McLaren MP4-12C

Not to be confused with the McLaren MP4/12.

McLaren MP4-12C

Manufacturer	McLaren Automotive
Production	2011
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-seat Coupé
Layout	MR layout
Engine	McLaren M838T twin-turbo 3.8 L V8
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch
Wheelbase	2,670 mm (105.1 in)[1]
Length	4,507 mm (177.4 in)[1]
Width	1,909 mm (75.2 in)[1]
Height	1,199 mm (47.2 in)[1]
Kerb weight	1,399 kg (3,084 lb)[2]
Designer	Frank Stephenson

The McLaren MP4-12C is a sports car designed and manufactured by McLaren Automotive. It is the first production car wholly designed and built by McLaren since the McLaren F1. The car's final design was unveiled on 8 September 2009, and it is set to be launched in 2011. The MP4-12C features a carbon fibre composite chassis, and is powered by a mid-mounted McLaren M838T 3.8-litre V8, twin-turbo engine developing approximately 592 bhp (441 kW; 600 PS) and around 443 lb·ft (601 N·m) of torque. The car will make use of Formula 1-sourced technologies such as "brake steer^[3] ", where the inside rear wheel is braked during fast cornering to reduce understeer. Power is transmitted to the wheels through a 7-speed Seamless Shift dual-clutch gearbox. When tested on the British motoring show Top Gear, the MP4-12C completed a lap of the test track in 1:16.2 to become the second fastest car on the lap board, 1.1 seconds slower than the Ariel Atom 500, and 3.1 seconds faster than its key performance rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia.^[4] However it was slower at three other comparisons: at an EVO magazine test it was over a second slower than the Ferrari around the Bedford Autodrome West track,^[5] it was also slower in Fifth Gear and Car Magazine.

Specifications

Design

As with the McLaren F1, carbon fibre is used extensively in the vehicle to minimise weight. The MP4-12C weighs 1,301 kg (2,868 lb) dry.^[6]

The chassis is based around an F1 style one-piece carbon fibre tub, called the Carbon MonoCell, weighing only 80 kg (176 lb). The MonoCell is made in a single pressing by using a unique set of patented processes, using Bi-Axial and Tri-Axial carbon fibre weave produced by Toray Industries of Japan, with the MonoCell manufactured by Carbo Tech in Salzburg, Austria.^[7][8] This has reduced the time required to produce a MonoCell from 3000hrs for the F1 and 500hrs for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, to 4hrs for the MP4-12C.^[7]

The car has a conventional two side-by-side seating arrangement, unlike its predecessor the McLaren F1 which featured an irregular three seat formation (front center, two behind either side). To make up for this however, the car's central console is narrower than in other cars, seating the driver closer to the center. Interior trim and materials can be specified in asymmetric configuration - known as "Driver Zone".

Engine

Main article: McLaren M838T engine

The car is powered by the M838T 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, designed and developed by McLaren in partnership with Ricardo.^[9] The design of the engine was based on the Nissan VRH35 racing engine used in Le Mans in 1998. However, other than the 93 mm bore, little of that engine remains in the M838T.^[10] It produces 592 bhp (441 kW; 600 PS) and 443 lb·ft (601 N·m) of torque. It has a redline of 8,500 rpm, with 80% of torque available at just 2,000 rpm.^[6][11] When first announced, McLaren claimed that it would have a higher horsepower to carbon dioxide emission ratio than any internal-combustion engine available at the time.^[12]

Transmission

The engine is connected to a seven-speed automatic dual-clutch gearbox made in Italy by Graziano. Dubbed the "Seamless Shift Gearbox" or SSG, the gearbox features a system dubbed "Pre-Cog" that allows the driver to preselect the next gear by lightly tapping the paddle.^[10][13]

Performance

McLaren have stated the MP4-12C can accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.9 seconds.^[14] The car will have a top speed in excess of 322 km/h (200 mph) and will be able to brake from 200 km/h (124 mph) to a complete stop in under 5 seconds. Braking from 100 km/h (62 mph) to zero can be done in under 30 metres (98 ft), around seven car lengths.

On 10 July 2011, on the BBC programme Top Gear, the MP4-12C set the second fastest lap around the Top Gear Track, posting a time of 1:16.2.^[15] The car was developed and tested on the Top Gear test track before its appearance on the show. The MP4-12C finished second behind the Ferrari 458 Italia in Car Magazine's July 2011 group test. It was also beaten into third by the Porsche 911 GT2 RS in the lap times set at Rockingham Speedway by racing driver Ben Collins.^[16]

Nomenclature

The name of the new McLaren sports car is MP4-12C. 'MP4' has been the chassis designation for all McLaren Formula 1 cars since 1981. Since 1997, 'MP4' has stood for McLaren Project 4 (from 1981 to 1996, when McLaren's title sponsor was Marlboro, the "M" stood for this), resulting from the merger of Ron Dennis' Project 4 organisation with McLaren. The '12' refers to McLaren's internal Vehicle Performance Index through which it rates key performance criteria both for competitors and for its own cars. The criteria combine power, weight, emissions, and aerodynamic efficiency. The coalition of all these values delivers an overall performance index that has been used as a benchmark throughout the car's development. The 'C' refers to Carbon, highlighting the application of carbon fibre technology to the future range of McLaren sports cars.

MP4-12C shares its name with the MP4/12 Formula 1 car that raced in the 1997 season. This car featured a second brake pedal discovered by photographers to counter understeer on the exit of the corners by selecting the inside rear wheel, similar to the computer controlled "brake steer" system of the MP4-12C.

Production

Produced at the new £50M McLaren Production Centre, which is located next to the existing award wining McLaren Technology Centre in Surrey, the building is desiged to serve as the future production site of McLaren Automotive's road cars. British Prime Minister David Cameron officially opened the building on 18 November, 2011.^[17]

All of the major components are produced by external contractors, with only final assembley, paint and inspection/shipping occuring at the McLaren Production Centre. Final assembley starts with the MonoCell, around which all components are then placed and fitted.

Variants

Convertible

In addition to the coupe, a convertible version of the MP4-12C is under development at McLaren. The convertible is planned to have a retractable hardtop that will be made from either aluminium or carbon fibre. McLaren is working to preserve the coupé's 200 mph (320 km/h) top speed. Meanwhile, the unique butterfly wing doors of the coupé will be retained.^[18]

Motorsports

GT3

In December 2010, McLaren announced that they would produce a small number of MP4-12C cars in order for them to compete in the FIA GT3 European Championship. McLaren stated that they will provide maintenance for the cars and will begin racing in 2012 with the CRS Racing team.^[19] The MP4-12C will be the first car to compete in sportscar racing for the company, since the F1 GTR.^[20] It received its début with a single car entry for the Spa Francorchamps round of the British GT championship. This was followed by a three car entry in the 2011 Spa 24 Hours.^[21] Another car is also entered in the GT cup of the 2011 Macau Grand Prix, driven by Danny Watts.^[22]

Compared to the road car, the MP4-12C GT3 produces less power with only 493 bhp (368 kW; 500 PS) due to homologation. The car features a new bespoke six-speed gearbox that is 80 kg (176 lb) lighter than the road car's seven-speed, developed with Ricardo. The steering wheel is lifted straight from the McLaren MP4-24 Formula 1 car.^[23]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "The New McLaren MP4-12C Official Details". motorimpress.com. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/default.aspx?carID=17382&i=2. Retrieved 2011-04-09. ^{[dubious – discuss]}
2. ^ "Autozine McLaren MP4-12C". http://www.autozine.org/Archive/McLaren/new/MP4_12C.html. Retrieved 2011-09-01. 
3. ^ "McLaren MP-12C:First Batch of details and images surface". Autoblog. http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/mclaren-mp4-12c-first-batch-of-details-and-images-surface/. 
4. ^ "TopGear Stig Power Laps". Bbc.co.uk. 2008-10-20. http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/show/powerlaps.shtml. Retrieved 2011-07-20. 
5. ^ "Ferrari 458 beats McLaren MP4-12C". evo.co.uk. http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/269944/ferrari_458_beats_mclaren_mp412c.html. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "McLaren MP4-12C First look". Edmunds.com. 2009-10-13. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=156926. 
7. ^ ^{a b} http://www.worldcarfans.com/110031825200/mclaren-mp4-12c---full-specs-announced-video
8. ^ http://www.reinforcedplastics.com/view/10221/carbo-tech-to-produce-carbon-fibre-monocoques-for-mclaren-sports-cars/
9. ^ "New Ricardo engine assembly facility commences pilot production". ricardo.com. http://www.ricardo.com/en-gb/News--Media/Press-releases/News-releases1/2011/New-Ricardo-engine-assembly-facility-commences-pilot-production/. Retrieved 2011-02-19. 
10. ^ ^{a b} "Car & Driver: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C Tech Trickledown". "2011-2-01". http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q1/2012_mclaren_mp4-12c-first_drive_review/tech_trickledown_page_2. Retrieved "2011-3-27". 
11. ^ "The Official McLaren Automotive Website". 2010-02-03. http://www.mclarenautomotive.com/uk/default.aspx#/p11/explode. 
12. ^ "McLaren MP4-12C - the first official P11 story". "2009-09-08. http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/McLaren-MP4-12C-2011-the-first-official-story-09-09/. 
13. ^ English, Andrew ("2011-02-14). "McLaren MP4-12C review". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/carreviews/8319057/McLaren-MP4-12C-review.html. 
14. ^ "McLaren Releases Full Specs on MP4-12C". insideline.com. 2011-02-14. http://www.insideline.com/mclaren/mp4-12c/mclaren-releases-full-specs-on-mp4-12c.html. 
15. ^ "Top Gear Power Laps". 2011-07-10. http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/show/powerlaps.shtml. Retrieved 2011-07-11. 
16. ^ "McLaren MP4-12C supercar group test". Car Magazine. http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/McLaren-MP4-12C-supercar-group-test/. Retrieved July 12, 2011. 
17. ^ http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/mclaren-technology-centre-david-cameron-formula-one-2011-11-18
18. ^ "Inside Line: First Look at the Topless McLaren MP4-12C". Inside Line. 2009-10-14. http://www.insideline.com/mclaren/mp4-12c/first-look-at-the-topless-mclaren-mp4-12c.html. Retrieved 2011-05-02. 
19. ^ "McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Announcement website". Mclarengt.com. http://mclarengt.com/. Retrieved 2011-02-19. 
20. ^ Elizalde, Pablo (17 December 2010). "McLaren MP4-12C to race from 2012". autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88720. Retrieved 18 December 2010. 
21. ^ Phillip, Sam (20 April 2011). "McLaren MP4-12C GT3: a Top Gear exclusive". http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/mclaren-mp4-12c-gt3-2011-04-20. Retrieved 5 May 2011. 
22. ^ "Qualifying". 19 November 2011. http://www.afos.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1537:qualifying-rounds-11-a-12-guia-circuit-japan-&catid=84:results&Itemid=186. Retrieved 19 November 2011. 
23. ^ "evo: McLaren MP4-12C GT3 racing car: new pictures and video". http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/267454/mclaren_mp412c_gt3_racing_car_new_pictures_and_video.html. Retrieved 5 May 2011. 

External links

• Official McLaren Automotive website