An F1 car for the streets: 2011 McLaren MP4-12C
McLaren. Supercars. F1. These words go seamlessly together. It’s been a while since McLaren Automotive produced the legendary McLaren F1 (only 100 were made from 1992-1998), once known as the fastest production car in the world. Car enthusiasts have been waiting for years for their next production car – one fully designed and manufactured solely by McLaren. Well, the wait is over.
Enter the 2011 McLaren MP4-12C (say that 10 times really fast!). Ok, the name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue (McLaren nomenclature: “MP4” is the chassis designation; “12” is their vehicle performance index number; “C” refers to the carbon fiber technology in the car).
Although this car succeeds the F1, it is not meant to replace the F1 as McLaren’s ultimate supercar (that car will come later). Rather, the MP4-12C is McLaren’s version of an “entry-level” supercar (MSRP $229,000), one that will compete with the likes of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570 Superleggera, Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 Turbo, etc.
Featuring a 3.8 Liter twin turbo V8 engine producing 592 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, you KNOW this car is fast. But remember, this is a McLaren. This car was designed with the best of F1 technology in mind. This car is light (only 2866 lbs!) and it oozes lightweight carbon fiber everywhere, including an F1-style one-piece carbon fiber tub. Equipped with a 7-speed Seamless Shift dual clutch transmission, gear shifts are lightning fast. When you combine these factors together, you get a car that will blaze from 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds and run the ¼ mile in 10.9 seconds at 134 mph. Top speed is around 205 mph.
One of the unique features of this car is its innovative suspension, giving the car handling capabilities unmatched by other supercars in its class. One would expect nothing less from McLaren, winner of 12 Drivers’ Championships and 8 Constructors’ Championships in Formula One.
Want to see more? Here’s a nice review by EVO’s Chris Harris on the 2011 McLaren MP4-12C:
While we have some reservations about its exterior styling (somewhat sterile and lacking that true “wow factor”), there can be no question about the technology and performance of this true race car for the streets. Welcome back, McLaren…what took you so long? 😉
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I srecahed a bunch of sites and this was the best.