Thursday 8th March 2012

Geneva 2012: McLaren and the modifiers

MP4-12C falls into the clutches of the tuning brigade

---

Of all the European motor shows, Geneva is the one most heavily attended by the tuning fraternity, whose stands feature some weird - and occasionally even wonderful - creations. And each year one particular model seems to get singled out for attention.

Last year seemed to be the turn of the Porsche Panamera, or possibly the Mercedes SLS, but in 2012 it's all about the McLaren MP4-12C, with at least four versions on show created by various tuning companies and displaying various degrees of wrongness...

Mansory

Mansory is not usually given to tasteful discretion with its creations, but the initial renderings we showed you a little while back didn't seem to be as horrific as some of itsprevious creations.

Under the bright lights of the show, however, theMansory-ised MP4-12C with its wide-boy bodykit and gaudy paintwork just looked wrong, at odds with McLaren's ethos of subtle, understated engineering excellence.

If you want a car like this, then it's probably better not to go for a McLaren in the first place - Mansory's take on the Lamborghini Aventador proving an excellent example of a car that can take a bit of chintz on the chin, as it were...

Gemballa

If Mansory's MP4-12C was pretty extreme, then Gemballa's was subtle to the point of (dare we say it?) being nice. The idea, apparently, was to "imbue" the Gemballa GT with "the missing emotion" of the MP4-12C. Right...

The result is quite sensitive, though, with new bumpers, spoilers, skirts, a small wing and new, slightly larger wheels not proving too overwhelming.

Hamann

Less subtle was Hamann's take on the McLaren Coupe, with its chunky bumpers, side skirts, big rear wing and roof-mounted air scoop. Hmmm....

FAB Design

These Swiss tuners are not usually paragons of good taste, but their McLaren MP4-12C Terso is quite restrained (for FAB Design), giving the Macca and Aventador-esque look. Things to note? That rear wing is a bolt-on job, there's a tiny 'spoiler' at the leading edge of the windscreen, and only five Tersos will be made.

[RichTBiscuit]

*shudder*

[Sicob]

Mansory version front end looks like an Evora GTE on a really bad day (not fair on the Evora). All look rather halfords though.

[ewenm]

Have any of these "tuners" actually tuned the car or is it all cosmetic?

[Grey Ghost]

I'll take the factory original any time over these "tuning" companies.

WTF are they hoping to achieve that McLaren with all of its history, research capabilities and development programs hasn't ????????

[TaylotS2K]

Prefer the FAB design or Mansory (except wheel colour) one over the original. Original looks a little dissapointing for such a great driving machine imo.

[Garlick]

Dear father, forgive me for I have sinned. I rather like the Mansory MP4-12C



3,000 Hail Mary's coming up.

[Megaflow]

That is all.

[LordFlathead]

"I fear the Gulzar is strong in this one"

[kayzee]

Garlick said:

Dear father, forgive me for I have sinned. I rather like the Mansory MP4-12C



3,000 Hail Mary's coming up.

This one, with black wheels, would be absolutely gorgeous.

[Riggers]

ewenm said:

Have any of these "tuners" actually tuned the car or is it all cosmetic?

Definitely a sports exhaust and engine management for the Mansory, not sure about the others, TBH...

[DanDC5]

I think the Mansory one looks good to be honest, just needs to be a better colour.

[playalistic]

Grey Ghost said:

I'll take the factory original any time over these "tuning" companies.

WTF are they hoping to achieve that McLaren with all of its history, research capabilities and development programs hasn't ????????

My guess is huge profits from people with more money than sense/taste?

[Moogle]

Actually I think the Masonry is actually very nicely done..............

















........except for the colour.

Other than that, it's nicely done, very nice wheels.

[Skater12]

I actually quite like the Blue Gemballa car.
And no, before you ask, I'm not from Essex!

[Gorbyrev]

Pointless, pointless, pointless. If you want your MP4-12C with a bit more balls what about road registering one of the GT cars. At least that follows a fine McLaren tradition.

[chuntington101]

McLaren are the best at modding their cars. and here is the best modded MP4-12C....

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/03/mclaren...

Chris.

[365daytonafan]

chuntington101 said:

McLaren are the best at modding their cars. and here is the best modded MP4-12C....

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/03/mclaren...

Chris.

Or the road version of that the HS http://www.drivecult.com/news/mclaren-unveils-mp4-...

[alexpa]

Yuk to all.

Why doesn't someone do a sports car based on the Nissan GTR drivetrain, something along the lines of the Tommy Kiara's? Now that would be fun.

[filski666]

ewenm said:

Have any of these "tuners" actually tuned the car or is it all cosmetic?

Yep, they have made them slower and probably less stable by adding stupid "aero" packages which I doubt very much have been developed as much as the standard aero package McLaren developed....

[mat205125]

Grey Ghost said:

I'll take the factory original any time over these "tuning" companies.

I'll wait for the factory road version of the GT3 race car.