Thursday 18th March 2010

See The McLaren 12C Launch 'Live' On PH

Watch a recording of McLaren's new supercar being unveiled this morning

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See the McLaren C12...

It's a huge week for British sports car fans as today marks the official launch of the new McLaren Automotive car company - and it all happenened live here on PistonHeads.com

To mark the occasion a media event was held at McLaren's Woking headquarters, at which the eagerly anticipated final production version of the MP4-12C supercar was the obvious highlight.

McLaren Automotive Chairman Ron Dennis and managing director Antony Sherrif presented 'the vision, competencies and innovative plans to build and launch a brand new car company' in a major presentation followed by a Q&A.

...and possibly a pair of world champs

British world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton made an appearance as well.

The live video player is embedded in the first post after this article - now streaming a recorded version of the event.

[RacingPete]

The live feed of the reveal will be in this first post at 10.30 GMT on Thursday, check back then!

[E21_Ross]

brilliant! will be interesting to see if they can really take the fight to the 458 italia!

[griffdude]

Has anyone told Mclaren that their new car looks similar to the new Ginetta?

[E21_Ross]

griffdude said:

Has anyone told Mclaren that their new car looks similar to the new Ginetta?

i'm just waiting for the "it looks like every single other car on the road" or "boring/yawn" brigade to come along

[soad]

Less than 2 days away now. Will be very interesting to say the least.

[Marc W]

griffdude said:

Has anyone told Mclaren that their new car looks similar to the new Ginetta?

All the recent Ginettas are front engined and don't look anything like this. Are you sure you mean Ginetta?

[RacingPete]

Marc W said:

griffdude said:

Has anyone told Mclaren that their new car looks similar to the new Ginetta?

All the recent Ginettas are front engined and don't look anything like this. Are you sure you mean Ginetta?

He does... and he means this one http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

[Jellymonster]

hmm, this car does nothing for me aesthetically... especially the front end...

[jazzyjeff]

RacingPete said:

Marc W said:

griffdude said:

Has anyone told Mclaren that their new car looks similar to the new Ginetta?

All the recent Ginettas are front engined and don't look anything like this. Are you sure you mean Ginetta?

He does... and he means this one http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

Ah yes, he means the old Farbio...(which it looks nothing like at all )

JJ

[Jonny671]

Thats the one I saw drive past here.. Very loud!

[David87]

Cannot wait for the road test between this and the 458 Italia!

[Mr Darcy]

I soooo want one of those.

[Syndrome]

I just hope no one ever crashes one. It's made out of some seriously gash grade carbon fiber material. If you compare it to aerospace grade stuff it's laughable. Still, a fool and their money are easily parted as they say

[BoRED S2upid]

David87 said:

Cannot wait for the road test between this and the 458 Italia!

Same here. The Mclaren would have to kill it to gain any credibility as its not winning in the looks department. Ofcourse looks can be overcome by speed and handling.

[Beirut Taxi]

Syndrome said:

I just hope no one ever crashes one. It's made out of some seriously gash grade carbon fiber material. If you compare it to aerospace grade stuff it's laughable. Still, a fool and their money are easily parted as they say

What do you base this statement on?

Composite materials are designed for their application, so to state that a composite material (in this case carbon-fibre) designed for one application is somehow inferior to a composite designed for an entirely different application is misleading. Why is it inferior?

I love this car. To me it shows why British engineering is the best in the world. Rather than just making parts "better", the British throw curve balls at their competitors by being inventive and positively different.

Edited by Beirut Taxi on Tuesday 16th March 13:22

Edited by Beirut Taxi on Tuesday 16th March 13:30

Edited by Beirut Taxi on Tuesday 16th March 13:36

[RTH]

In 2009 the entire world sales of new Ferraris was 6250 that includes all of their models in all territories.

http://www.track-days.co.uk/ferrari/default.asp?st...

At the previous press release McLaren said they had geared up to sell 4000 cars per year

[anniesdad]

Looking forward to seeing the production car "unveiled" very much.

[Munter]

Beirut Taxi said:

Syndrome said:

I just hope no one ever crashes one. It's made out of some seriously gash grade carbon fiber material. If you compare it to aerospace grade stuff it's laughable. Still, a fool and their money are easily parted as they say

What do you base this statement on?

Composite materials are designed for their application, so to state that a composite material (in this case carbon-fibre) designed for one application is somehow inferior to a composite designed for an entirely different application is misleading. Why is it inferior?

Give Syndrome his due. Crashing and being parted from money are 2 subjects he has intimate knowledge of....

[Shmee150]

RTH said:

In 2009 the entire world sales of new Ferraris was 6250 that includes all of their models in all territories.

http://www.track-days.co.uk/ferrari/default.asp?st...

At the previous press release McLaren said they had geared up to sell 4000 cars per year

Doesn't sound very likely does it...

[robm3]

I'm liking these more and more and great manufacturer behind it but just wish it looked a little more distinctive.
Still perhaps they'll do a LM version??