McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

The McLaren MP4-12C is a sports car designed and manufactured by McLaren Automotive. The car’s final design was unveiled on 8 September 2009, and it is set to be launched in 2011.

The successor to the famous 240 mph (390 km/h)-capable McLaren F1, the MP4-12C will feature a carbon fibre composite chassis, and will be powered by a mid-mounted McLaren M838T 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbo engine developing 600 bhp (447 kW) and 422 lb·ft (572 N·m) of torque.

The car will make use of Formula 1-sourced technologies such as “brake steer”, where the inside rear wheel is braked during fast cornering to reduce understeer.

Power will be transmitted to the wheels through a 7-speed Seamless Shift dual-clutch gearbox equipped with “Pre-Cog”, which allows the driver to pre-select the next gear by half-pulling the paddle shifter behind the steering wheel, which allows the transmission to execute faster gear changes.

The MP4-12C will be sold at a price of £150,000, aimed at competitors including the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo.