McLaren 12C GT3 – Automobiles Review

McLaren Reveals Specifications of 2013 12C GT3

2013 McLaren 12C GT3 will compete in this years season and will continue to be raced by all active GT teams who competed in last year. In addition to this, several new teams have now taken delivery of the 2013 model.

Furthermore the specifications of the new McLaren have already been disclosed and show that there will be number of changes, all of which designed to improve drivability, reliability and efficiency, coupled with reduced complexity.

Some of the changes feature a revised aerodynamics package, an upgraded ECU with a revised electrical system and alternative dampers. What is more, the 12C GT3 will also benefit from an updated cooling system which maximizes the performance of the car in the more varied conditions found in global championships.

There are also evident transformations on the bonnet and ducting, which now ensure that the 12C GT3 can run competitively in higher temperatures. Additionally, the revised aerodynamic package will enhance the balance and the tyre management of the vehicle.

2013 McLaren 12C GT3 technical specifications:

Chassis/Body

McLaren carbon fibre MonoCell with aluminium front and rear sub-frames
Bespoke lightweight carbon fibre body panels
Left hand drive
FIA approved safety roll cage

Aerodynamics

Front splitter
Rear wing, fully adjustable with gurney
Front and rear diffusers

Engine/Management

Race prepared 3.8L V8 twin turbo McLaren M838T
McLaren Electronics ECU interfacing with Bosch ABS and Shiftec transmission control units

Transmission

Six-speed sequential motorsport transmission pneumatically actuated via steering wheel mounted paddles

Electrical System

Lightweight motorsport specification wiring and connectors
Electronic power management system
Membrane type switch panel

Data System

McLaren Electronics ‘ATLAS’ data system
Digital dash display

Front/Rear Suspension

Double wishbone adjustable for ride height, camber and toe
Four-way adjustable dampers with coil over springs
Motorsport axles with single wheel retaining nut
Adjustable anti-roll bars
Forged aluminium wheels: Front 12” x 18”, Rear 13” x 18”

Steering

Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering
Unique McLaren GT steering wheel developed from MP4-24 Formula 1 steering wheel

Fuel System

Motorsport ‘bag tank’ system with 120L capacity
Motorsport ‘quick-fill’ system

Lubrication

Mobil engine and transmission lubrication

Brake System

Akebono monoblock calipers with ventilated discs:
- Front – 6 piston caliper, 378Ø x 36mm disc
- Rear – 4 piston caliper, 355Ø x 32mm disc
Bosch motorsport ABS

httpv://youtu.be/72jgg4BqYsY

Video Source: YouTube

Source: McLaren

January 18, 2013

McLaren 12C GT3s set for Total 24 Hours of Spa [VIDEO]

McLaren-12C-GT3-T Nine supercars carrying the brand McLaren will compete at the famous Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps next weekend. The examples at the most demanding events on the motorsport calendar will be exactly the astonishing McLaren 12C GT3.

In fact, the Spa 24-hour is unlike any other GT race. First of all it is more than spectacular. Secondly, the race track is incredibly challenging. This means that the circuit, the efficiency and reliability, as well as being able to react to the often changeable track conditions will be of utmost importance to all competitors.

McLaren revealed that they have put a lot of attention and effort to test and prepare for this great event. Hence, they are also expecting great results and eventually we are to witness them.

In the event, we are to see the 12C GT3s on track. They “come” from six distinctive liveries of McLaren GT customer teams. Chris Goodwin will be part of the driver line-up in one of Von Ryan Racing’s two 12C GT3s.

McLaren-12C-GT3-644 — McLaren 12C GT3 at the Total 24 Hours of Spa

Furthermore, the French ART Grand Prix team, will line up alongside Portuguese team ASM, with patriotic livery featuring green and red accents. The Lapidus Racing car on the other hand will be finished in white and McLaren Orange.

Belgium’s Boutsen-Ginion Racing team will compete with two cars, which both were finished in a striking black and orange design. Gulf Racing completes the McLaren line-up with two cars wearing the famous blue and orange livery.

Few days ahead of the race, a high-quality short film has been produced, which you can view below. In it you will see the driver Rob Bell previewing the challenging 4.35 mile (7.004km) Spa-Francorchamps circuit. He will reveal what kind of challenges are facing the teams and what it is that makes the 24 hours of Spa so appealing.

httpv://youtu.be/WyT9gyscshQ

Source: McLaren

July 24, 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

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

Tag: McLaren 12C GT3

McLaren Reveals Specifications of 2013 12C GT3

McLaren 12C GT3s set for Total 24 Hours of Spa [VIDEO]

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

McLaren MP4-12C GT3: full details