Tag: MP4-12C

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McLaren

Highlights from McLaren Automotive launch

McLaren Automotive launch

If you haven’t read all 30,000+ words from the press release on the McLaren Automotive launch, and who could blame you, then you can watch a four and a half minute highlights package straight after the break. In fact, you’d probably be well advised to watch this, and if any of the MP4-12C‘s technology grabs your fancy you can refer back to the full press release and read some more detail.

For example, the Seamless Shift Gearbox uses a semi-pressed state to prime the transmission prior to its next change, in much the same way a digital SLR camera will auto focus with a light press of the shutter release. Then there’s Brake Steer technology. Not to mention the on-board diagnostics system that can contact McLaren headquarters as soon as a fault arises, and the list goes on.

McLaren has initial plans to set up a dealer network in 19 countries, including Australia. No official pricing on the company’s first model, the MP4-12C, has been announced yet, other than to say the twin-turbo 3.8 litre V8 powered coupé will be priced between £125,000-175,000 (AU$205,000–287,000). Similarly, no official performance figures have been declared, but during the launch Managing Director Antony Sherrif did reveal the 12C’s expected key performance data.

There is little doubt this latest development for the Woking-based company is the realisation of a life goal for Executive Chairman Ron Dennis. He uses the term “pure McLaren” quite a lot when describing the new venture. Dennis is one that often polarises opinion, but, like him or loathe him, you have to admire the drive and passion he has invested in creating Britain’s newest automotive manufacturer.

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Jenson Button & Lewis Hamilton test the McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

Formula One world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton recently got their hands on a pair of prototype McLaren MP4-12Cs and were given an empty Goodwood track to test the car. With a 3.8 litre V8 ‘M838T’ engine producing 600bhp and an impressive 600Nm of torque, coupled to a, F1-like Seamless Shift Gearbox with seven gears, the lads were sure to have some fun.

Given their current employment status it’s no surprise that Button and Hamilton reckon the 12C is a tidy bit of kit. Jenson exclaims, “I was amazed by the car’s great stability at high speeds. It’s very quick in a straight line, too. In fact, the biggest problem with driving this car on a circuit is that sometimes you forget it’s a road car!”Meanwhile, Lewis says, “The 12C is a real driver’s car; it delivered on all my expectations. The visibility is great from the driver’s seat. You really appreciate that in tight corners. I loved the McLaren F1 when I drove it and, like that car, the huge front windscreen of the 12C allows you to take in all the information needed for perfect lines through apex turns.”

By the time the MP4-12C goes into final production more than 50 engineers will have driven 40-plus development cars in excess of 1,000,000 miles. That’s a lot of testing. Around 12 venues were used for testing, including the Top Gear test track and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The 12C has also been pushed to extremes of another kind by being tested at temperatures of -50°C and +50°C.

There’s more after the break, including video of Jenson and Lewis at the wheel of the MP4-12C.

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McLaren

McLaren Automotive – The launch of a new car company

McLaren MP4-12C

The live launch of McLaren Automotive has just finished and with it comes a plethora of press material. There is a lot of information included in the official press release, including transcripts from today’s launch. Actually, the amount of material below is overwhelming. I suggest you get yourself a nice warm cuppa and sit yourself down for a while.

However, McLaren is approaching their new sportscar venture, and the MP4-12C, in a methodical and considered way. As such there are numerous interesting factoids below and if you missed the launch I recommend you take in as much of the material as you can.

To close here before making the jump, the 12C is simply the first of McLaren’s new sportscar range. There’s already two other cars undergoing development. No rest for the wicked, hey.

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McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C key performance stats

McLaren MP4-12C

Antony Sheriff, speaking at the launch of McLaren Automotive, has just revealed the key performance data for the company’s new road car, the MP4-12C. Outright acceleration of such a car is a given, as the under 10 second claim for 0-200km/h time suggests. However, take a look at the deceleration numbers. The MP4-12C can come to a complete halt from 200km/h in under five seconds. From 100km/h the 12C can come to a stop in under 30 metres, that’s around seven car lengths. That’s impressive!

So, too, is the news that Sheriff just confirmed the MP4-12C will be coming to Australia.

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McLaren

McLaren Automotive launch

McLaren MP4-12C

According to Autocar McLaren Automotive will announce its future plans at 9:30pm tonight (AEDT). It is understood a production ready MP4-12C road car will be on show. Lewis Hamilton will also be in attendance to flash his pearly whites and tell us how great this new road car is. You can watch the streamed event live via the Autocar website on the link below.

[Source: Autocar]

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McLaren

Inside look: McLaren’s XP files

McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren Automotive have given us another insight into the development of their upcoming MP4-12C road car. Due for release in 2011, this is the second behind the scenes look from McLaren and follows November’s update.

In this latest clip (available after the jump) two XP Beta-phase prototypes are shown driving in Spain on public roads near Tarragona and at the Applus IDIADA test facility.

The interaction between McLaren and its audience is to be commended. However, it does paint a rather large target on the back of the MP4-12C. Will the car live up to its growing hype?  We shall have to wait and see…

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McLaren

Inside look: Developing the McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren Automotive have released new video footage of its latest supercar, the MP4-12C, being developed. Blah, blah, blah … watch the vid after the jump, and if you’re interested there’s a press release to go with.

Apparently there’s more videos to come, too. Which is a good thing, because it’s kinda cool being given an arcmchair ride during the creation of the MP4-12C.

Oh, is it just me, or is it a bit weird that the car is in full camo gear, given that official images have already been released?

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McLaren

Ron Dennis talks about the McLaren MP4-12C

Here are two official videos from McLaren Automotive which showcase the new MP4-12C. In the clip above, Ron Dennis talks about his new baby, while in the second clip we see Antony Sheriff, Managing Director McLaren Automotive, waxing lyrical about the 12C.

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VIDEO: McLaren MP4-12C

Celebrity car guy Jay Leno gets an inside look at the McLaren MP4-12C and is kind enough to share that look with the world. Someone really should give him a new shirt for Christmas, that denim number is getting a bit of a workout.

Anyway, the clip is quite good and there’s a nice snippet showcasing the MonoCell carbon fibre chassis. Naturally, Leno makes a play for getting the first US delivered MP4-12C. Well, you would too wouldn’t you!

After the jump you can watch a brief clip in which the car’s designer Frank Stephenson talks through some of the detailing. You’ll have to forgive the less than stellar audio.

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2011 McLaren MP4-12C photo gallery

2011 McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren Automotive is back, and back in a very big way. Seventeen years after the creation of the almighty McLaren F1 road car the company from Woking in Surrey is preparing its sequel.

McLaren wants to bring hypercar performance in to the supercar market. That means they reckon the MP-12C will be up there with the Bugatti Veyron for outright performance, but at a Porsche 911 Turbo price point. To put that in to numbers, McLaren expect their new creation will cost between £125,000 and £175,000 (AU$240,000-340,000) when it is ready for market release in 2011.

For pure performance numbers, the 12C will have a new 3.8 litre V8 ‘M838T’ engine good for a very healthy 600bhp and an impressive 600Nm of torque. At this point, McLaren haven’t published a kerb weight for the MP4-12C, but today’s press release has the words “light weight” scattered throughout. Expect the power to weight ratio, then, to be staggering. The 12C will have a seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch transmission. McLaren is already pontificating about the engine’s fuel efficiency and comparatively low CO2 emissions.

This time there is a conventional two seat layout. What is not conventional, though, is the construction of the chassis. Made from carbon fibre, McLaren have dubbed it the Carbon MonoCell. It tips the scales at just 80kg and can be formed in around four hours. Lightness, longevity and torsional rigidity are just three of the benefits of the MonoCell.

The McLaren MP4-12C is bespoke car with no carry over parts from any other manufacturers. Production will be coordinated solely by McLaren Automotive. Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Chairman is clearly excited by today’s news. And there is more to come.

“It is a long-held dream of mine to launch a range of high performance sports cars that set new standards in the industry,” said Dennis.

“We began designing and building cars for aficionados of thoroughbred sports cars almost 20 years ago. Incorporating the leading edge technologies that the McLaren Group has built up within its various companies, I believe we are now perfectly placed to open up this new chapter in McLaren’s history as well as play a part in the regeneration of high-tech manufacturing in the UK and global automotive environment,” he concluded.

As a pure design statement, Frank Stephenson (of MINI fame) has created a car that speaks performance efficiency, albeit lacking the drama such supercars usually possess. However, one gets the feeling that the drama from this car will come from the driving experience which is sure to be devastating, and I mean that in a very good way.

There’s plenty of photos of the McLaren MP4-12C after the break, all accessible as wallpaper-friendly 2000px super images by simply clicking on each image. The press release is lengthy, and rather than reproduce it here, you can download the Word document by clicking here.

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