Today's a big day for McLaren. After ambitiously launching its own separate automotive division to follow in the footsteps of arch-rival Ferrari, the British race engineering firm has finally released its long-anticipated new supercar. Called the MP4-12C, it's been developed entirely in-house, and features the latest advances in automotive technology derived from the Formula 1 circuit.
Ooh, where to start? The MP4-12C is built around an extremely light and rigid carbon fiber tub. But rather than the heavier multi-piece tubs used by its competitors and predecessors, the MP4's is made from a single piece, weighing a spritely 176 pounds). The body panels are all carbon fiber and composites, making the new McLaren more expensive to build than its competitors and resulting in an expected £160,000 ($265k) price tag – higher than either the new Ferrari 458 Italia or the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, but lighter in weight, too.
Behind the tub sits a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine producing around 600 horsepower and 433 lb-ft of torque, offering what McLaren claims is the highest horsepower to CO2 ratio of any internal combustion engine on the market – gasoline, diesel or even hybrid. Contrary to earlier speculation that suggested Mercedes could continue furnishing its erstwhile partner with at least the engine blocks while producing its own SLS supercar and furnishing Pagani as well, McLaren says the unit was developed entirely in house. The bespoke mill features a flat-plane crank, dry sump and can rev up to 8,500 rpm, though 80% of the torque is said to be available from as low as 2,000 rpm. That ought to be good for a 0-60 time in the low threes and a 200+ mph top end.
While you might have expected carbon ceramic brakes to keep all that power and speed in check, McLaren says its conventional discs actually weigh less. They're aided by a Brake Steer system that brakes the inside rear wheel to combat understeer. But the real trick system is in the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, where Pre-Cog lets the driver load up the next gear by half-squeezing the paddle and then engaging with gunshot speed.
With the new MP4-12C, McLaren's betting the economy will bounce back soon. It's planning on building 1000 units in 2011, a quarter of which will go each to the domestic UK market and over here to the United States. The C designation also suggests that they're planning a roadster version to join the coupe. But for now, we'll just enjoy this first batch of images in the gallery below and peruse the lengthy press release after the jump.
kinda looks like the R8
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
good thing it will come with more than 350 horsepower stock.... hahahahaaaa
o_O Doesn't even look like a McLaren. More so a Lambo or even a Lotus. Plus 600hp? The McLaren F1 LM had more then that, and that was years ago?
Exodus 259 wrote:o_O Doesn't even look like a McLaren. More so a Lambo or even a Lotus. Plus 600hp? The McLaren F1 LM had more then that, and that was years ago?
Engine
The F1 LM also used the same engine as the 1995 F1 GTR without the race-mandated restrictors. The engine has a compression ratio of 11.0:1 and produces (680 bhp/500 kW) at 7800 RPM.[3] It has a peak torque of 705.0 Nm (520.0 ft·lbf) at 4500 rpm; the redline is at 8500 rpm. The total weight and horsepower of the car gives it a weight to power ratio of 3.4lb/hp [6]
Exodus 259 wrote:o_O Doesn't even look like a McLaren. More so a Lambo or even a Lotus. Plus 600hp? The McLaren F1 LM had more then that, and that was years ago?
You have to keep in mind that the McLaren F1 was built to be a streetable racecar. McLaren wanted to target the new Ferrari 458 with this car. The cost should tell you that this car isn't marketed to the same crowd as the F1. It'll carry a price tag of ~$265,000 as opposed to over a million for the F1.
But you are right, the car does carry a lot of cues from the Lambo. And if you take a look at the Ferrari 458, you can see that it carries a lot of body lines from it too. Although, the Ferrari appears to be a longer car than the McLaren.
Either way, I'd take all 4 cars mentioned in this post
That car looks like a cleaner version of the Saleen super-car. i like it.
2007 Corvette Z51 | Suzuki Swift GTi SCCA racer | 2008 Edge
Oh by no means am I bagging on the car. I love McLaren's. Just wish I could afford one, lol.
That makes sense about the price and what not. Crazy that the F1-LM goes for over a million now. They discontinued that in what, 98?
need one of those so i can get on ibroke300
JBOK.org / J-Bodies of Kentucky
Lots of F458 in that shape. Looks ok becuase of that, but Id take the 458 in a heart beat over the Mclaren, even with the power advantage. It'll be interesting to see if any aftermarket companies hack the computer or play with the turbos, I'm sure it will happen eventualy.
Travis Estep wrote:Exodus 259 wrote:o_O Doesn't even look like a McLaren. More so a Lambo or even a Lotus. Plus 600hp? The McLaren F1 LM had more then that, and that was years ago?
You have to keep in mind that the McLaren F1 was built to be a streetable racecar...
No! Gordon Murray wanted to build the ultimate STREET car using what he learned racing. People think its the other way around just cause they did race them. The story behind that is owners of the STREET cars were gonna race them anyways, and had approached Murray several times for help. In the end Murray gave in and provided factory help to get them racing properly. Thats also why they ended up with the long tail GTRs and LMs.
Engine choice is more or less green/economy driven. Smaller motor with less emissions but similar power with the turbos compared to the big V12 that was in the F1. Murray had his own specs for the F1 engine anyways that made it turn out as it did. And of course the price point mentioned earlier.
13.934 @ 97.82
ALL MOTOR
