McLaren MP4-12C starts production

Image
AutoTrader NZ
Author
Published 3 September 2020

“Chassis 01” is taking shape at the McLaren plant, where the company plans to build around a thousand of the high-powered MP4-12Cs in 2011.

The MP4-12C is fitted with a twin-turbocharged McLaren-built 3.8-litre V8 engine producing 600bhp (447kW) and 442lb/ft (599Nm) of pulling power. A seven-speed “Seamless Shift” dual-clutch transmission puts power to the tarmac, enabling the car to accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 300km/h.

Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director said: “There is genuine desire for McLaren to be launching our own range of sports cars, and an exciting appreciation of what McLaren stands for: innovation, technology leadership, and a winning mentality.

“In five years, the MP4-12C has evolved from a concept we developed in our own Formula 1 simulator, to a groundbreaking high-performance sports car offering unique technologies and outstanding dynamic performance. It has been an intensive development programme, but now the fun really begins as our future owners look forward to taking delivery of their 12Cs.”

Milestone events in the 2010 launch year for the 12C have been captured in a new video, which features appearances from Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, who have both provided feed back on the car’s development. The video also captures McLaren Automotive’s Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin taking the car winter testing at the BBC Top Gear test track. Check it out below…