The first McLaren to be released since the manufacturer’s groundbreaking 1993 F1 model, the MP4-12C, is due to go on sale early in 2011.
The two-seater will have a price tag of roughly £160,000 (AUD$306,000) and utilise a McLaren built (M838T) 3.8-litre 90-degree V8 engine, developing “around 450kW and 600Nm”, as means of motivation.
The engine is twin-turbocharged unit with an 8500rpm red-line featuring a dry sump and flat plane crank that drives the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.McLaren claims 80 per cent of the MP4-12C’s torque will be available from below 2000rpm which should see low three second 0-100km/h times and a top speed in excess of 320km/h.
Considering the MP4-12C will utilise a carbon fibre MonoCell skeleton (weighing in at just 80kg), with aluminium and SMC plastic panels, this should see a kerb weight of roughly 1300 kilograms.
The car will feature conventional brakes with forged aluminium hubs which believe it or not are some 8kg lighter than ceramic units.
Braking is further assisted by an air brake that pops up at speed to improve stopping ability.
Entry to the cabin is via dihedral doors which are touchpad operated. The seating is said to be “thin” but spot on in terms of support.
An upright seven-inch multimedia screen sits in the centre console while the view out the front windscreen is clear of obstruction.
Driver aids include switchable ESC, launch control, selectable throttle response (normal, sport & high performance) as well as settings to adjust gearshift timing and suspension damping.
