The latest plans for McLaren Automotive’s global launch of a range of high-performance sports cars were announced today (March 18th) including performance data from recent testing programmes, details of the car’s innovative construction, and new technologies inspired by Formula 1.
Indicative performance data from the most recent test sessions are confirming the development team’s confidence in producing a car of exceptional out-and-out performance as well as quality, safety, comfort, and efficiency levels. The 12C is set to present new standards in the sports car market:
> 0 – 200 km/h under 10 sec
> 200 – 0 km/h under 5 sec
> 100 – 0 km/h under 3 sec / 30m; less than seven car lengths
> V-max over 200 mph
> ¼ mile around 11 sec
> CO2 under 300g/km
> Lightest dry weight around 1300kgs
Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive’s Programme Director said: “We are very encouraged with this first release of performance data from the latest XP-Beta development cars. We are focusing on ‘real-world’ performance that has relevance for 12C drivers on track or on road. As you would expect of McLaren, we are aiming to set new standards for all performance criteria, from top speed to fuel economy, in-gear acceleration to braking distances and carbon dioxide emissions.
“What these results don’t show though is the overall package compared to our competitors that will make the 12C easier to drive, more comfortable to spend time in, and dynamically jaw-dropping,” Vinnels concluded.
Continued development and testing programmes in New Zealand, Arizona, Spain, and at venues including the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring will deliver further performance figures in the summer before the first customer car is built at the McLaren Technology Centre in late-2010.
The innovative one-piece moulded carbon-fibre chassis (the MonoCell) is the key to the 12C’s performance, forming the structural heart of the car, and an ideal occupant cell that delivers exceptional crash test results and a unique driving environment.
The MonoCell’s low weight, structural rigidity, dimensional accuracy and innovative four-hour manufacturing process are the factors that support McLaren Automotive’s decision to structure its range of cars around this racing-derived technology. This concept is a core strand of McLaren’s DNA:
The structural integrity that a carbon chassis offers then allows McLaren Automotive the freedom to clothe the car with a combination of aluminium and low-density SMC (sheet moulding compounds) panels that, themselves, are ground-breaking: the SMC panels are 11 percent lighter than on any production car.
Reducing weight is an obsession at McLaren, borne of the principles that have driven McLaren’s racing teams to more motorsport success than any other: recent developments have lowered the MonoCell’s weight further to below 80 kilos, whilst continued lightweight engineering supports McLaren Automotive’s plans to launch the 12C at a lighter dry weight than any competitor at around 1300 kilos.
… the future of McLaren cars, is to offer what we call ‘accessible performance’, no matter what the driver’s ability.
McLaren Automotive is aiming for the 12C to be at least 75 kilos lighter than its nearest competitor and a long list of further lightweight solutions highlights the 12C’s introduction as a new type of sports car, driven by McLaren Automotive’s obsessive attention-to-detail. Examples include:
Not only is the 12C incredibly light and fast, it also features a range of new technologies, many inspired by Formula 1, and all unique to McLaren. In fact, the 12C has been described as ‘pure’ McLaren: all content in the car is bespoke to the 12C, from the switchgear to the engine:
Neil Patterson, Chief Engineer for the McLaren MP4-12C said: “Our goal for the 12C, and future McLaren cars, is to offer what we call ‘accessible performance’, no matter what the driver’s ability.
“With that in mind, with the technologies we have introduced, and with a small and lightweight, low- and mid-mounted engine, we have been able to deliver what we feel is a perfectly balanced chassis. The 12C will be a joy to drive in town, on an Autobahn, or on a track. There is no compromise and huge flexibility,” Patterson concluded.
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Nice to see their brake steer from the Hakkinen days hasn’t gone to waste and has trickled down onto what looks to be an incredible little machine.
Nice to see their brake steer from the Hakkinen days hasn’t gone to waste and has trickled down onto what looks to be an incredible little machine.
Nice to see their brake steer from the Hakkinen days hasn’t gone to waste and has trickled down onto what looks to be an incredible little machine.
Dry weight of 1300kg. I think that makes the new Gallardo SL’s dry weight of 1340kg even more impressive given it’s far from barebones itself and has all wheel drive.
As for the MP4-12C, I just don’t see any emotional appeal in it. Can’t wait for the comparison tests against the Lambo and 458, though.
Dry weight of 1300kg. I think that makes the new Gallardo SL’s dry weight of 1340kg even more impressive given it’s far from barebones itself and has all wheel drive.
As for the MP4-12C, I just don’t see any emotional appeal in it. Can’t wait for the comparison tests against the Lambo and 458, though.
Mike, whilst I am sure McLaren’s MP4-12C does indeed weigh 1300kg (dry) I’m not quite as confident in the Gallardo’s weight figures, but I’ve no doubt that the Macca is as light as it could be.
It’s grown on me the more I’ve seen it – I actually like it’s conservative looks, it won’t appeal to the traditional supercar fan who looks for a car that stops traffic with its looks, but when it comes down to ‘living’ with these cars I’d much rather take the more inocuous McLaren and enjoy it for its dynamics and feel.
As you say, I can’t wait to pit it against the opposition – the McLaren brand is known for ‘speaking quietly but carrying a big stick’, so if they think it’s good then I suspect it’s even better than that.
Mike, whilst I am sure McLaren’s MP4-12C does indeed weigh 1300kg (dry) I’m not quite as confident in the Gallardo’s weight figures, but I’ve no doubt that the Macca is as light as it could be.
It’s grown on me the more I’ve seen it – I actually like it’s conservative looks, it won’t appeal to the traditional supercar fan who looks for a car that stops traffic with its looks, but when it comes down to ‘living’ with these cars I’d much rather take the more inocuous McLaren and enjoy it for its dynamics and feel.
As you say, I can’t wait to pit it against the opposition – the McLaren brand is known for ‘speaking quietly but carrying a big stick’, so if they think it’s good then I suspect it’s even better than that.
I actually liked the 12C more when it was first unveiled, but it has faded in my mind over time.
If I had to chose an everyday supercar, it might have to be the Merc SLS. However, if I ultimately had to chose one for any occasion, it’d probably have to be a 458 (in Nero Daytona).
I actually liked the 12C more when it was first unveiled, but it has faded in my mind over time.
If I had to chose an everyday supercar, it might have to be the Merc SLS. However, if I ultimately had to chose one for any occasion, it’d probably have to be a 458 (in Nero Daytona).
I actually liked the 12C more when it was first unveiled, but it has faded in my mind over time.
If I had to chose an everyday supercar, it might have to be the Merc SLS. However, if I ultimately had to chose one for any occasion, it’d probably have to be a 458 (in Nero Daytona).
The 458 Italia wouldn’t get anywhere near my list of everyday supercars, despite the fact that modern Ferraris are much more usable than they used to be, they’re far too much hassle as a daily driver.
Porsche have always had this ground to themselves until the R8 came along – my choice of daily supercar would unquestionably be the R8 V10 (with Porsche’s 911 Turbo and Nissan’s GT-R coming a close second).
The MP4-12C strikes me as the R8-like choice in the £150-200k market.. (it sounds ridiculous to be describing a McLaren as analagous to an Audi, but then times have changed a lot since the days of the F1)
The 458 Italia wouldn’t get anywhere near my list of everyday supercars, despite the fact that modern Ferraris are much more usable than they used to be, they’re far too much hassle as a daily driver.
Porsche have always had this ground to themselves until the R8 came along – my choice of daily supercar would unquestionably be the R8 V10 (with Porsche’s 911 Turbo and Nissan’s GT-R coming a close second).
The MP4-12C strikes me as the R8-like choice in the £150-200k market.. (it sounds ridiculous to be describing a McLaren as analagous to an Audi, but then times have changed a lot since the days of the F1)
The 458 Italia wouldn’t get anywhere near my list of everyday supercars, despite the fact that modern Ferraris are much more usable than they used to be, they’re far too much hassle as a daily driver.
Porsche have always had this ground to themselves until the R8 came along – my choice of daily supercar would unquestionably be the R8 V10 (with Porsche’s 911 Turbo and Nissan’s GT-R coming a close second).
The MP4-12C strikes me as the R8-like choice in the £150-200k market.. (it sounds ridiculous to be describing a McLaren as analagous to an Audi, but then times have changed a lot since the days of the F1)
My basis for the 458 is that I think it would be well enough suited for some weekday use and special enough as a weekend toy. I think the R8 would garner too much attention as a daily driver, as the SLS is more subtle until you open the doors.
I can’t wait for the Esprit’s successor to complicate matters more…
My basis for the 458 is that I think it would be well enough suited for some weekday use and special enough as a weekend toy. I think the R8 would garner too much attention as a daily driver, as the SLS is more subtle until you open the doors.
I can’t wait for the Esprit’s successor to complicate matters more…
It would be a nice problem to have to choose between these, wouldn’t it? 😉
It would be a nice problem to have to choose between these, wouldn’t it? 😉
Oh, the agony of the rich.
Sad part is, I can’t even agonize over new MX-5’s and 5.0 Mustangs.
Oh, the agony of the rich.
Sad part is, I can’t even agonize over new MX-5’s and 5.0 Mustangs.
Think of it like this – in 10 years time MP4-12Cs and SLS’ will be knocking around at about $200,000, so you’ve got plenty of time to save up… 😉
Think of it like this – in 10 years time MP4-12Cs and SLS’ will be knocking around at about $200,000, so you’ve got plenty of time to save up… 😉
Think of it like this – in 10 years time MP4-12Cs and SLS’ will be knocking around at about $200,000, so you’ve got plenty of time to save up… 😉
Ah, these little chats in the comments are great, but speaking of saving up, I’ve got to get ready to go to work so I can merely afford the petrol in my awesome little NB MX-5 that’s probably just as fun as those supercars in the long run.
Ah, these little chats in the comments are great, but speaking of saving up, I’ve got to get ready to go to work so I can merely afford the petrol in my awesome little NB MX-5 that’s probably just as fun as those supercars in the long run.
Fun is a relative term, I’ve had more fun in MX-5s than in many a supercar..
Fun is a relative term, I’ve had more fun in MX-5s than in many a supercar..
…and the cute girl at work likes it.
…and the cute girl at work likes it.