2011 McLaren MP4-12C review
McLaren MP4-12C is a high-performance two-seater mid-engined model of "core" segments of the sports car market, car costs between £ 125 000 and £ 175,000.
"Global demand for high performance cars is strong, largely because of the great cars of its main competitors. With McLaren to join this list, will only increase. What we offer is a new approach to the market," said Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive president.
McLaren MP4-12C is a high-performance two-seater mid-engined model of "core" segments of the sports car market, car costs between £ 125 000 and £ 175,000.
"Global demand for high performance cars is strong, largely because of the great cars of its main competitors. With McLaren to join this list, will only increase. What we offer is a new approach to the market," said Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive president.
The market for high performance sports cars has increased significantly since the turn of the century. McLaren divides the market into segments, which include both the convenience-oriented, GT cars and luxury cars for the journey of hard edge and use the track.
Segment "core" begins at approximately 125 £ 000 £ 175 000 with the Ferrari F458, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Turbo, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin DB9.
Another segment is the category "high", with prices ranging from £ 175 000 £ 250,000 and is largely made up front with the Ferrari GT cars as the 599GT and the 612, only one challenger in the mid-equipped, the Lamborghini Murcielago.
The last segment is the "last" group, an industry pioneered by the McLaren F1 in 1993 and now populated by a select group of cars such as Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Bugatti Veyron, and cars like Koenigsegg and Pagani following legends such as the Porsche Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo. In 2011, McLaren bring technology and exclusive performance of "last" sector in the "core" segment.
Light weight and performance are the philosophies that define the McLaren. But a real power only is of little importance, if the weight of the car off the SAPS, or if the power is uncontrollable and compromise the driving experience, or the result of emissions acceptable.
Basically, it is essential to keep weight as low as possible. Customers has increased the demand for advanced security and all this means that weight is difficult to shave. However, McLaren weight gain is a passion and heart of the McLaren MP4-12C is a carbon fiber frame, carbon MonoCell.
This revolutionary structure is the automotive version of an innovation McLaren MP4 motorsport 1981 / 1 Formula 1 car. It is not only the core of a fast, safe car, clean and light, but through its revolutionary one-piece molding manufacturing technique also has a unique structure that offers greater freedom for packaging and innovative design.
Single cell allows the creativity of interior design that sets new standards. The focus is entirely unique to 12C cockpit spacious and functional - the car is actually narrower than the competition. The interior styling has a symmetry which then wraps around the residents and makes them feel comfortable physically and emotionally.
The interior uses space well and is designed to meet the 98thpercentile adults in comfort. This is partly achieved by the touch screen of telematics-oriented in "portrait" mode. This is the first for the automotive industry and are more logical - you can read down a page, and our cell phones and other personal information devices are configured in this way.
This is one reason why the 12C design is capable of reversing the trend towards ever larger SUVs. The information center offers innovative all the normal functions of telematics, such as audio, navigation and telephony, while offering some new features never before seen in a car. Meridian, famed producer of the situation of the most advanced sound, first developed his system in the car for the 12C.
Segment "core" begins at approximately 125 £ 000 £ 175 000 with the Ferrari F458, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Turbo, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin DB9.
Another segment is the category "high", with prices ranging from £ 175 000 £ 250,000 and is largely made up front with the Ferrari GT cars as the 599GT and the 612, only one challenger in the mid-equipped, the Lamborghini Murcielago.
The last segment is the "last" group, an industry pioneered by the McLaren F1 in 1993 and now populated by a select group of cars such as Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Bugatti Veyron, and cars like Koenigsegg and Pagani following legends such as the Porsche Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo. In 2011, McLaren bring technology and exclusive performance of "last" sector in the "core" segment.
Light weight and performance are the philosophies that define the McLaren. But a real power only is of little importance, if the weight of the car off the SAPS, or if the power is uncontrollable and compromise the driving experience, or the result of emissions acceptable.
Basically, it is essential to keep weight as low as possible. Customers has increased the demand for advanced security and all this means that weight is difficult to shave. However, McLaren weight gain is a passion and heart of the McLaren MP4-12C is a carbon fiber frame, carbon MonoCell.
This revolutionary structure is the automotive version of an innovation McLaren MP4 motorsport 1981 / 1 Formula 1 car. It is not only the core of a fast, safe car, clean and light, but through its revolutionary one-piece molding manufacturing technique also has a unique structure that offers greater freedom for packaging and innovative design.
Single cell allows the creativity of interior design that sets new standards. The focus is entirely unique to 12C cockpit spacious and functional - the car is actually narrower than the competition. The interior styling has a symmetry which then wraps around the residents and makes them feel comfortable physically and emotionally.
The interior uses space well and is designed to meet the 98thpercentile adults in comfort. This is partly achieved by the touch screen of telematics-oriented in "portrait" mode. This is the first for the automotive industry and are more logical - you can read down a page, and our cell phones and other personal information devices are configured in this way.
This is one reason why the 12C design is capable of reversing the trend towards ever larger SUVs. The information center offers innovative all the normal functions of telematics, such as audio, navigation and telephony, while offering some new features never before seen in a car. Meridian, famed producer of the situation of the most advanced sound, first developed his system in the car for the 12C.
Based on carbon.
McLaren MP4-12C single cell, or "bath", brings benefits not only dynamic, but also offers opportunities for the quality of technology, form the basis of the unique character of the car. And 'designed to allow a structure closer to the general turn promotes more compact vehicle, which is on the road easier and more rewarding to drive.
This is the first car in this segment was built around an engineering solution car racing sound and light, and the first time that a vehicle has never offered a one-piece structure of carbon fiber. This radical change in the design of sports cars means that the 12C introduced new standards not only in the handling, conduct and direct results, but also economical and practical in an already highly competitive.
The cell mono 12C also provides greater safety of the occupants, as it serves as a cell survival security, as it does for a Formula 1 car.
"The whole project is based on the concept of MonoCell 12C. This means that McLaren can enter the market with better performance of our competitors and safer structure, said Claudio Santoni, director of McLaren Automotive Structures body function.
McLaren MP4-12C single cell, or "bath", brings benefits not only dynamic, but also offers opportunities for the quality of technology, form the basis of the unique character of the car. And 'designed to allow a structure closer to the general turn promotes more compact vehicle, which is on the road easier and more rewarding to drive.
This is the first car in this segment was built around an engineering solution car racing sound and light, and the first time that a vehicle has never offered a one-piece structure of carbon fiber. This radical change in the design of sports cars means that the 12C introduced new standards not only in the handling, conduct and direct results, but also economical and practical in an already highly competitive.
The cell mono 12C also provides greater safety of the occupants, as it serves as a cell survival security, as it does for a Formula 1 car.
"The whole project is based on the concept of MonoCell 12C. This means that McLaren can enter the market with better performance of our competitors and safer structure, said Claudio Santoni, director of McLaren Automotive Structures body function.
The design principles.
McLaren MP4-12C design follows the same principles as the McLaren Formula 1 cars and the legendary McLaren F1, where everything has a reason, and all the lines, surfaces and details is designed with a job in mind as far as style .
Frank Stephenson, McLaren Automotive Design Director, said: "Many of the sports cars and supercars, at the time of 'in-your-face", the "look-at-me" image, which can become worn, and rude, the maximum compliment for the unexpected, "... was in his time." Great design is timeless and the material seems a year later. When the 12C, we have produced a car that looks good today and it still looks good in the coming years. "
12C, the body is designed to support industry-leading levels of downforce. This downforce to promote industry-leading levels of lateral grip and stability. Airflow is maniacally able to support all the features and objectives of the light. For example, setting the engine near the radiator to keep the car tight and lose weight. This leads to an enormous challenge to ensure plenty of airflow. The result? Large side without turning the ball, and integrated into the behind the scenes that are dramatic, but purely functional. It is larger or smaller, if necessary.
The challenge for designers is to then take this style driven by the aspirations of engineering and add personality. That's why the air intakes, as the McLaren logo, as well as other characteristics of the entire car.
Single power supply.
McLaren MP4-12C is powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine -. 90 ⁰ The 'M838T' This marks the beginning of a new era in the "core" segment of sports cars - less capacity, low weight, greater efficiency and more economic power units. The engine has the highest specific power in its segment, which when combined with its low chassis weight carbon composite that delivers power and torque copy on the weight.
"M838T" McLaren is a single engine, developed specifically for the 12C. It is compact, lightweight, very rigid and offers a combination of uncompromising performance and handling with good values and excellent economy of CO2 emissions.
Take the power and the combined emissions 12C delivers its power more effectively than any other car on the market with an internal combustion engine, including hybrids.
'M838T' dual variable valve timing and produces about 600bhp and 600Nm of torque. A dry sump and crankshaft surface Allow the engine to be placed very low in the chassis, lowering the center of gravity and improve handling response. It also covers the composite cam and intake manifolds, which reduces weight and heat transfer in fresh air.
Engine speed to 8500 rpm, has a fast transient response and accelerator delivers its abundant torque at all engine speeds. A staggering 80 percent of torque available below 2,000 rpm, which ensures easy handling and no need to floor the accelerator to deliver performance.
A pro-active body control.
The suspension of the McLaren MP4-12C floor innovates and offers unprecedented levels of roll control and grip.
Extreme levels of dynamic performance of the car would normally mean a round rock-hard, but 12C provides compliance and comfort more like a sedan direction. The mix of tenants cosseting and athletic potential is unique. The 12C offers the driver both first class comfort and top performance.
The 12C is clear and balanced, to negotiate with the high-speed corners and low, under the leadership changes in slow and hard or soft wedges, or openness.
The suspension is based on the double wishbone with coil springs. The shock absorbers are connected hydraulically and provides adaptive responses depending on road conditions and both driver's preference.
The system includes adjustable sway control that replaces the mechanical anti-roll bars, which were a standard feature of road cars since time immemorial. It allows the car to maintain control when cornering hard roll, while the specific dissociation of the suspension in a straight line of wheel articulation and excellent implementation.
Another feature that allows you to manage a new level of 12C is developing an electronic system, a McLaren MP4/12 Formula 1 1997 - Brake-Steer. Basically it is a system, the brakes in the rear wheel when the car is moving too fast in a corner, so that the desired radius.
Price £ 175,000
McLaren MP4-12C design follows the same principles as the McLaren Formula 1 cars and the legendary McLaren F1, where everything has a reason, and all the lines, surfaces and details is designed with a job in mind as far as style .
Frank Stephenson, McLaren Automotive Design Director, said: "Many of the sports cars and supercars, at the time of 'in-your-face", the "look-at-me" image, which can become worn, and rude, the maximum compliment for the unexpected, "... was in his time." Great design is timeless and the material seems a year later. When the 12C, we have produced a car that looks good today and it still looks good in the coming years. "
12C, the body is designed to support industry-leading levels of downforce. This downforce to promote industry-leading levels of lateral grip and stability. Airflow is maniacally able to support all the features and objectives of the light. For example, setting the engine near the radiator to keep the car tight and lose weight. This leads to an enormous challenge to ensure plenty of airflow. The result? Large side without turning the ball, and integrated into the behind the scenes that are dramatic, but purely functional. It is larger or smaller, if necessary.
The challenge for designers is to then take this style driven by the aspirations of engineering and add personality. That's why the air intakes, as the McLaren logo, as well as other characteristics of the entire car.
Single power supply.
McLaren MP4-12C is powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine -. 90 ⁰ The 'M838T' This marks the beginning of a new era in the "core" segment of sports cars - less capacity, low weight, greater efficiency and more economic power units. The engine has the highest specific power in its segment, which when combined with its low chassis weight carbon composite that delivers power and torque copy on the weight.
"M838T" McLaren is a single engine, developed specifically for the 12C. It is compact, lightweight, very rigid and offers a combination of uncompromising performance and handling with good values and excellent economy of CO2 emissions.
Take the power and the combined emissions 12C delivers its power more effectively than any other car on the market with an internal combustion engine, including hybrids.
'M838T' dual variable valve timing and produces about 600bhp and 600Nm of torque. A dry sump and crankshaft surface Allow the engine to be placed very low in the chassis, lowering the center of gravity and improve handling response. It also covers the composite cam and intake manifolds, which reduces weight and heat transfer in fresh air.
Engine speed to 8500 rpm, has a fast transient response and accelerator delivers its abundant torque at all engine speeds. A staggering 80 percent of torque available below 2,000 rpm, which ensures easy handling and no need to floor the accelerator to deliver performance.
A pro-active body control.
The suspension of the McLaren MP4-12C floor innovates and offers unprecedented levels of roll control and grip.
Extreme levels of dynamic performance of the car would normally mean a round rock-hard, but 12C provides compliance and comfort more like a sedan direction. The mix of tenants cosseting and athletic potential is unique. The 12C offers the driver both first class comfort and top performance.
The 12C is clear and balanced, to negotiate with the high-speed corners and low, under the leadership changes in slow and hard or soft wedges, or openness.
The suspension is based on the double wishbone with coil springs. The shock absorbers are connected hydraulically and provides adaptive responses depending on road conditions and both driver's preference.
The system includes adjustable sway control that replaces the mechanical anti-roll bars, which were a standard feature of road cars since time immemorial. It allows the car to maintain control when cornering hard roll, while the specific dissociation of the suspension in a straight line of wheel articulation and excellent implementation.
Another feature that allows you to manage a new level of 12C is developing an electronic system, a McLaren MP4/12 Formula 1 1997 - Brake-Steer. Basically it is a system, the brakes in the rear wheel when the car is moving too fast in a corner, so that the desired radius.
Price £ 175,000