MP4-12C enters production

[moranor@axis]

for those that dont know this is pretty much the new McLaren F1

got this off the TG web site

We haven't driven it yet, so can't tell you anything you don't already know. Except perhaps, that McLaren MP4-12C number ‘01' has just entered production.

The first supercar which McLaren chief Ron Dennis claims will be the ‘fastest car money can buy' is being built at the stupefying McLaren Technology Centre. Others however, will be built next-door at a bespoke £40 million production centre still under construction.

Quick stats: 600bhp, 443lb ft, 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, 1,400kg, 0-200kph in 10 seconds and £168,500.

You will know Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have driven it. McLaren also tested it around Dunsfold (ie, TG's track), and benchmarked the 458 and SLS. They reckon its good. Which is good. But can we have a go now please?

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[Sankekur]

Any one know is building the engine?

 

[moranor@axis]

it is very pretty but there is one big problem...

MP4-12C
441 kW
601 N·m
1,400kg
0-200kph in 10 s

McLaren F1
468 kW
651 N·m
1,140 kg
0-200kph in 9.4 s

and no bmw engine :thinking:

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Any one know is building the engine?

McLaren built it them selves...

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so... the 20 year old design is still better

 

[Sankekur]

The F1 is still my favourite, and not just because of its powerplant :mmm:

 

[Rolla]

The first production cars will be a bit slower than the F1...wait a while for the GT version......also, Macca have entered the Le Mans again.......should spell their intent.

 

[P1000]

No, this is definitely not the new F1. This is a mass production car. McLaren did not make any real profit off the F1. The MP4-12c will be a production car, with the aim of making money, as opposed to making cars, as in the case of the F1. (This is what Ron Dennis said in an interview)

Still, I do agree that it seems like it will be an awesome car, but don't equate it to the legendary F1.

 

[moranor@axis]

what worries me most about this car is its a porker even my car is lighter than it
i expected after 20 years they could make it even lighter than the F1
the weight of the F1 contributed alto to how it performed...

also when i 1st read about this car it was supposed to weigh 1200kg maybe the put some weights in it somewhere so later they can take them out and make the proper car... and sell it for more

 

[Nic_s]

what worries me most about this car is its a porker even my car is lighter than it
i expected after 20 years they could make it even lighter than the F1
the weight of the F1 contributed alto to how it performed...

also when i 1st read about this car it was supposed to weigh 1200kg maybe the put some weights in it somewhere so later they can take them out and make the proper car... and sell it for more

Here's something interesting... the E30 weighs less than this new car and it's build from good old steel.

 

[moranor@axis]

what worries me most about this car is its a porker even my car is lighter than it
i expected after 20 years they could make it even lighter than the F1
the weight of the F1 contributed alto to how it performed...

also when i 1st read about this car it was supposed to weigh 1200kg maybe the put some weights in it somewhere so later they can take them out and make the proper car... and sell it for more

Here's something interesting... the E30 weighs less than this new car and it's build from good old steel.

lol but will that chassis take +400kw

 

[Nic_s]

what worries me most about this car is its a porker even my car is lighter than it
i expected after 20 years they could make it even lighter than the F1
the weight of the F1 contributed alto to how it performed...

also when i 1st read about this car it was supposed to weigh 1200kg maybe the put some weights in it somewhere so later they can take them out and make the proper car... and sell it for more

Here's something interesting... the E30 weighs less than this new car and it's build from good old steel.

lol but will that chassis take +400kw

pfft... easy!
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This new car is quite pretty I have to say. The only other super car maker that makes cars that I find pretty is Lambo and Aston. And I'm not talking about 'awesome' looking cars, I mean pretty/beautiful. There is a difference... for me any

 

[moranor@axis]

lol the standard e30 M3 weighs 1,300 kg i would think they had to reinforce it alot to make it take that power...
they could get away with less reinforcing for a drag car but if you want to make a car go around corners fast you need it to be even more stiff...

if they did not do this it will soon rip itself apart...

 

[calypso]

Modern cars have so many requirements that the older ones didnt. Especially in the line of safety and pedestrian safety. This tech, with alot of other modern requirements that people now take for granted means cars get heavier.

The engine was a joint project between Ricardo and Mclaren

And they are still making their halo car, the MP4-12C is just the mainstream 458 fighter.

 

[JustNN]

I think im one of few that did not like the F1:mmm:

 

[Legacy]

pfft... easy!
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That E30 seems... Uhm... Quite dangerous:mmm:

Bloody awesome though

 

[moranor@axis]

this is more true for high volume cars which im not sure this will be... low volume cars have way less restrictions on them

Modern cars have so many requirements that the older ones didnt. Especially in the line of safety and pedestrian safety. This tech, with alot of other modern requirements that people now take for granted means cars get heavier.

The engine was a joint project between Ricardo and Mclaren

And they are still making their halo car, the MP4-12C is just the mainstream 458 fighter.

 

[P1000]

this is more true for high volume cars which im not sure this will be... low volume cars have way less restrictions on them

If you want to sell a car in the US, you will have to conform to all those restrictions, regardless of production volume. And after 2012, all cars will need to be equipped with driver aids like DSC...

 

[moranor@axis]

this is more true for high volume cars which im not sure this will be... low volume cars have way less restrictions on them

If you want to sell a car in the US, you will have to conform to all those restrictions, regardless of production volume. And after 2012, all cars will need to be equipped with driver aids like DSC...

i did not know about this well guess we will never see any light cars till there is a new wonder material that makes it possible...

 

[calypso]

Even the Mac F1 needed to be Americanized with extra safety equipment and higher bumpers to make it legal for everyday use in the US.

MP4-12C has 8 airbags if I remember, memory seats, dual zone climate control ect.

MacF1 had noone of this.

Where is Peloton when you need him?

 

[P1000]

But the F1 had aircon and radio, which was more than the supercars that were slower at the time...

 

[Sankekur]

Yup the aircon was standard on the F1, was a must due the immense heat radiated from the engine and the gold-lined engine bay could only do so much.

The F1 is something else to see in real life

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