The Ferrari F458 has come and gone off the headlines; and now the limelight is on two of this year's most hotly-anticipated supercars, the McLaren MP4-12C and Merc SLS AMG.
McLaren MP4-12C
We knew it as the P11, but it's now the McLaren MP4-12C. That's a mouthful, but there is reasoning behind the designation. MP4 has been the chassis designation for all McLaren F1 cars since engineer Ron Dennis' company, Project Four, joined up with McLaren to form the racing team in 1981. The 12 refers to the company's internal vehicle performance index and represents the focus on complete performance and efficiency. The C simply stands for carbon, as carbon fibre is integral throughout the manufacturing process of the MP4-12C. How do you top Gordon Murray's F1? Well, McLaren isn't calling this the F1 successor (that's yet to come), the 12C will rival Ferrari's new F458, Lamborghini's LP560-4 and the Porsche 911 Turbo.
And with a one-piece carbon fibre chassis weighing less than 80kg, the McLaren aims to beat the crowd, not just join them.
With a mid-mounted twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 developing 600bhp and 600Nm of torque through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, the 12C will cost between Dh750,000 and Dh1 million when it goes on sale in early 2011.
Handling should be fantastic, thanks to Proactive Chassis Control, F1-inspired aerodynamics and technologies such as Brake Steer, which helps dial out understeer on corner-entry. Weight has been shed everywhere; brakes with forged aluminium hubs save 8kg and weigh less than even the optional carbon ceramic items. Exhaust pipes are also lightweight and exit straight out, minimising their length, while the alloy wheels (19in front, 20in rear) also shed 4kg by having thinner walls. Even the engine coolers were mounted as close to the engine as possible, to minimise the pipework. Want more weight-saving proof? The 90-degree V8, which redlines at 8,500rpm, also features composite cam covers and intake manifolds.
Something tells us this will be a supercar to end all supercars
Mercedes-Benz SLS
It's not the 1954 New York Motor Show, but what worked then for Mercedes and the SL300 Gullwing, should surely work at the Frankfurt Motor Show when the tri-star unveils its SLS AMG and swings those doors upwards for drooling petrolheads.
First up, it's not as engineering-driven as the McLaren, but the result of AMG's first full in-house project is special nonetheless. The SLS AMG has an aluminium space frame body enveloping a front-mid-mounted 6.3-litre V8 with 571bhp and 650Nm of torque, plus dry-sump lubrication.
A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is mounted at the rear, while an aluminium chassis sporting double-wishbone suspension ensures supercar-like handling. Dry weight nudges 1,620kg, so expect it to be a behemoth next to the McLaren, but despite the weight burden, the SLS AMG accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 3.8 seconds and tops out at 317kph.
Inside, Mercedes has kept it simple with a flat horizontal dash top over another flat and simple vertical centre piece. Sports seats hug the driver and passenger who get an unobstructed view out, as well as jet-engine-inspired air vents, LED shift-up lights, and a 7in multi-media screen. Since it's a Merc, there's plenty of metal, and optional carbon fibre trim in the cabin.
The gullwing doors swing up by 70 degrees so getting in and out is a breeze and since they're gullwings and not scissor doors like on the McLaren, tight parking spots shouldn't be an issue.
The SLS AMG will hit showrooms in mid-2010, but you'll have to set aside about Dh950,000 if you want one. Small price really for the coolness it exudes.
