| Year |
2009 -
|
| Engine |
3.8 litre,
twin-turbo, V8 |
| Transmission |
7-speed,
dual-clutch, RWD |
| Max
speed |
205 mph |
| 0-60
mph |
3.1 seconds |
| Horsepower |
592 hp
@ 7000 rpm |
| weight |
1,336
kgs / 2,945 lbs |
On September 9th 2009 McLaren unveiled their latest roadcar
the MP4-12C. Codenamed the P11 during the years of development,
the MP4-12C is the first complete supercar to emerge from the
McLaren factory since the legendary McLaren F1.
Just like the F1 the new MP4-12C is deeply influenced by Formula
1 race technology. And the name in fact recalls the company's
racing history.
The McLaren MP4-12C is based around a carbon
fiber tub which is both incredibly light, at just 80 kgs,
and immensely strong. As expected from a manufacturer like McLaren,
the MP4-12C is packed with the latest technology and innovative
ideas unique to the car. Brake steer is one such feature, it
is a technology McLaren pioneered on the F1 car back in '97.
Brakesteer helps to reduce understeer on entry to a corner and
improves traction on exit. It works by lightly braking the inside
rear wheel in fast cornering situations. Pre-Cog is another
trick up the MP4-12C's sleeve. This system makes for faster
gear changes by allowing the driver to load up the next gear
by half-squeezing the paddle in preparation for upshifting,
then once the paddle is fully squeezed the change is instantaneous.
The MP4-12C is powered by a twin-tubocharged, 3.8 litre V8 engine
developed in-house by McLaren. The engine, codenamed the 'M838T',
produces 592 horsepower and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque. A
dry sump and flat plane crankshaft allow the engine to be placed
extremely low in the chassis thereby lowering the centre of
gravity and improving handling responses. It also features composite
cam covers and intake manifolds, which reduce weight and heat
transmission into the charge air, as well as Nikasil-coated
aluminium liners for further weight reduction.
The power is sent to the rear wheels through two wet clutches
and a McLaren-developed seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch
gearbox (SSG). This gearbox offers variable settings, from 'normal'
to 'sport', right up to full race mode. In addition an ‘automatic’
mode, ‘launch control’ and ‘winter’ modes
can be selected, the latter changing all electronic functions
to suit low friction conditions and delivering maximum driver
aid and support.
The designers at McLaren have done a great job of giving the
MP4-12C its own identity. It doesn't borrow lines from other
supercars, and the proportions are extremely well balanced.
There are very few interuptions to the smooth lines, and the
rear 3/4 view is especially good with the high-mount exhausts
a perfect fit with the rear panel and taillights.
While McLaren's last supercar, the F1 was only sold in extremely
limited numbers, the MP4-12 will be produced in relatively large
numbers. However despite the new approach McLaren are determined
to keep the quality and service at premium levels. "It
doesn’t matter whether a customer is spending ten thousand
pounds or a million, it is their money and they rightly expect
to have pride in their purchase and be satisfied with it. Our
goal is to ensure that we exceed customers’ expectations,"
Said Alan Foster, McLaren's Production Director.
Similar and related vehicles:
McLaren F1
McLaren F1 GT
McLaren F1 LM
McLaren M6 GT
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