McLaren’s MP4-12C has appeared on cue, just as the company had promised, on the 9th of September 2009. Interesting that one of its main rivals the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is also being presented today…Promises have been made by the car’s makers that it is “the most efficient, most driveable high-performance sports car in the world.”
Built on a carbon fibre monocell body structure, the 12C is just about performance as it is about saving weight and fuel. Frankly I’m still flabbergasted that it has a 3.8-litre twin turbo engine that, instead of making about 360kW like the Nissan GT-R or a Porsche 911 Turbo, it makes something totally un-3.8. Normally one expects V12s or highly strung-out V8s to make this kind of power.
So the 12C will produce around 447kW (608hp) and 600Nm of torque. I’d just buy this thing on the engine alone. It’s described as being “pure McLaren” which means not just straight-line speed but exceptional handling as well.
“Indeed,” says McLaren Automotive MD Anthony Sheriff, “the 12C offers performance and technology that exceeds that of the world’s most expensive and sophisticated supercars, while competing in a much more accessible market segment.”
Giving power to the rear wheels is a 7-speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox (SSG) which McLaren claims is not only bliksem quick but also lowers C02 emissions as well.
It has something they call PreCog.
“What Pre-Cog actually does is initiate the shift process by priming the clutch and torque handover – it takes significant time out of the process,” explained Dick Glover, Technical Director McLaren Automotive.
Cars competing with the 12C include the Porsche 911 Turbo, the new Ferrari 458, the Aston Martin DB9 and of course Godzilla himself, the Nissan GT-R.
In 2011 a competitor for the highest-segment in the supercar market consisting of the Bugatti Veyron, Ferrrari Enzo, Pagani Zonda and Koenigsegg CCX range will be introduced.
I expect that car to tip the 500kW mark. Just imagine, a 500kW McLaren car with all the bells and whistles as well as reputation associated with the brand.
Other related links
