McLaren MP4-12C: Official Stats And Tech Specs
Latest test data reveals epic performance from new Macca
The car is powered by a brand new 3.8, turbocharged V8 of very compact dimensions, and in case you missed the official broadcast, the key details are set out in this official press release we reproduce below - along with some of the latest official photographs provided today.
Official McLaren Automotive Press Release:
Indicative performance data from the most recent test sessions are confirming the development team’s confidence in producing a car of exceptional out-and-out performance as well as quality, safety, comfort, and efficiency levels. The 12C is set to present new standards in the sports car market:
| 0 – 200 km/h | under 10 sec |
| 200 – 0 km/h | under 5 sec |
| 100 – 0 km/h | under 3 sec / 30m; less than seven car lengths |
| V-max | over 200 mph |
| ¼ mile | around 11 sec |
| CO2 | under 300g/km |
| Lightest dry weight | around 1300kgs |
Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive’s Programme Director said: “We are very encouraged with this first release of performance data from the latest XP-Beta development cars. We are focusing on ‘real-world’ performance that has relevance for 12C drivers on track or on road. As you would expect of McLaren, we are aiming to set new standards for all performance criteria, from top speed to fuel economy, in-gear acceleration to braking distances and carbon dioxide emissions.
Continued development and testing programmes in New Zealand, Arizona, Spain, and at venues including the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring will deliver further performance figures in the summer before the first customer car is built at the McLaren Technology Centre in late-2010.
The innovative one-piece moulded carbon-fibre chassis (the MonoCell) is the key to the 12C’s performance, forming the structural heart of the car, and an ideal occupant cell that delivers exceptional crash test results and a unique driving environment.
- McLaren was the first racing team with a carbon chassis (the 1981 MP4/1)
- The McLaren F1 was the first road car with a carbon chassis
- The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is the most successful carbon-based car for sales ever (2,114 between 2003 and 2009)
- In the past 30 years, McLaren has not built a car with a metal chassis
Reducing weight is an obsession at McLaren, borne of the principles that have driven McLaren’s racing teams to more motorsport success than any other: recent developments have lowered the MonoCell’s weight further to below 80 kilos, whilst continued lightweight engineering supports McLaren Automotive’s plans to launch the 12C at a lighter dry weight than any competitor at around 1300 kilos.
McLaren Automotive is aiming for the 12C to be at least 75 kilos lighter than its nearest competitor and a long list of further lightweight solutions highlights the 12C’s introduction as a new type of sports car, driven by McLaren Automotive’s obsessive attention-to-detail. Examples include:
- Standard composite brake system of forged aluminium and cast iron is lighter than the optional carbon-ceramic brake system, saving five kilos
- Low-weight Lithium-Ion battery saves 10kgs
- Lightweight magnesium structural beam supports the dashboard
- Small, twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivers 600PS from 3.8-litre capacity
- Rear mounted engine cooling radiators minimise the pipework, the fluids contained within them, and therefore weight. They were also mounted in car line to minimise vehicle width and weight.
- Hexagonal aluminium wiring saves four kilos over circular wiring.
- Brake Steer aids balance and grip through fast corners either acting as a safety control or an aid to performance on the track
- The Airbrake increases downforce and therefore grip at speed and moves the centre of pressure rearwards under heavy braking
- Proactive Chassis Control negates the requirement for mechanical anti-roll bars and distributes damper control hydraulically between wheels and axles resulting in minimal roll at high speed combined with compliant suspension articulation in a straight line and over uneven road surfaces
Neil Patterson, Chief Engineer for the McLaren MP4-12C said: “Our goal for the 12C, and future McLaren cars, is to offer what we call ‘accessible performance’, no matter what the driver’s ability.
“With that in mind, with the technologies we have introduced, and with a small and lightweight, low- and mid-mounted engine, we have been able to deliver what we feel is a perfectly balanced chassis. The 12C will be a joy to drive in town, on an Autobahn, or on a track. There is no compromise and huge flexibility,” Patterson concluded.
Notes:
The 12C will be built initially at the award-winning Fosters+Partners-designed McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England. In spring 2011, the innovative combination of hand-built and ‘lean’ production processes will transfer to the new £40 million McLaren Production Centre next door to the MTC.
The McLaren Automotive retail network will be confirmed through the second half of 2010, along with pricing of the 12C and final performance figures for the car.
Do the technicians really wear Hugo Boss work clothes?
How things have changed. And to think that all-british car manufacture used to be about a bloke called Bob working in the Midlands making Maestro's and striking every other Wednesday.
but read the spec sheet you really get to see how much work had gone into this project in every area.
great news and hopefully a truly remarkable performance car.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff