12C – Page 2 – Automobiles Review

Neiman Marcus McLaren 12C Spider – Price $354,000

Neiman Marcus has presented the annual Christmas Book, which will feature a special edition McLaren 12C Spider.

The car is finished in Volcano Red. It is powered by the same engine – a 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 625HP (460 kW) and 600Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 328 km/h (204 mph). The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The customers will also get a special luggage set and a business-class trip to England for a tour of the McLaren Technology Center and a VIP dinner with McLaren Chairman Ron Dennis. Indeed, it is very good value for money, especially when you will eventually pay whopping $354,000 for Neiman Marcus McLaren 12C Spider.

However, only 12 units will be available, so don’t worry. There will be a unit for every customer considering that people estimate their money.

Source: McLaren

October 10, 2012

McLaren MP4-12C Spider at the track [video]

McLaren Automotive has released a new interesting promotional video for their latest model – the MP4-12C Spider. The sports drop-top car is based on the famous MP4-12C. As a basis of this model served the same super stiff carbon fibre MonoCell chassis as its hardtop sibling and this means that it will be nothing else but exciting and dynamic to drive.

The MP4-12C Spider is powered by the same twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine that produces 625HP (460 kW). It is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph). In terms of efficiency, the MP4-12C Spider will average 11.7 L/100km (24.2 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 279 g/km.

The footage was shot using cinema-quality RED cameras and shows the car on the track as well as the mountain roads of southern Spain.

Enjoy the video!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrPpxwYcFMM

July 12, 2012

Ugur Sahin Alfa Romeo 12C GTS Concept [HD video]

Ugur Sahin Design has released an interesting video, where the Alfa Romeo C12 GTS Concept has been previewed. The Dutch specialty coachworks and design company shows their bold design of the sports car.

The main goal is to reinterpret Alfa Romeo’s historical lines, surfaces and styling cues with fresh perspective and state of mind in order to create an appealing design and combining the familiar design language of Alfa Romeo combined with sharper lines and surfaces without losing the organic attractiveness of the car.

For now, the car is only a rendering, but the company is searching for investors, who may be interested and help the C12 GTS Concept to become a real sports car.

Check out the video and the pictures below.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFDxUxWEV80

Source: UgurSahinDesign via Youtube

May 29, 2012

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship

The new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is ready for race debut in 2012, following an intensive development programme in 2011. The competitive race season begins for new McLaren GT customer teams in Germany on 31 March, with the opening rounds of the VLN and ADAC GT Masters championships at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe and Oschersleben respectively.

The MP4-12C sports car, on which the GT3 racer is based, will also make its debut as a safety car in the FIA GT1 World Championship race at the Nogaro circuit in France on 8-9 April.

The McLaren race cars will wear the unique liveries of ART, ASM, Boutsen Energy, Gulf Racing, Molitor Racing, United Autosports and Von Ryan Racing. The JAS team will also take part in selected rounds of the championship. Footage of the new 12C GT3s at the test event in southern France can be seen at “mclarenautomotivetv channel” vai Youtube.

Gemballa Racing and Doerr Motorsport will compete in the 12C GT3 in the German VLN series, which includes the famous 24 Hour Nürburgring endurance race in May.

Molitor Racing and Gemballa Racing will run in ADAC GT Masters, and French FIA GT1 Champions Hexis Racing will line up on the grid of the FIA GT1 World Championship. Series Champions Apex Motorsport will enter a new 12C GT3 in selected rounds of this year’s British GT championship, while the Lapidus Racing team will contest the International GT Open series, and also compete in forthcoming 24-hour races at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Circuit de Catalunya in Spain.

Teams racing the 12C GT3 in 2012 have enlisted the services of highly successful racing drivers for the 2012 season. Former Formula 1 drivers Mark Blundell and David Brabham (also a Le Mans 24hr winning driver) will race for United Autosports and 2011 Formula 2 competitor Jack Clarke will drive for Boutsen Energy. Rob Bell, Alvaro Parente and Alexander Sims, who recently joined the McLaren GT driver line-up for 2012, will be placed with customer teams, while McLaren Automotive Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin will also contest selected races in a 12C GT3 throughout the season.

“I’m excited that we are so close to seeing the 12C GT3 in its first full race season. The feedback I have received from customers that have already taken delivery of the car is very positive.”, commented Andrew Kirkaldy, Project Manager for McLaren GT.

“The 2011 development programme was challenging, but had many highlights. We started with a pole position in qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps in the British GT Championship, and ended the race season with a third place finish in Macau. In one year, McLaren GT has taken the 12C GT3 from concept to race readiness. We will learn more about the car in the early part of the season – and expectations will naturally be high of a car full of Formula 1 technology – but our objective is to makes the 12C GT3 as much a pleasure to own and run as it is race.” , he added.

The 12C GT3 shares the same V8 twin turbo engine and carbon ‘MonoCell’ chassis as its road car sibling, and its aerodynamic package was developed by McLaren GT in partnership with specialist engineers and designers at McLaren Automotive.

Source: McLaren

March 29, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: FAB Design McLaren MP4-12C

FAB Design has announced their latest tuning project based on the supercar McLanre MP4-12C. The name of the project is Terso and it is currently exhibited at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The exterior boasts a new front fascia with intakes, modified rear bumper and a diffuser as well as a carbon fiber wing. The last touch is the roof-mounted scoop. The ride sits on 20” alloy wheels fitted with Dunlop SP SportMaxx performance tires.

The performance is also upgraded. The mighty twin-turbo 3.8 liter V8 develops 680PS (500 kW) and 715Nm (527 lb-ft), which is an overall increase of 80PS (59 kW) and 115Nm (85 lb-ft). 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds dead and a top speed of 213 mph (343 km/h).

Source: FAB Design

March 9, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: Gemballa GT McLaren MP4-12C

Gemballa has introduced the Gemballa GT based on the McLaren MP4-12C at the Geneva Motor Show.

“Our starting point is a aerodynamic styling kit and ultra-light forged alloy wheels, and we are developing an engine upgrade programme as well.”, commented Gemballa CEO, Andreas Schwarz.

The Gemballa GT comes with complete aerodynamic package including a new front spoiler, a new rear bumper, a pair of side skirts, a new rear apron and a rear wing.

The car sits on 20” alloy wheels at the front and 21” at the rear fitted with high-performance low-profile tires.

However, do not mistake this model to the recently introduced Racing MP4-12C GT3.

Source: Gemballa

March 7, 2012

Mansory McLaren MP4-12C

Mansory has introduced the customised McLaren MP4-12C, which received both styling and performance modifications.

The exterior comes with complete body kit including ultralight bonnet with exposed carbon-fibre sections, front and rear aprons as well as mirror housings and wheel arch extensions, which widen the vehicle by 60 mm. All components are made of carbon fibre and hardened in the autoclave under high pressure and temperature.

The performance mods include a high-performance exhaust system, a new engine-management system and a sports air filter with increased air throughflow. The result is 670PS (493 kW) at 7100RPM and 675Nm (498 lb-ft) at 3000RPM. This is an increase of 62PS and 75Nm over the factory power. After the modifications, the top speed is 353 km/h (219 mph).

The Mansory MP4-12C sits on enormous 9.0J x 20” with 245/30 ZR20 at the front and 11J x 21” with 305/25 ZR1 tires at the rear axle. The wheel set guarantees perfect traction even at speeds over 300 km/h.

The interior boasts newly designed airbag sports steering wheel, the aluminium pedals and the real carbon-fibre elements.

Source: Mansory

March 2, 2012

Three McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race cars at Spa-Francorchamps

McLaren will take place at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit this weekend for Total 24 Hours of Spa. The manufacturers follows the successful race debut there in the British GT Championship early in July.

Totally ten racing drivers will pilot three McLaren MP4-12 Race cars in the first ever 24 hour race for this model.

The McLaren GT driver line-up for the Total 24 Hours of Spa includes CRS Racing Team Principal Andrew Kirkaldy and McLaren Automotive Chief Test driver Chris Goodwin. Both are Directors of the new McLaren GT company, which is led by McLaren Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh and includes McLaren Racing Head of Vehicle Engineering Mark Williams.

Check out the driver line-up, below!

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 drivers for Total 24 Hours of Spa:

Pro-Cup category

Car 58 (McLaren GT):
Rob Bell – GB
Chris Goodwin – GB
Tim Mullen – GB

Car 59 (McLaren GT):
Andrew Kirkaldy – GB
Álvaro Parente – POR
Oliver Turvey – GB

Pro-Am Cup category

Car 60 (McLaren GT and VonRyan Racing):
Adam Christodoulou – GB
Glynn Geddie – GB
Phil Quaife – GB
Roger Wills – NZL

Source: McLaren

July 26, 2011

McLaren’s First Showroom in Germany

McLaren is going to open its first two showrooms in Germany, today. McLaren Dusseldorf and McLaren Hamburg are scheduled to open their doors in time for the 2011 Formula 1™ German Grand Prix which will take place at the Nurburgring this coming weekend.

The new MP4-12C high-performance sports car will be offered as well as a wide range of services. Every showroom will exhibit a piece of history to highlight McLaren’s rich heritage with each McLaren showroom displaying a real McLaren race car, driven by some of the finest racing drivers in the world.

McLaren Dusseldorf will exhibit MP4/5 which took Alain Prost to a world championship title in 1989 and Hamburg’s showroom will have MP4/6, the car in which Ayrton Senna won his third, and last championship title, in 1991.

Two more showrooms are planned for this autumn – in Frankfurt and Munich.

McLaren's First Showroom in Germany Outside

Source: McLaren

July 21, 2011

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Price – £310 000

The price of the new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is £310 000. The manufacturer will build just 20 units, which will race for teams in 2012.

At a press conference held at the McLaren Technology Centre, senior McLaren GT executives revealed to the world’s media and a group of prospective 12C GT3 clients the price and development programme details of the first non-Formula 1 race car built by McLaren since the McLaren F1 GTR.

“Having been a customer of GT car manufacturers for many years, I’m delighted we are now able to offer a carbon chassis based GT3 car for £310,000. There will be no hidden costs and we will work as hard as we can to support as many races as we can.”, commented Andrew Kirkaldy, CRS Racing Team Principal and Project Manager for McLaren GT

“We will spend the 2011 season developing the car with a team from McLaren Racing, McLaren Applied Technologies and McLaren Automotive and make sure this is the most efficient, reliable and easy to drive GT3 car on the grid when we deliver cars to customers next year.”, he added.

“The new MP4-12C sports car is the essence of a race car and we used Formula 1 simulation technology to get us ahead in our development programme. We have a unique mix of experience in the McLaren GT team and I expect the 12C GT3 to be the start of our GT racing plans. We have had great success outside of Formula 1, from the US, to France, to Japan and there is no reason why we can’t repeat that success in sports cars after 2012.”, said Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Conference

Source: McLaren

May 5, 2011

McLaren MP4-12C GT3: full details

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 will be the first car from the manufacturer built for FIA GT series racing since the famous McLaren F1 GTR. The iconic F1 finished production in1997. 12C GT3 is based on the new MP4-12C, which is one of the best super sports cars in the world.

“McLaren has racing in its blood and it was a natural step to take our MP4-12C road car and turn it into the most reliable, efficient and easy to drive GT3 car. Every car on the grid will have its performance balanced by race rules, meaning our objective must be to select a technical specification that ensures any driver is able to access the 12C GT3’s performance limit with ease.”, commented Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group Chief Executive Officer.

The 12C GT3 made its race debut at the UK circuit – Silverstone. Just a week after, the car was sent to the Circuito de Navarra in Spain for its first FIA circuit test. In simulated tests, McLaren GT was able to fine-tune engine calibration, power steering, spring rates, weight distribution, gear ratios and differential settings.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 comes with a new aerodynamics package, which is made entirely from carbon fibre. It is specially created by McLaren Racing in compliance with GT3 regulations. The body kit includes – a new front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffuser and louvres in the front fenders.

MP4-12C GT3 has the same 3.8-litre McLaren V8 twin-turbo M838T engine as the road car, but it will be de-tuned to 500PS (from 600PS) in order to provide optimum power for this performance-balanced race car. The car also includes the TAG-400 Engine Control Unit, which is a compact, self-contained engine management system and data logger for race engines designed and built by McLaren Electronic Systems.

Other very important features are the unique engine calibration, bespoke racing transmission developed in partnership with Ricardo and a suspension arrangement tuned specifically for racing.

Check out the specification, below!

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Technical Specification:

Width (mm)	1995mm
Height (mm)	1145mm
Wheelbase (mm)	2670mm
Fuel tank capacity	120 litres
Chassis/body	McLaren carbon fibre MonoCell with aluminium front and rear frames and bespoke carbon body panels
Aerodynamics	Front and rear diffuser, front splitter, dive planes and adjustable rear wing.
Transmission	6 speed sequential using actuation via steering wheel mounted paddles Limited slip differential with a range of ramps and adjustable pre-load. Wet sump Sintered clutch hydraulically operated Driveshafts with tripod joints
Engine type	V8 twin turbo McLaren M838T
Engine capacity	3.8L
Bore x Stroke	93 x 69.9
Max. Engine speed	Limited to 7500rpm
Cylinder block	Cast aluminium , 90 deg V angle, dry sump scavenge, Nikasil coated liners
Crankshaft	Forged steel flat plane
Pistons	Forged aluminium
Conrods	Forged steel
Cylinder head	Cast aluminium with plastic composite cam covers, inlet & exhaust variable cam timing
Valvetrain	32V with 40 deg variable cam timing on intake & exhaust. Low mass with sliding contact end pivoted pinger followers, single variable rate springs and hollow cast chilled iron camshafts
Intake system	Two water/air charge air coolers. Plastic composite plenum.
Exhaust system	Cast stainless steel exhaust manifold with compact MHI fixed geometry turbo chargers. 970 deg C turbine inlet temperature.
Fuel system	Returnless fuel rail with twin fuel tank mounted pumps and twin spray injectors
Engine management	MESL TAG400 ECU & CIU 100 Interfacing with Bosch ABS and Shiftec control units
Wiring harness	Modular installation: Engine, chassis, fuel cell
Lubrication	MOBIL1: engine and transmission
Cooling	Air/water heat exchangers for engine water and charge air cooling combined with water/oil heat exchangers for engine, transmission & PAS.
Front axle	SKF integrated axles with handed single wheel retaining nut
Rear axle	SKF integrated axles with handed single wheel retaining nut
Front suspension	Double wishbone adjustable for ride height camber and toe
Rear suspension	Double wishbone adjustable for ride height camber and toe
Dampers	Coil over Multimatic dampers with DSSV technology with independent bump and rebound adjustment
Front brake system	Akebono 6 piston monoblock calliper 378Ø x 36mm Iron ventilated disc
Rear brake system	Akebono 4 piston monoblock calliper 355Ø x 32mm iron ventilated disc
Steering	Electro-hydraulic PAS
Wheels	Forged Aluminium Front 12” x 18” Rear 13” x 18” MESL TPS system compatible
Cockpit electronics	Multifunction steering wheel with integrated driver display Central switch panel with systems display screen
Steering wheel	Derived from MP4-24 Formula 1 wheel retaining integrated driver display, paddle shift and switches

Source: McLaren

May 4, 2011

McLaren MP4-12C priced for Europe

McLaren priced the perfect road machine MP4-12C from £168 500 (including 20% VAT) when it goes on sale in the UK in 2011.

The car is just £1045 cheaper than Ferrari 458 Italia. Probably, this is the main reason why McLaren MP4-12C has already received over 2 700 pre-orders.

MP4-12C is powered by features a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine 608PS (447 kW) and 599Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed “Seamless Shift” double-clutch transmission (more…)

November 24, 2010

Tag: 12C