World debut for McLaren MP4-12C supercar
19.03.2010 - Stuart Milne
(33)
This morning saw the debut of one of the most eagerly anticipated supercars of recent years - the McLaren MP4-12C.
The McLaren MP4-12C is the only carbon-based road car available at its price range - likely to be around £150,000 - and McLaren says every component has been built specifically for the car.
Under the rear engine cover sits McLaren's own 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, which is said to be good for 600bhp and 442lb/ft of torque. And although no 0-62mph time has been announced, it will reach 124mph in less than five seconds, before hitting a top speed of more than 200mph.
The gearbox features "seamless shift" technology and allows the driver to prime the next gear by pulling halfway on the shift paddle, followed by a full pull to engage the gear. McLaren says this means an almost instantaneous gear shift.
The McLaren MP4-12C is based around a carbon tub, the construction of which is so complex McLaren had to develop an all-new manufacturing process.
The result is a chassis which is said to be extremely light and strong - a prototype was crashed twice at around 30mph with no damage to the main compartment.
The order books open in three months' time, and the company expects to sell around 1,000 units a year. But with 1,600 firm interests registered, demand is likely to outstrip supply for some time.
The car will be built in a facility currently under construction next door to McLaren's Woking base as a result of a £700m investment in the project.
