New McLaren MP4-12C road car breaks cover ...
Almost exactly twenty years after Ron Dennis and Gordon Murray revealed the first information on McLaren's first production road car, the British Formula 1 manufacturer have now released all the details on the upcoming MP4-12C. Like the previous F1 and M6GT, the new McLaren incorporates racing car technology in a road-going shell. But unlike its predecessors, the MP4-12C is built fully in-house with bespoke bits only.
The 'heart' of the car is formed by a carbon-fibre tub that is moulded in one piece; the first time this has ever been done on a road car. The ultra-stiff chassis is backed up by a purpose-built twin-turbo V8 engine. It uses a flat-plane crank for high revs and a dry-sump oil system to mount it as low as possible in the chassis. Displacing 3.8 litres, the McLaren 'M838T' is good for around 600 bhp and 600 Nm and still yields very good CO2 figures. The power is transferred to the rear wheels through a dual-clutch, seven-speed gearbox. Throughout the design process, the engineers have focused on shedding weight and as a result the car reportedly weighs in at around 1300 kg. Penned by Frank Stephenson, the MP4-12C was designed to produce tremendous amounts of downforce.
The new McLaren is not a replacement of the highly acclaimed F1 but instead it is targeted directly at the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche 911 (Turbo). And not just on the road; McLaren Automotive principal Ron Dennis has already hinted at various racing programs for his new 'baby'. McLaren expects the MP4-12C to hit the global markets in 2011. If the original F1 is anything to go by, the new McLaren will surely set new benchmarks.
Enjoy the links:
2011 McLaren MP4-12C - Images, Specifications and Information
1993 - 1998 McLaren F1 - Images, Specifications and Information
1969 McLaren M6GT Chevrolet - Images, Specifications and Information
If you should see a man walking down a crowded street talking aloud to himself, don't run in the opposite direction, but run towards him, because he's a poet. You have nothing to fear from the poet - but the truth.
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