McLaren officially launched its MP4-12C today – the sports car which will rival Ferrari’s 458 model.
The company is entering a new era as it begins production of road vehicles in greater numbers than it has done before and ends its association with Mercedes. It has begun buying back the 40% stake Mercedes acquired in McLaren and should complete the process by the end of the year.
While the new MP4-12C was officially revealed to the press at McLaren’s headquarters the car was also on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed media event. It was shown alongside a McLaren F1 – the ultra-exclusive supercar, formerly the fastest production car in the world, examples of which have sold for millions of pounds at auction.
The MP4-12C, is powered by an engine built by McLaren in-house. This will inevitably raise speculation that the team might want to go the same way with its F1 cars.
But it announced at the end of last year that a deal was in place to continue its supply of Mercedes F1 engines until 2015 – despite Mercedes entering its own works team in the sport this year.
It’s a significant change for the team that has competed in F1 longer than any other team bar Ferrari. Instead of being partly owned by a car manufacturer, it is now dependent on its ability to sell cars.
Can McLaren inspire enough wealthy buyers to spend over 150,000 on an MP4-12C? It claims it is on the way with over 1,600 expressions of interest for the first 1,000 examples which will be built in the first year of production.
It adds an extra dimension to their long-running rivalry with Ferrari which will now be measured in car sales as well as championship trophies.
And with with Mercedes promoting its SLS AMG via its role as F1 safety car supplier we now have three car manufacturers in F1 who are all competing for sales in the same market segment – an unusual and fascinating scenario.
McLaren MP4-12C
McLaren MP4-12C and rivals
- McLaren MP4-12C road car revealed
- Schumacher in Mercedes SLS ad (video)
- Mercedes SLS AMG to lead the pack as new F1 safety car in 2010
Images (C) F1Fanatic.co.uk
Spud
18th March 2010, 20:55
That MP4-12C is a beauty.
Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait till I win the lotto next week. I’ll head out and get one then.
Any performance figures for it Keith??
stillious
18th March 2010, 21:07
1300 kg/ 2866 lb.
600 bhp, 600 Nm / 443 lb ft.
0-100 km/h (62mph) under 3 seconds
0-200 km/h (124 mph) under 10 seconds
200-0 km/h in under 5 seconds
60-0 less than 30 meters (98′)
1/4 mile under 11 seconds
Top speed over 320 km/h, 200 mph
Projected price in UK £175,000 $267,000.
Spud
18th March 2010, 21:29
Holy guacamole Batman, thats almost €200,000 in monopoly money.
The road tax on that thing would kill me altogether, probably a million euros or so, although I really don’t need too worry since my insurance company would run a mile!
As I said, just wait till I win next weeks lotto jackpot….. Hmm…………
MigueLP
18th March 2010, 22:18
only prob inspired on the 458 design
Bertie
19th March 2010, 8:57
I do love this car but my god i hate the name.
anirudh
19th March 2010, 11:35
is it just me or MP4-12C looks way sexier than Mclaren f1?
his_majesty
19th March 2010, 13:51
It’s just you. I prefer the older McLaren. The front and the rear of the new car don’t do it for me. The snorkel on the F1 is so awesome, it can’t be put into words on this site! The front of the newer car reminds me of the Jag XJ220. I was never a fan of that car either. That is just my opinion.
Uncle
19th March 2010, 17:47
Prefer the F1 TBH
Untitled258
18th March 2010, 21:01
Ill be honest, i think the new Ferrari is much prettier. That said i hope this car does well, it’ll be pretty interesting to see an f1 team going into production road cars, rather then a production road car manufacturers coming into F1. Its something i certainly havn’t seen in my decade of f1 watching.
Patrickl
18th March 2010, 21:38
I have to agree that they didn’t try to go for a “style icon” look with the MP4-12C, but I’d say that’s a good thing. That new Ferrari indeed looks like pretty a hairdressers car while the McLaren looks tough, mean and rugged.
BNK Racing
19th March 2010, 0:22
co-sign…plus its something different. ferraris are like the hondas of the supercar world lol.
todd
19th March 2010, 4:45
mean and rugged?
i thought it was a Peugeot at first.
DanThorn
19th March 2010, 10:44
Who wants a rugged supercar? If you want rugged, buy a Land Rover. Supercars these days are all about finesse and precision.
Adrian
19th March 2010, 13:05
…and which F1 team strikes you as the most precise? For me it’s McLaren.
Patrickl
19th March 2010, 13:35
Preciscion? Brute power and insane speeds is what one wants from a supercar. Muscles and brawn!
If you want precision you buy a Porsche or a Noble or something.
Derek
19th March 2010, 16:13
As Ron Dennis is in charge then it goes without saying that preciscion and functionality and detail and lots of other ‘itys’ are in there.
Scribe
18th March 2010, 21:20
Well here, thank goodness is something that McLaren can get totaly right. No chance silly things like tactics, 800M of track we haven’t had time to process, or indeed anything untoward to get in the way.
I’ll admit the italia looks better but I bet the McLaren is going to go round a track better.
Scribe
18th March 2010, 21:24
Also, what was wrong with orange. This car looked sooooo good in McLarens colours. This black really takes away from the car, and it’s best feature, being the air inlets behind the door.
HG
18th March 2010, 21:57
yea just saw some pics in orange, def much better.
Bartholomew
18th March 2010, 22:07
Definitely, in black it is Batmobile. In orange with silver wheels it is much better
RaceKid
18th March 2010, 21:28
This car just lacks personality. It looks… generic and plain.
TommyB
18th March 2010, 21:32
Couldn’t agree with you more RaceKid. Don’t really like it, I’m sure it’s a fantastic machine but has no character like the old model.
And if you don’t agree put a picture of it next to the new 458 Italia, Quite possibly the best looking car I have ever seen, gorgeous.
steph
19th March 2010, 10:12
Agree although not a fan of the 458 looks but it has a bit of character to it.
DanThorn
19th March 2010, 10:47
If they could combine the looks and drama of the old F1 with the driving experience (if it’s good, which I’m assuming it will be) of the MP4-12C then they’ll be laughing.
ajokay
19th March 2010, 12:09
I still want this car in Forza 3 though, along with the new Honda Super GT-spec race car.
TheGreatCornholio
19th March 2010, 13:46
Ajokay, put a search into youtube for the Honda you mentioned and you can see them testing it at Suzuka. It sounds bloody amazing! Apologies for not being able to give you the exact link details but i’m using my mobile. Think its honda hsv10 GT or something similar! Enjoy:)
Monosodico
19th March 2010, 14:10
Honda HSV-010 Super GT
http://www.modified.com/news/modp-1001-honda-hsv-010-super-gt/index.html
Invoke
18th March 2010, 21:42
I agree with everyone else the Italia has the looks, but this is McLaren and form will most definitely follow function. I heard the Nissan GTR was designed by wind tunnel figures not a designer, I imagine the 12C had a similar design phase.
Sush Meerkat
18th March 2010, 22:42
Machines building machines?, this cannot end well.
Adrian
19th March 2010, 13:07
It doesn’t, I’ve seen the films…
TheGreatCornholio
19th March 2010, 13:49
Lmao:) Brilliant!
Invoke
22nd March 2010, 11:49
haha I have only just seen this reply!
…now I’m half expecting the McLaren technology centre to sprout legs and start terrorizing Surrey!
BasCB
19th March 2010, 14:04
Personally i like the looks of the McLaren more. The italia reminds me of an overstyled Alfa Romeo model. Especially the head lights and the back.
HG
18th March 2010, 21:54
it looks quite tall and bulbous compared to the F1
ErBearJ24
18th March 2010, 22:02
This will be an interesting battle between Ferrari and McLaren. I think McLaren will definitely hold their own because a lot of the concepts for the MP4-12C stem from the McLaren F1 car. I agree with Spud though. Let me go out and win the lottery and then I may consider buying one. Or maybe just sell my house and live in my MP4-12C!
Bartholomew
18th March 2010, 22:10
Ron should also consider making some FRONT ENGINED models, with very elegant styling like the Mercedes Mac SLR and the Mercedes Stirling Moss replica.
Dont make them all rear-engined, Ron!
pSynrg
21st March 2010, 10:00
It’s mid-engined not rear engined. In a similar relative position to the engine in an F1 and other mid-engined configurations. There’s a real functional reason, look it up.
George
18th March 2010, 22:53
Strange they took a LHD model to Goodwood (or are they all LHD?)
zplol
18th March 2010, 22:58
The headlight covers look stupid to be honest.
where are the mclaren badges?
thestig84
18th March 2010, 23:49
Really!? Its a prototype! The headlights and badges are normal on the production version. Check the website and launch video.
chaosthoery
18th March 2010, 23:39
That McLaren F1 car still looks awesome, after 15 years (or more?), Compering it to Ferrari models from that time it still looks young :)
Harvs
19th March 2010, 4:09
ha, remember mclaren said…
…”the McLaren F1, 39 times better than the F40″.
I Agree.
joe
18th March 2010, 23:57
The 458 will be faster than the mp412 around circuits and as near as makes no difference in a straight line. Im looking forward to ferrari releasing an uprated version of the 458 to really make mclaren fanboys spew and demolish any ideas that the mclaren may have a chance
Jack
29th March 2010, 12:09
I don’t wanna break your bubble or anything. But McLaren have already come out saying that this will beat anything in its segment. That includes the 458. The 12c has more power and is lighter. Pretty clear cut.
sato113
19th March 2010, 1:00
it looks like a ferrari from the front!
Dane
19th March 2010, 4:48
I agree. Maybe they got the design info through Spygate
DanThorn
19th March 2010, 10:49
It looks like the old 360, which was a bit of a hippo.
Becken
19th March 2010, 1:40
The guys from Autocar are suggesting that the car will destroy the competition in straight line:
LINK: http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/anythinggoes/archive/2010/03/16/what-do-you-think-of-the-new-mclaren.aspx
wasiF1
19th March 2010, 2:22
I don’t know too much about the economy but I doubt that Mclaren will be able to attract people to buy this car.But am liking the idea that all the F1 manufacturer are now having a battle offtrack in the market just as on track.I hope in the future when Mclaren will buy back it’s share from Mercedes we may see Mclaren engine in F1.
What about Renault, doesn’t they make any sports car? I know they have Renault WIND which is a small sports car.
Jack
29th March 2010, 12:11
1600 confirmed orders says different.
cyanide
19th March 2010, 2:59
Keith, need perhaps a million more pics of the F1. :D
BasCB
19th March 2010, 14:07
Yes, and we can pay Keith 50 pence per picture, so he can buy it and give us a live review!
Harvs
19th March 2010, 4:11
it looks like a breed between a Lambo and a lotus to me.
GeeMac
19th March 2010, 5:33
It’s not the best looking car head on, but it looks stunning in profile. I’m waiting for a Ferrari press release slating new entrants into the supercar market…
Dr Le Quack
19th March 2010, 23:11
LOL! That’s the funniest comment I’ve read in ages! :D
DC
19th March 2010, 5:49
It’ll be interesting when Top Gear gets a hold of one.
KNF
22nd March 2010, 15:14
“Some say that he absorbs carbon fiber through his skin, while others say that he has a built-in Ronspeak to English translator… All we know is, that he’s called The Stig…”
Pat
19th March 2010, 7:43
The McLaren F1 still looks the better car (timeless) :)
Chalky
19th March 2010, 10:00
I agree. I think that option to sit dead centre is something special. It’s a shame the same design was rejected on the MP4-12C.
But, then I guess they would not sell as many to the rich people in Monaco.
pSynrg
21st March 2010, 10:12
I think this illustrates an important point about the MP4-12C design.
The F1 has simply not dated and still looks as good today as it did when we first saw it. Function defining form without allowing fashion to dictate anything.
This will apply equally to the MP4-12C when we look back at it in X amount of years. It’s a timeless design.
The 458 will punctuate this moment in Ferrari’s illustrious and brilliant history, I like it a lot but it is a snap shot of current cutting edge Ferrari design only.
Should that lottery win materialise the MP4-12C is my first car purchase. If it’s the EuroMillions it will be quickly followed by an F1 :)
wasiF1
19th March 2010, 7:02
As there is no forum so just for fun, If you were given all the money on earth then which car will you buy from the recent F1 manufacturer & which model ( recent lineup).
I will go for Ferrari 458.It just look stunning & get these the car’s interior was designed using input from former Ferrari Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher, including a new steering wheel design which incorporates many features and controls as opposed to them being on the dashboard, similar to racing car designs, who ironically now drive for Mercedes F1 Team.
PeterG
19th March 2010, 7:57
I think the front looks like a Porsche.
But actually I don’t like both of them.
dsob
19th March 2010, 8:10
Yeah, the new car looks nice, but as I understand it, to open the rear hatch, the driver has to cover a whole in the side panel with his knee while inserting his pinky finger into a slot in the center console and lightly tapping the armrest with his elbow.
Obviously, they haven’t incorporated the really high-tech stuff from the Formula 1 car yet. Think I’ll wait for the re-design.
Tim
19th March 2010, 9:01
“Instead of being partly owned by a car manufacturer, it is now dependent on its ability to sell cars.”
And on its ability to raise sponsorship, surely? Or is McLaren determined to fund its racing entirely from its road car sales?
Adrian
19th March 2010, 13:12
Well, for starters the McLaren Group has more to it than just the race team and the supercar project…
…they also make electronics and (IIRC) offer consultancy services amongst other things…
…I don’t think they’re going to be too worried about the lack of Merc backing any time soon.
Tim
19th March 2010, 14:15
I know, but the article seemed to suggest the road car business was going to fund the F1 team.
DanThorn
19th March 2010, 10:37
I started falling asleep until I saw the back, at which point I was just sick. There’s no passion in the styling at all and as a result tt looks hugely boring. It’ll have to drive well if it’s going to draw people away from Ferrari’s, Lambo’s and the like because on looks alone I think I’d rather have a Mondeo.
Monad
20th March 2010, 12:17
I like how every has a problem with the looks of the car and no one pays attention to the technical side which makes it the best thing out there.
JUGNU
19th March 2010, 11:04
Can’t wait for comparison tests between F458 and MP4-12C.
Also add Toyota’s recently launched Lexus LFA in the mix.
Which will come out on top?
nemo
19th March 2010, 11:21
..Can’t wait for the Stig to get his hands on this one
explosiva
19th March 2010, 11:38
Design just makes me go “meh”.
Kester
19th March 2010, 12:06
They must be kicking the guy that’s already crashed it!
No one else notice the duct tape on the front bumper?
Icthyes
19th March 2010, 13:38
It seems McLaren can’t even sneeze without patrisan comments being made!
For myself, I’m not a fan of the front, but I really like the rear. Would probably buy it instead of the Ferrari (how original, buying the latest one of those!), but not before the Lotus Exige…
nemo
19th March 2010, 14:24
pffft its not even a 10 plate hahah :P
never been a ferrari fan. but i really like the 458..
not as much as i like this though ;)
Skett
19th March 2010, 15:33
Maybe I’m wrong but wouldn’t the 10 plate start in April?
nemo
19th March 2010, 17:53
nope. ive seen a few of them already. i think its the ’60’ plate that begins in march
Seamus
19th March 2010, 14:32
I’d buy one over a 458 any day if I had that kind of pocket change.
DAT
19th March 2010, 15:08
I think I’ll stick with the old one
wasiF1
19th March 2010, 15:26
Lots of Top Gear
http://www.topgear.com/UK/car-news/mp4-12c-2010-03-18
http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/cars-coming-soon
Skett
19th March 2010, 15:39
Quite enjoyed the video at the bottom, the car makes a great noise!
DGR-F1
19th March 2010, 16:11
I am not quite sure that McLaren will be totally dependent on car sales – don’t they also sell electronics, carbon fire technology and the like from other companies in the group?
Ylan Marcel
19th March 2010, 16:20
A beautiful car, but why McLaren don’t go to GT to fight versus Ferrari?
profesor
20th March 2010, 18:01
yes Whitmarch said they are going
A Singh
19th March 2010, 17:00
Not in the same league as the Ferrari 458 Italia – one stunner of a car, that is impossibly pretty.
Jack
29th March 2010, 12:15
Your point of view. In another the 458 isn’t in the same league as the 12C
thesternowl
19th March 2010, 17:19
One word: Ugly.
A.S
19th March 2010, 23:18
Bad promotion move, to put it next to a more stylish, faster, more beautiful car , this car sux donkey, it looks horrid, monotone, especially the back, which looks like an upbeat remake of a Honda Civic.
I expected something new,fresh and aggressive, they sure need to keep the design studio in order.
Pat
20th March 2010, 7:45
Looks good in race trim :)
http://www.topgear.com/UK/assets/cms/c3b4d0c9-92e1-4b66-a633-0894f5e8c7ac/670x377Image.jpg?p=100203_11:47
Oliver
21st March 2010, 16:55
I think Mclaren could have done a little bit better with the car’s styling. The car looks dated already. Perhaps its the colour. The rear looks like a 90s Nissan 300zx the front like, well the old Mclaren F1. The side view is pretty ordinary.
This car will cost big bucks, it should have the presence to match, and that need not be extreme, just some smooth lines, not kit car feel like we have now.
Alvira Khan
22nd March 2010, 13:13
McLaren have a stellar reputation. I was unaware that they have formerly departed from the Mercedes umbrella. The partnership worked well, although, having the luxury of marketing and selling your own cars has it’s benefits, and will supply direct revenue for future endeavours. I must say that I do like the look of the MP4-12C. It will be interesting to read future expert reviews and how it compares to the Ferrari 458. Alvira Khan, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Alumna, http://www.alvirakhan.com
Chaz
22nd March 2010, 18:40
I definately want one… please…
BasCB
23rd March 2010, 11:56
maybe Button joined McLaren to get his hands on a MP4-12c. He sure looks like enyojing the drive here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-czXXQqK-A&feature=related
marc
23rd March 2010, 18:36
why did button actualy leave mercedes gp he could have been driving with micheal shumache this year i would have stayed there because i was garanteed a team
Jack
29th March 2010, 12:16
Jenson has won a race, Schumacher hasn’t.
marc
23rd March 2010, 18:35
normaly i do this every so often do any one know how you check how many comments you have done
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