09 Sep 09 11:30
This is the snappily titled McLaren MP4-12C - the first of a trio of cars that will put the British sports car maker back on the supercar map.
The new car, which previously came under the codename P11, is due to go on sale in the UK in 2011 at a cost of between £125,000 and £175,000. It's a two-seater, mid-engined supercar targeting other exotica such as the Aston Martin DB9, the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Lamborghini Gallardo.
The rather convoluted name has a method in its madness. The MP4 refers to McLaren's F1 history - all post-1981 McLaren racers are designated 'MP4'. The 12 highlights a co-efficient from McLaren's own performance scale and the C points to its radical new carbonfibre chassis.
Final performance figures for the car have not been released but it's expected to have a top speed of more than 200mph and will accelerate from 0-60mph in less than 4 seconds.
It's got a 3.8-litre V8 petrol under the bonnet that develops 600bhp at 8,500rpm with 440lb-ft of torque. Around 80% of that pull is delivered at less than 2,000rpm.
McLaren claims the engine has the highest horsepower-to-CO2 ratio of any internal combustion engine on the market, but could not confirm emissions rates or fuel consumption figures.
The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox with a twin paddleshift operation. McLaren has dubbed this version SSG - Seamless Shift Gearbox.
There's plenty of new technology under the skin of the MP4-12C. It uses McLaren's new 'Monocell'chassis - a hollow, one-piece carbonfibre tub that has taken five years to develop.
The Monocell weighs just 80kgs and it bolts directly to an engine/suspension cradle made of aluminium extrusions. Crushable alloy structures are at either end, beneath the body panels.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis said: 'It is a long-held dream of mine to launch a range of high performance sports cars that set new standards in the industry. 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.'
Martin Whitmarsh, Team Principal of McLaren's F1 racing team, said: 'The 12C, and future variants, draws on the spirit of Formula 1 and delivers real-world technological advances.'
The new McLaren features its new Proactive Chassis Control system that features adjustable roll control which replaces traditional mechanical anti-roll bars. Three suspension modes are available: 'normal', 'sport' and a high performance mode.
It will also include Brake Steer, a system that brakes the inside rear wheel when the car is entering a corner too quickly and helps to bring its nose back on line.
It uses cast iron brake discs but carbon ceramic brakes will be available as an option. ABS, ESP, traction control, Electronic Brake Distribution and Hill Hold are standard items.
It also includes Airbrake - another innovation that made its debut on the F1 supercar and was also incorporated into the SLR. A rear fin deploys hydraulically under braking, or when the driver wants increased downforce.
Inside there's a full quota of airbags, fully automatic dual zone climate control, sophisticated telematics and audio systems, parking sensors, trip computer, cruise control and electric memory seats.
Around 25% of sales will be made in the UK, 25% in the USA and the remainder to the rest of the world, notably Germany and mainland Europe, the Middle East and some Far Eastern countries.
The MP4-12C is the first of new trio of McLaren supercars: the two other cars are expected to be launched by 2015: the first is expected to be a Porsche 911-rival priced at around £60k, while the second will be in true supercar territory costing in excess of £300k.
