McLaren prices MP4-12C at $229,000
#1
Speaks French in Russian
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McLaren unveils F1 successor: MP4-12C
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.
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.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/m...mages-surface/
Worst name ever.
Last edited by GFerg; 09-08-09 at 06:07 PM.
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#8
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I think its cool to have a new kid on the block.... ijust wish the kid wasn't so ugly( harsh). The styling doesn't say super car. It says worked eclipse
#9
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Sad to see the F-1's center seating go the way of the dinosaurs on this one. It needs to be ungodly fast.
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Definitely a lame name, and the car's styling does look quite generic.
My biggest questions are: how fast will it be, how well does it handle, and how light is it?
If it's not light enough, not fast enough, or doesn't handle well enough it certainly won't sell that much especially at that price tag.
The F1 arguably looked more exotic.
I'm going to bet it won't beat the F1 performance-wise.
EDIT: so apparently the rumor is that the car's curb weight is between 2900 - 3000 lbs. Considering the lack of luxury in the interior, not as super-light as it McLaren makes it sound.
If the curb weight is in-fact between 2900-3000 lbs, that's not very far off from the 458.
Although, 600HP and a 2900 lb curb weight would be an impressive power-to-weight ratio.
Too bad styling-wise it can't be changed.
My biggest questions are: how fast will it be, how well does it handle, and how light is it?
If it's not light enough, not fast enough, or doesn't handle well enough it certainly won't sell that much especially at that price tag.
The F1 arguably looked more exotic.
I'm going to bet it won't beat the F1 performance-wise.
EDIT: so apparently the rumor is that the car's curb weight is between 2900 - 3000 lbs. Considering the lack of luxury in the interior, not as super-light as it McLaren makes it sound.
If the curb weight is in-fact between 2900-3000 lbs, that's not very far off from the 458.
Although, 600HP and a 2900 lb curb weight would be an impressive power-to-weight ratio.
Too bad styling-wise it can't be changed.
Last edited by TRDFantasy; 09-08-09 at 10:09 PM.
#11
Speaks French in Russian
Thread Starter
lol..good catch. didnt even see that.
It really is a coupe that anyone could have designed. Next to a Lambo or Ferrari you wouldnt even see it. And in Europe they have Zonda's, Koenigsegg's, Ascari's, Spyker's, TVR's, etc. It gets eaten alive in the looks department.
It really is a coupe that anyone could have designed. Next to a Lambo or Ferrari you wouldnt even see it. And in Europe they have Zonda's, Koenigsegg's, Ascari's, Spyker's, TVR's, etc. It gets eaten alive in the looks department.
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Some McLaren supporters are saying this is not the F1 replacement; that the real F1 replacement is coming in 2-3 years, but somehow I highly doubt that.
In order for this car to be worthwhile, it will have to beat the 458 and SLS performance-wise and at least match the LF-A in performance.
I definitely don't see this beating the F1 performance-wise.
In order for this car to be worthwhile, it will have to beat the 458 and SLS performance-wise and at least match the LF-A in performance.
I definitely don't see this beating the F1 performance-wise.
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Some McLaren supporters are saying this is not the F1 replacement; that the real F1 replacement is coming in 2-3 years, but somehow I highly doubt that.
In order for this car to be worthwhile, it will have to beat the 458 and SLS performance-wise and at least match the LF-A in performance.
I definitely don't see this beating the F1 performance-wise.
In order for this car to be worthwhile, it will have to beat the 458 and SLS performance-wise and at least match the LF-A in performance.
I definitely don't see this beating the F1 performance-wise.
#15
Pole Position
Im with everyone else on this one, Generic styling is bad enough, but the loss of the that center seat for a convenion interior layout is prob the biggest dissapointment.
Hopefully (and probably) itll be fast as *****, and then well all go on about how much we love the car and how sexy it is, haha
Hopefully (and probably) itll be fast as *****, and then well all go on about how much we love the car and how sexy it is, haha