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McLaren MP4-12C
It's official:
[url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/McLaren-MP4-12C-2011-the-first-official-story-09-09/]McLaren MP4-12C (2011): the first official P11 story | Automotive & Motoring News | Car Magazine Online[/url]
[B][U]Key Points[/U][/B]
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....:p
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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.
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[quote=cmcpokey;905563]looks pretty weak if you ask me[/quote]
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
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Stupid flappy paddle gearbox...
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[quote=Ferrer;905567]Stupid flappy paddle gearbox...[/quote]
This.
Another car to add to my "If I had the money I wouldn't buy it" list....
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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)
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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.
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Looks like the cross of an R8 and a Tiburon
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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.
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Now that Ron Dennis is gone can't they get rid of the awkward "MP4-..." nomenclature?
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[quote=f6fhellcat13;905575]Now that Ron Dennis is gone can't they get rid of the awkward "MP4-..." nomenclature?[/quote]
Ron Dennis is the boss of McLaren Automotive, so it could take a while until this happens...
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[quote=NSXType-R;905574]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.[/quote]
This is NOT a car to beat the F1. It is placed against Gallardos, 458s and 911 Turbos.
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[quote=lightweight;905576]Ron Dennis is the boss of McLaren Automotive, so it could take a while until this happens...[/quote]
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.
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I don't know about you guys but I like it, a lot.
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[quote=f6fhellcat13;905578]That's a pretty half-assed statement if you ask me.[/quote]
Please explain
[quote=f6fhellcat13;905578]Also, in cars of this caliber I view turbocharging as a shortcut.[/quote]
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)
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[quote=Rockefella;905579]I don't know about you guys but I like it, a lot.[/quote]
Don't get me wrong, I like it a lot as well, it has great looks and it probably drives like a dream... the lack of a manual transmission is what bothers me though, they don't even make it an option anymore, is ridiculous.
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It looks like generic super car with a somewhat large helping of kit. Those side intakes look stupid, as does the rear end.
To make use of an analogy. If the McLaren F1 was sex, this is a bit like masturbation.
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[quote=Niko_Fx;905581]Don't get me wrong, I like it a lot as well, it has great looks and it probably drives like a dream... the lack of a manual transmission is what bothers me though, they don't even make it an option anymore, is ridiculous.[/quote]
True, but I'm sure they'll have a manual option in the near future unless I'm mistaken. Kind of like the M5 when they released it w/out a manual in the states and added one shortly after.
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[quote=lightweight;905580]Please explain[/quote]
He resigned from his (F1) post to somehow take the heat off Hamilton after the "miscommunication" in Australia. I was under the impression that he had left McLaren to do his own thing. My slightly sardonic tone in the post is because, while I respect him as a team boss, I don't like Mr. Dennis.
[quote]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)[/quote]
I can perfectly understand your sentiment (and the Bug is one of my exceptions). The 911 is a range-topping model that uses an uprated engine that the models below it use, I view it as continuity within the range. I also view the 911 as a high-end sportscar that doesn't quite compete with low-end exotics such as the 430/458 or the Gallardo.
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[quote=f6fhellcat13;905586]I also view the 911 as a high-end sportscar that doesn't quite compete with low-end exotics such as the 430/458 or the Gallardo.[/quote]
...What? The 911 Turbo is a F430 and Gallardo rival, with the GT2 taking the newer Gallardo LP560-4 and 458
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The Mac F1 cost about a million dollars (just under what a Veyron costs) almost 15 years ago and each was hand made. They also used a lot of BMW sourced electrical and switchgear. Now Mac is talking about building a large series production car that shares no components with any other car, for less than $300K. I'm sure the car will be fast and fun to drive, and fir the first year or two it will sell well, but just wait until they have to deal with QC issues and warranty claims. I don't predict long term success.
[quote=Ferrer;905567]Stupid flappy paddle gearbox...[/quote]
I knew you were going to say that.
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[quote=092326001;905587]...What? The 911 Turbo is a F430 and Gallardo rival, with the GT2 taking the newer Gallardo LP560-4 and 458[/quote]
I'm not talking speed, I'm talking image and price. That's like saying the ZR1 is direct competition for the Ferrari or Lambo. Different crowds will buy them.
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[quote=f6fhellcat13;905589]I'm not talking speed, I'm talking image and price.[/quote]
I think their image and price is quite similar, all Euro-rockets
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I like it too. I think that there is enough of the familar McLaren F1 lines in it (mostly at the back) to see the McLaren resemblance and enough deviation that it is it's own car.
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Wouldn't you all prefer nothing new be created though? Have them leave with a high note with the F1; what if this new one is a flop.
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I wonder if they will attempt to make a new F1 with new technological innovations. They set the bar really really high but what a story it'd be if they managed to set the bar higher yet again.
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[quote=NicFromLA;905588]The Mac F1 cost about a million dollars (just under what a Veyron costs) almost 15 years ago and each was hand made. They also used a lot of BMW sourced electrical and switchgear. Now Mac is talking about building a large series production car that shares no components with any other car, for less than $300K. I'm sure the car will be fast and fun to drive, and fir the first year or two it will sell well, but just wait until they have to deal with QC issues and warranty claims. I don't predict long term success.[/quote]
Don't underestimate McLaren. It is a very big company, not just another small company trying to make a sports car. I have never heard of any problems with the current SLR. McLaren also makes all the ECUs for the current F1 cars so I am sure they can handle the electronics of a road car.
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It may be a fine car, but the looks don't inspire the imagination like the F1 did back in the day. That said, it doesn't seem like they were really trying to top it here. I think they achieved the goal of making a good sports car that they can produce in a decent quantity.
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It looks a bit meh compared to the F1, but performance/tech-wise it's friggin' awesome.
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Something that light, with that much power should hammer pretty well. They might only be aiming at Gallardo's and 458's but i think its got them trumped on specs, and downforce/gearing permitted this could be chasing higher end models.
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[quote=lightweight;905560]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....:p[/quote]
For reasons I've no idea about, they named it after one of the (1997?) F1 cars.. which wasn't all that successful, really.
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These are quick and dirty photoshops of more preferrable colors (IMO).
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/temp/6.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/temp/7.jpg[/IMG]
Also, AutoCar has a video:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKuAP9jhrsI"]YouTube - McLaren MP4-12C exclusive video blog by autocar.co.uk[/ame]
>8^)
ER
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Is it just me or does it look current and fresh for 2003?
Sorry, but this is really not a particularly inspiring car. Hopefully it goes like Stink and cures cancer.
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[quote=IBrake4Rainbows;905606]Is it just me or does it look current and fresh for 2003?
Sorry, but this is really not a particularly inspiring car. Hopefully it goes like Stink and cures cancer.[/quote]
Its what I thought. Still better than some of the shit ugly stuff thats come out lately!
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Looks almost identical to the Locus Plethore. Generic design, I call it.
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[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/12709551@N07/sets/72157622191102027/]Mclaren MP4-12C - a set on Flickr[/url]
hmm ... is it just me or does that wheel/dash look like it might be Logitech G29 sim steering wheel setup ?
WHy the "thing" about flappy paddles ?
Modern ones have nothing to do with the first versiosn which were on "auto" boxes.
THis is sitting on an SSG. So it has to be electronic ... or do you really want two clutch pedals and 2 gearsticks :) ?
If I've got complete control of the 'box and it shifts quicker than I could (!) then I'd want one so the car can be driven "closer" to the edge :) ( and keep a 70s Alpine to play full manual when I want :) )
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Another video - this time a sneak preview by Jay Leno:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjsFhxqPCd0"]YouTube - Jay Leno Leno Gets Up-Close Look at New McLaren Supercar[/ame]
>8^)
ER
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Yes, Leno is always the opportunist for expanding his wonderful collection with the 'first' of something. ;)
BBC offers a preview video as well here:
[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8238430.stm]BBC NEWS | Business | McLaren road car marks expansion[/url]
>8^)
ER
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[quote=IBrake4Rainbows;905606]Is it just me or does it look current and fresh for 2003?
Sorry, but this is really not a particularly inspiring car. Hopefully it goes like Stink and cures cancer.[/quote]
Indeed.
Is this a joke? Is this really the final design?
Zero imagination...looks cheaper than a Hyundai.
Bleh.