McLaren Automotive has officially launched itself as a full-fledged car manufacturer, and what a car to start with — the MP4-12C.
But before we get into that, did you know that McLaren entered Formula 1 in 1966, and won 25 per cent of all the races since then? And did you know that McLaren created the first carbon fibre chassis F1 car way back in 1981? And how can we forget the now-departed Mercedes-McLaren SLR? That was the highest-selling carbon fibre chassis road car ever. Don't kick yourself if you had no idea, because you'vegot us for that.
The stunning MP4-12C is the next chapter in McLaren's impressive story. McLaren Automotive chairman Ron Dennis said the 12C and any future McLaren product will be manufactured and exported from the UK.
"I believe that McLaren Automotive is a good example of how the UK can develop a new, innovative and globally influential manufacturing base," he said.
Anthony Sheriff, managing director of McLaren Automotive wanted the car to be better than anything else out there. "The 12C is what we call the ‘and' car. Compared to its competition, it will have better performance ‘and' be more fuel efficient; it will be lighter ‘and' stronger, safer ‘and' fully equipped; it will be smaller in its exterior dimensions ‘and' spacious inside; it will be better handling ‘and' be more comfortable," he said.
According to Sheriff the most important elements in the car's design were obtaining maximum performance through efficiency. At the heart of this is the carbon fibre mono-cell tub. The central structure is a single piece and it is designed to be strong and light.
Unlike the F1 and SLR that had engines made by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the 12C has a new power plant bespoke to the McLaren. The twin-turbocharged and direct-injected M838T is a 3.8-litre V8 that produces 592bhp and 600Nm of torque. The compact drivetrain helps the aerodynamic efficiency of the 12C just like the side-mounted radiators do. All this amounts to a reduction in drag. The power is meanwhile transferred to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox.
With plans to include two more models, slotting above and below the 12C, McLaren hopes to hand build 4,000 cars a year while over 500 dealers have applied to sell them. The first 12Cs will go on sale in Europe in early 2011, followed by the Middle East and the US.
