McLaren MP4-12C

[lightweight]

It's official:

McLaren MP4-12C (2011): the first official P11 story | Automotive & Motoring News | Car Magazine Online

Key Points
Chassis: Carbon MonoCell
Weight: around 1300 kg (official number not given)
Engine: Twin Turbocharged 3.8 V8 designed 100% by McLaren Automotive
Dry sump
Flat-plane crank
8500 rev limit
Horsepower: "around 600 bhp"
Torque: 443lb ft
Gearbox: Twin Clutch SSG (Seamless Shift Gearbox)

Photos aren't specifically High Resolution, yet. If someone has access to Hi-Res pics, feel free to contribute.

Seems like a Gallardo/458/911 Turbo opponent. Typically McLaren, uses carbon chassis and more sophisticated solutions than the competition.

Should not be compared to the F1 in any way.

If this is the mid-range McLaren, what are they going to do with the top of the range? These chaps always amaze us....

BTW... What's with the name? What does it mean anyway? Did they have a 12B???? Name is the only flaw of the car. But it's a nice mail password....

[cmcpokey]

looks pretty weak if you ask me. the F1 was so beautiful, and this is so blah.

and yeah, MP4-12C just rolls off the tongue.

[lightweight]

Originally Posted by cmcpokey

looks pretty weak if you ask me

I know what you mean. I would say that it is neutral, it doesn't make a statement like the Lambos do.

But I love the technical details:
- First time any car has ever featured a one-piece carbon fibre structure (they (all were multi-piece assembled)

- Lowest CO2 to horsepower of any vehicle currently in the market (including petrol diesel hybrids)

- Brakes with forged aluminium hubs save 8 kg and weigh less than optional carbon ceramic brakes

- The engine cooling radiators were mounted at the rear, as close to the engine as possible, to minimize the pipework, the fluids contained within them, and therefore weight. They were also mounted in car line to minimize vehicle width

[Ferrer]

Stupid flappy paddle gearbox...

[Niko_Fx]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

Stupid flappy paddle gearbox...

This.

Another car to add to my "If I had the money I wouldn't buy it" list....

[lightweight]

I now realise that McLaren are the carbon fibre pioneers:

First Carbon F1 chassis: MP4/1
First ever Carbon r0ad car chassis: McLaren F1
First ever single piece road car Carbon Chassis: MP4-12C (Also the first in its segment with carbon chassis)

[Roentgen]

Looks like some small company's one-off car. Definitely not "look" the price tag and name. Kinda disappointed really... expected this to be an incredible car, and well... the original McLaren looks way better.

[Ferrari330P4]

Looks like the cross of an R8 and a Tiburon

[NSXType-R]

I wonder how some enthusiasts of the original McLaren F1 will think of it. I mean, like others have said, the lack of a manual could be a big issue. But if Gordon Murray thinks it's not necessary, then there has to be a reason behind that.

[f6fhellcat13]

Now that Ron Dennis is gone can't they get rid of the awkward "MP4-..." nomenclature?

[lightweight]

Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13

Now that Ron Dennis is gone can't they get rid of the awkward "MP4-..." nomenclature?

Ron Dennis is the boss of McLaren Automotive, so it could take a while until this happens...

[lightweight]

Originally Posted by NSXType-R

I wonder how some enthusiasts of the original McLaren F1 will think of it. I mean, like others have said, the lack of a manual could be a big issue. But if Gordon Murray thinks it's not necessary, then there has to be a reason behind that.

This is NOT a car to beat the F1. It is placed against Gallardos, 458s and 911 Turbos.

[f6fhellcat13]

Originally Posted by lightweight

Ron Dennis is the boss of McLaren Automotive, so it could take a while until this happens...

So he only left the F1 operation? That's a pretty half-assed statement if you ask me.

As to the car; meh. I really don't see it living up to the F1 or even being hailed as the F1's little brother.
Also, in cars of this caliber I view turbocharging as a shortcut. I love turbocharging for cheap power, but when you get into the ionospheric-price range that the MP45y2-2345bf238fn will inhabit I strongly prefer natural aspiration. There are of course notable exceptions.

[Rockefella]

I don't know about you guys but I like it, a lot.

[lightweight]

Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13

That's a pretty half-assed statement if you ask me.

Please explain

Originally Posted by f6fhellcat13

Also, in cars of this caliber I view turbocharging as a shortcut.

It's true that up to now turbochargers were considered as cheap and cheerful. But taking into account emission considerations, it is a dependable solution. The 911 use it with much success

IIRC, this engine is the first seriously turbocharged engine to reach 8500 rpm since the Bugatti EB110.

I can only dream of the sound of a flat plane V8 accompanied with the sound of boost pressure (Please do not interprete this is as fanboy-ish)