McLaren MP4-12C
Not to be confused with the McLaren MP4/12.
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| Manufacturer | McLaren Automotive |
|---|---|
| Production | 2011- |
| Assembly | Woking, Surrey, England, United Kingdom |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-seat coupé |
| Layout | RMR layout |
| Engine | McLaren M838T twin-turbo 3.8 L V8 |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm (105.1 in)[1] |
| Length | 4,507 mm (177.4 in)[1] |
| Width | 1,909 mm (75.2 in)[1] |
| Height | 1,199 mm (47.2 in)[1] |
| Kerb weight | 1,399 kg (3,084 lb)[2] |
| Designer | Frank Stephenson |
DesignSpecifications
In 2008, McLaren hired Frank Stephenson as design director for their reborn production car project.[4]As with the McLaren F1, carbon fibre is used extensively in the vehicle to minimise weight. The MP4-12C weighs 1,301 kg (2,868 lb) dry.[5]
The chassis is based around a F1 style one-piece carbon fibre tub, called the Carbon MonoCell, weighing only 80 kg (176 lb). The MonoCell is made in a single pressing by using a set of patented processes, using Bi-Axial and Tri-Axial carbon fibre multiaxial fabrics produced by Formax UK Ltd. with the MonoCell manufactured by Carbo Tech in Salzburg, Austria.[6][7] This has reduced the time required to produce a MonoCell from 3,000 hours for the F1 and 500 hours for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, to 4 hours for the MP4-12C.[6]
The car has a conventional two side-by-side seating arrangement, unlike its predecessor the McLaren F1 which featured an irregular three seat formation (front center, two behind either side). To make up for this however, the car's central console is narrower than in other cars, seating the driver closer to the center. Interior trim and materials can be specified in asymmetric configuration - known as "Driver Zone".
Engine
Main article: McLaren M838T engine
The car is powered by the M838T 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, designed and developed by McLaren in partnership with Ricardo.[8] The design of the engine was based on the Nissan VRH35 racing engine used in Le Mans in 1998. However, other than the 93 mm bore, little of that engine remains in the M838T.[9]
It produces 592 bhp (441 kW; 600 PS) and 443 lb·ft (601 N·m) of torque.
It has a redline of 8,500 rpm, with 80% of torque available at just
2,000 rpm.[5][10] When first announced, McLaren claimed that it would have a higher horsepower to carbon dioxide emission ratio than any internal-combustion engine available at the time.[11]Transmission
Performance
McLaren have stated the MP4-12C can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.3 seconds[citation needed] and 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.9 seconds.[13] The car has a top speed of 330.5 km/h (205 mph)[citation needed] and can brake from 200 km/h (124 mph) to a complete stop in under 5 seconds.[citation needed] Braking from 100 km/h (62 mph) to zero can be done in under 30 metres (98 ft), around seven car lengths.Nomenclature
The name of the new McLaren sports car is MP4-12C. 'MP4' has been the chassis designation for all McLaren Formula 1 cars since 1981. Since 1997, 'MP4' has stood for McLaren Project 4 (from 1981 to 1996, when McLaren's title sponsor was Marlboro, the "M" stood for this), resulting from the merger of Ron Dennis' Project 4 organisation with McLaren. The '12' refers to McLaren's internal Vehicle Performance Index through which it rates key performance criteria both for competitors and for its own cars. The criteria combine power, weight, emissions, and aerodynamic efficiency. The coalition of all these values delivers an overall performance index that has been used as a benchmark throughout the car's development. The 'C' refers to Carbon, highlighting the application of carbon fibre technology to the future range of McLaren sports cars.MP4-12C shares its name with the MP4/12 Formula 1 car that raced in the 1997 season. This car featured a second brake pedal discovered by photographers to counter understeer on the exit of the corners by selecting the inside rear wheel, similar to the computer controlled "brake steer" system of the MP4-12C.
Production
All of the major components are produced by external contractors, with only final assembly, paint and inspection/shipping occurring at the McLaren Production Centre. Final assembly starts with the MonoCell, around which all components are then placed and fitted.
Comparison
On 10 July 2011, on the BBC programme Top Gear, the MP4-12C set the second fastest lap around the Top Gear Track, posting a time of 1:16.2.[15] The car was developed and tested by McLaren on the Top Gear test track as part of their product development, long before its appearance on the show. This was 1.1 seconds slower than the Ariel Atom 500, and 2.9 seconds faster than its key performance rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia.[16]The MP4-12C finished second behind the Ferrari 458 Italia in Car Magazine's July 2011 group test. It was also beaten into third by the Porsche 911 GT2 RS in the lap times set at Rockingham Speedway by racing driver Ben Collins.[17] At an EVO magazine test it was over a second slower than the Ferrari around the Bedford Autodrome West track,[18] it was also slower in Fifth Gear and Car Magazine.
Variants
Convertible
In addition to the coupe, a convertible version of the MP4-12C is under development at McLaren. The convertible is planned to have a retractable hardtop that will be made from either aluminium or carbon fibre. McLaren is working to preserve the coupé's 200 mph (320 km/h) top speed. Meanwhile, the unique butterfly wing doors of the coupé will be retained.[19]HS
The McLaren MP4-12C HS is a one-off bespoke project of five cars from the McLaren Special Operations division. The HS stands for “High Sport” and all five cars are owned by one of McLaren’s clients. Changes to the HS from the standard MP4-12C include a carbon fiber high down force rear diffuser, wheel arch louvres and a modified airbrake calibration. The HS also has new lightweight wheels with HS style polished spokes and carbon fibre vented rear deck and engine cover vents.Rumors suggest that the HS has a power increase of around 75 horsepower[20]. The five colours[21] of the HS are Burnt Orange, Volcano Orange, Black and two pearlescent white.[22]
Motorsports
GT3
In December 2010, McLaren announced that they would produce a small number of MP4-12C cars in order for them to compete in the FIA GT3 European Championship. McLaren stated that they will provide maintenance for the cars and will begin racing in 2012 with the CRS Racing team.[23] The MP4-12C will be the first car to compete in sportscar racing for the company, since the F1 GTR.[24] It received its début with a single car entry for the Spa Francorchamps round of the British GT championship. This was followed by a three car entry in the 2011 Spa 24 Hours.[25] Another car is also entered in the GT cup of the 2011 Macau Grand Prix, driven by Danny Watts.[26]In March 2012, McLaren readied 25 MP4-12C GT3 cars for a full racing season in the 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship, and its GT drivers tested the car on its Dunsfold test track, the same test track as used in the Top Gear BBC television show[27]. McLaren released several promotional videos for the MP4-12C in the lead up to the racing season, including one of Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton driving the car at locations in the U.S.
Compared to the road car, the MP4-12C GT3 produces less power with only 493 bhp (368 kW; 500 PS) due to homologation. The car features a new bespoke six-speed gearbox that is 80 kg (176 lb) lighter than the road car's seven-speed, developed with Ricardo. The steering wheel is lifted straight from the McLaren MP4-24 Formula 1 car.[28]
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