2011 McLaren MP4-12C

"Everything is for a reason." McLaren has stayed true to its design philosophy for 20 years of sports car design and ever since the day it began creating F1 wonders. The McLaren MP4-12C, the first modern McLaren, has stayed true to the words and stands not only as a proof of McLaren's dedication to creating technology-lead but also their commitment to produce customer-focused sports cars.

In line with the dogged determination of McLaren to maintain industry leading standards for high performance, the company has been consistently developing sports cars that are showstoppers, and this has been the motivation by the company in designing and developing a range of top performing sports cars. It is a confirmation in a flash by a company that is known for its adherence to cutting edge technology and unmatched performance. This has been the main focus of top management when they conceptualized the McLaren MP4-12C project. Indeed, the company was able to re-write the rules of the game in the sports car niche.

The 12C was able to top the performance and applications of its erstwhile competitors, including the industry leading exotic speedsters. While ensuring unrivaled norms of performance and capability never before seen in sports cars, the company still retained a significant clout with the more responsive segment of the market. This was made possible with the adoption of design concepts that practically started from scratch. Indeed, the company has left no stone unturned in order to meet its lofty goals in creating a real masterpiece.

The McLaren MP4-12C was created to usher the entry of McLaren in manufacturing 21st Century sports car. The car was first officially revealed to the press at the McLaren's headquarters in Woking, United Kingdom and was also displayed at the Goodwood Festival of speed alongside the McLaren F1. This is only the first design from a line of consumer-oriented sports car, but it has created so much attention that sports car aficionados are clamoring for more.

The incredible contours and curves do not only serve to feed an insatiable need for aesthetic design and beauty but also serves as the fulfillment or perhaps the end of a search for ultimate functionality. And the luxurious interior design will leave an unforgettable memory of comfort and convenience.

A Design of Class, Luxury, and Purpose

The McLaren MP4-12C features a luxurious cabin that is configured with an Active Dynamics system panel and a slim center console. It gives you full control and authority to every aspect of your exotic roadster. The sports seats are set close to each other to provide an enhanced view and perception. And coupled with a door-mounted climate control knobs and a perky button-less steering wheel, it is a driving experience like no other.

The McLaren MP4-12C was designed in fulfillment to every car manufacturer's dream of taming aerodynamics to the car's benefit without compromising comfort and style, combining precision and proportion in masterful orchestration.

All the fins, vents, and the flat underbody are there for a reason, this is according to Frank Stephenson, McLaren's Automotive Design Director. With the experience of building F1 racers, McLaren puts in good use the aerodynamic technology that it has aimed to master for years in the business. The cars design can achieve maximum speed without the use of tea try wings or deep front air dams, and maintain stability all at the same time. Its wholesomeness and purity in design make it a timeless masterpiece that will mark in history as the car that started it all.

An Expedited Journey to Perfection

One of the greatest features of the McLaren MP4-12C is its proprietary Carbon MonoCell, an 80-kilogram single-piece chassis made from carbon fiber designed to be lightweight but strong and durable. The Carbon MonoCell reduces the weight of the entire structure and allows the use of lighter weight body panels. The lighter the car, the faster it runs. The McLaren MP4-12C is powered by M838T, a 3.8 liter 90° V8 engine. This gives it the highest power output amongst its rivals. Together with its lightweight chassis, the McLaren MP4-12C runs with a beyond-compare power-and-torque-to-weight ratio and champions the race with graceful instantaneity.

The driver and passenger seat are also positioned close to each other to allow a narrower and lighter body, and in effect provides it an improved visibility with a clearer perception on each lateral extremity. The car is also equipped with forged aluminum hub which is 8 kilograms lighter than carbon ceramic breaks. The exhaust pipes have been minimized in length and weight by placing them directly out of rear of the car. It is also equipped with airflow-assisted Airbreak deployment that dramatically reduces the weight of the Airbreak activation system.

The secret of the McLaren MP4-12C powerful manageability is in its brake-steer system. This has been developed to cancel out the understeerer system when entering corners and provides improved traction. The forged aluminum break hubs, airbreak system, and Pre-Cog transmission that directs the gearbox for the next shift gives better control to the cars superior speed and power capacity.

The Proactive Chassis Control system is responsible for the McLaren MP4-12C advanced ride and handling control. It features adjustable roll control in place of mechanical anti-roll bars that has been a standard feature of road cars since the beginning of car history. It provides the car excellent roll control even with heavy cornering and turns. This is while assisting the suspension in a straight line for an outstanding compliance and obedience. The gearbox includes three modes: normal, sport and high-performance. This adjust several parameters in the system to fulfill the cars legacy of being a master in both speed and driver deference.

The McLaren MP4-12C is a beautiful combination of the F1 perfections and McLaren's breakthroughs in automotive technology. The distinctive gills, the low widescreen for terrific front-side visibility and the wiper blade that adopts a high end configuration referred to as single weight-saving pantograph design, are all divergent characteristics of an F1 that the McLaren MP4-12C carries in pride and in higher speed.

The supercar's engine also features low fuel consumption and CO₂ emission since that car has been created for road use. The McLaren MP4-12C is expected to hit the market and start competing in 2011 with other sports car brands that are veterans in the business, like Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo. The McLaren MP4-12C carries a hefty price tag of $250,000.