MP4-12C (United Kingdom, 2011)

The MP4-12C has evolved from a concept developed in the McLaren Formula 1 simulator, into a high-performance sports car.

It is a mid-engined two seat sports car, created to bring F1 knowledge, acquired throughout the more than 40 years of F1 manufacturing, to the roads, in a car equipped with all the comforts for daily usage.

The design concept was created from the inside, out, building the car around the driver and passenger. The heart of the MP4-12C, the Carbon Mono Cell is a carbon fibre composite chassis and here the main obsession was to save the much amount of weight possible.

The production of the 12C chassis brings with it a new carbon fibre production process that reduces its production time to four hours, with the same quality standards.

The MP4-12C was developed focusing on the aerodynamics and engineering, with no changes in the design being made just because of style or appeal. The 12C’s front end features large air intakes, with a removable front splitter, bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights, inspired on McLaren’s logo, and a large windscreen with low cow completing the fascia.

One of the most distinctive features of the first McLaren model is the dihedral doors. This concept allows the driver and passenger to get into and out of the car in an easier way. With the doors moving forward and upwards less space is needed to enter the vehicle.

The M838T, standing for McLaren - 8 cylinder – 3.8 litres – Turbo, powers the MP4-12C. Delivering 600Nm and a maximum engine speed of 8500 rpm the 12C reaches a top speed above 200mph, accelerating from 0 to 200 km/h in less than 10 seconds. The engine powers the rear wheels through two wet clutches and a seven-speed SSG Seamless Shift dual-clutch gearbox.

The car premiered at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England in July 2010, the 12C then had its North American debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August of the same year.

The McLaren MP4-12C high-performance sports car is produced at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England, and a new McLaren Production Centre. 1000 production units are planned for the launch year 2011.