soundtrack as well, highlighting the engine's performance, flexibility and drivability. The sound of the engine has been thoroughly engineered through exhaust manifold design and tuning of the exhaust and intake systems to deliver a unique engine note.

At its launch in 2011, expect the supply of the MP4-12C to be relatively scarce. In its first year McLaren plan to produce just 1,000 cars. The MP4-12C will be a technologically exclusive high performance sports car with a price that reflects such.

The New McLaren MP4-12C Coming Soon

[Source: Autoblog]