McLaren MP4-12C: specifications, price and photos of the supercar

When mentioning a brand such as McLaren, many immediately recall memories of popular teams participating in the Formula 1 race on expensive supercars. Of the latter, we can mention the McLaren MP4-12C. This is one of the best sports racing cars ever made. The world premiere of this vehicle was held at the Frankfurt Motor Show (Germany) in 2010. Then he debuted in 2011 at the race "24 hours of Spa" (at the Belgian racetrack).

McLaren Automotive - manufacturer of the best sports cars

This is the legendary British manufacturer of supercars. The company McLaren Automotive is known for its iconic sports car - McLaren F1. Many believed that once this creation was created, this producer would not be able to repeat such success. But eighteen years later the company releases its new brainchild - McLaren MP4-12C. Externally, the cars are similar, but the approach to designing the MP4-12C was completely different. The management of the company has high hopes for a new supercar! Let's find out what it is superior to the first model.

The differences of MP4-12C from F1

The main difference between MP4-12C is the monolithic body, which is assembled without a single joint.

The salon of the new model, unlike F1, attracts attention with luxury. Also it is full of electronics, which allows to determine the malfunction of the car. The system automatically contacts the dealer in the vicinity and informs the owner of the transport. When you arrive at the site, the wizard will fix the problem as soon as possible. This service in the company is called a "pit stop". In the cabin there are two armchairs, and not three, as in F1.

The engines in the cars are different. In F1 - BMW S70 V12 (volume 6.1 liters), and in MP4-12C - own development (more details below). Also in it there is an automatically controlled spoiler, which acts as an air brake.

The MP4-12C is unrivaled in strength. He is characterized by lightness and durability.

McLaren MP4-12C: Specifications

So, "МР4" is the combined name of formula cars McLaren, and "C" means Carbon (carbon).

Technical characteristics of the car:

• The length is 4507 cm.
• The width is 1909 cm.
• The height is 1199 cm.
• Body type - coupe.
• At the heart of the body is a carbon monocoque "MonoCell", to which the chassis and motor are attached. The hinged parts are made of aluminum and carbon fiber.
• Drive - rear.
• The radius of the discs is R20.
• The volume of the engine is 3799 cc.
• Number of doors and seats - two.
• The volume of the fuel tank is 72 liters.
• The weight does not exceed 1400 kg.
• The volume of the engine is 3.8 liters.
• The twisting moment - 600 Nanometers.
• Transmission type - seven-speed robotic gearbox. Equipped with the "Pre-coq" system. Switching the speed to a higher one occurs instantly and smoothly. It has three positions: Normal, High Performance, Sport.
• Suspension - on double levers with springs of own production.
• Stabilizers are hydraulic.
• The maximum speed is 330 kilometers per hour.
• The brake system is powerful and allows you to stop the car moving at a speed of 100 km per hour in 3 seconds, the stopping distance is 30 meters.

Super Speed Car Engine

Earlier, McLaren Automotive developed a motor for sports cars in conjunction with BMW (F1), Honda (MP4 / 6) and Mercedes Benz (Mercedes SLR, MP4 / 20). And now the British manufacturer can boast of its own design - it's a V-shaped engine. It is equipped with a "VVT" system and has two turbochargers. Gives out six hundred horsepower. It develops up to 8500 revolutions per minute.

The MP4-12C is the first McLaren car that has this engine.

Cost

In the sale of the described sports car entered in 2011. Its cost was:

• In Great Britain - 199700 euros;
• In Germany - 200,000 euros;
• In France - 201,000 euros;
• In Italy - 201680 euros;
• In Russia - 212370 euros.

New modifications of the MP4-12C lineup

Until recently, the McLaren MP4-12C was released, and in 2012 its racing version GT3 was already demonstrated. For many years, the McLaren GT division was being developed. The car is completely redesigned. Sportcar received a new aerodynamic body kit, which included: a massive diffuser, front splitter, side air intakes and a wing. The only thing that has not been changed is the engine. Remained the same turbocharged (V8), its volume was the same 3.8 liters as in the previous model. Only the power of the engine was reduced by one hundred horsepower, and the speed - up to 7500 rpm. Such a decrease in these indicators is due to the fact that the developers sought to create a well-balanced racing sports car.

Instead of a seven-step "robot", a sequential gearbox of Ricardo was delivered. A new ABC unit and Akebono brake mechanisms have been installed.

The car of the new model range received a package of improvements in the climate system, transmission, electrical equipment. All improvements have been made in the light of customer complaints. So, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 headlamps are now connected to a rain sensor. Seats have the function "Easy entry", which facilitates the process of landing and exit from the car. The color scheme of the body was updated, new versions of wheel disks were released. Changes have been made to interior trim. In total GT3 will be made about twenty, the cost of each - within 500 000 dollars.

On its 50th anniversary in November 2012, the McLaren Automotive division introduced an open version of the MP4-12C, which received the Spider prefix to its main name. The car has a folding roof, retractable into a special compartment behind the rear seats. Weight increased due to this up to 1474 kg. The engine is the same, but its power is 625 horsepower.

The maximum speed is 329 kilometers per hour with the roof raised, and when lowered, it is 4 kilometers per hour lower. The volume of the gas tank is 72 liters. From the spot the car accelerates to 100 km per hour in three seconds. The maximum number of seats - two in the McLaren MP4-12C Spider. The price of a car is 215500 dollars.

The McLaren Museum

In this "smithy" are collected unique copies of supercars, race cars racing series "Formula 1" and other cars, from the sixties to our days. The collection is replenished every year with new models. Consider several instances. Let's start with McLaren MP4 / 6. This is the first racing McLaren, which was equipped with a Honda RA121E (V12) engine. It was designed by Neil Outley. The company McLaren has developed it for participation in the world championship on auto racing in a class "Formula-1" (for a season of 1991 in Brazil).

Technical specifications are shown below.

• The weight of the car is 505 kilograms.
• Tires - Goodyear.
• Suspension: front and back (active, with levers of different lengths).
• Engine - Honda V12. The volume is 3.5 liters.
• Transmission: six speeds plus one rear gear.
• There is a manual H-shaped box.

The car won the "Constructors' Cup" in 1991.

The museum also exhibits the legendary sports car McLaren F1. It was designed in 1993. At that time it was the fastest supercar, this status he held until 2005.

The museum has a Formula 1 car - the McLaren MP4 / 20. The developer is Team McLaren Mercedes. It was designed by Adrian Newey and Mike Coughlan. A car was created to participate in the championship in motor racing, which took place in 2005 (Australia). He had high hopes. Was recognized as a racing car of the same year by the version of the magazine "Autosport".

Specifications:

• The engine is Mercedes-Benz.
• The volume is 3.0 liters.
• Power - 930 horsepower.
• Tires - Michelin.
• The box is semi-automatic. Seven speeds plus a rear gear.
• The undercarriage is completely redesigned after the failure of the two previous models (MP4-18 and 19). The wheelbase is shortened.
• Distinctive features - the presence of wings like "horn", which are installed on the body behind the air intake.

At the moment, these models are not produced, they can be seen only in the museum.

Accessory from the supercar manufacturer

Concern McLaren Automotive for the anniversary has developed an interesting accessory - chronograph Tag Heuer Carrera MP4-12C. It is worth mentioning that the project was conducted jointly with such a great Swiss manufactory as Tag Heuer. McLaren MP4-12C inspired the watchmakers to create this amazing creation. In the stylistics of the watch you can find a display of the design and color of the car. The basis of the dial was carbon. Initially, this material was used by the concern's master to make a sports car frame.

The dial has large hourly indexes. The feature of the chronograph - instead of the traditional number "12" is set to zero. The aperture is in the center. There are three hands with an anti-reflective coating of orange hue. The watch is covered with sapphire crystal. Their heart is the mechanism of "Dubois-depraz 4900". An accessory with a leather strap, decorated with an orange stitch, is produced. The price of the model is 10,500 dollars.

So, the great F1 was a legend, and the McLaren MP4-12C turned out, as it was, a super car with excellent speed characteristics, great design. At the moment, the British company plans to further develop the MP4-12C lineup.