McLaren MP4 – Automobiles Review

Vorsteiner McLaren MP4-VX In Miami

Vorsteiner McLaren MP4-VX is an extreme and breath-taking tuning which we have already seen. However, the tuning brand has surprised us with the release of brand new photosession for the sporty McLaren that was exclusively taken in of world’s famous cities – Miami.

Of course, you will find the outspoken images below the post and enjoy seeing this supersports car being captured in front of the U.S. city. Just as a reminder, Vorsteiner have equipped the MP4 with a new front bumper with integrated spoiler, which enhances the aerodynamics of the front end.

The pieces were created to keep functionality without the compromise quality, aesthetics, or performance. In fact, the styling of these components takes the MP4-12C a step closer to race car. There are also two available options being offered: the Carbon Fiber Aero Front Spoiler Replacement and the PDC Sensor Opening.

Side sill extension blades were also added that were made of Autoclaved Pre-Preg Carbon Fiber structure in order to give them better stiffness, aerospace strength and durability. Additionally as an available feature there are the 2×2 Carbon Fiber Pre-Preg with 4 Stage UV Inhibiting Clear Lacquer Coating.

At last, the rear bumper of the vehicle comes with newly designed diffuser. This element was engineered to stabilize the additional down force provided by the front and side elements. Other available options here are the PDC Sensor Opening, European License Plate Bracket Holder, Rear Diffuser with Dual Tunnels Replacement.

Source: Vorsteiner

October 14, 2013

Vorsteiner McLaren MP4-VX Revealed [VIDEO]

The latest tuning project by Vorsteiner is on the exceptional McLaren MP4. It has been teased in the beginning of June and it now takes full manifestation. In order to stay true to the iconic design of McLaren, the tuners kept as many of the MP4 body lines.

Nevertheless, they enhanced the original design and gave the car more edgy and aggressive appearance. Furthermore, they also paid attention to vehicle’s everyday driveability and functionality of each body part, thus optimizing the ground clearance of this supersports car while at the same time enhancing the overall aerodynamics and appearance.

In addition Vorsteiner McLaren MP4-VX is also equipped with one-piece aluminum forged wheel, which were specifically engineered for the weight of the car. This helped in terms of weight savings because they could be maximized during the CNC milling process without any compromises in safety.

To be more precise, the vehicle is fitted with wheels in size of 20x9J and 21x12J for the front and the rear respectively, and matched with tires in dimensions 245/25/20 and 325/30/21.

Vorsteiner’s MP4-VX program is comprised of Carbon Fiber Front Bumper with dual air duct system and side ventilation louvers, Carbon Fiber Add-On Front Spoiler, Carbon Fiber Rear Bumper with dual ventilation louvers and central vent opening, Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser with integrated Dual Diffuser Tunnels, Four Piece Carbon Fiber Side Skirt blade with floating front fin element.

To begin with the front of the car, one can see that it has a completely new nose made entirely of dry carbon fiber pre-preg autoclave technology. The front end is made of a full replacement bumper cover with redesigned air ducting system, side vent elements and a separate front spoiler. They serve in terms of enhancing the downforce.

However, the main visual highlights in this tuning are the replaced carbon fiber rear bumper cover and rear diffuser element. The optical carbon fiber rear bumper also includes two ventilation louvers on the side and one in the center, thus helping the heat dissipation from the engine and exhaust.

What is more, the new carbon and kevlar reinforced composite rear diffuser also has race inspired tunnels which additionally improve the airflow and keep the rear end planted against the road surface.

At last, Vorsteiner McLaren MP4-VX has received improved airflow dynamics with four-piece carbon fiber side blade elements. This results in the lower and more aggressive stance of the vehicle, while at the same time it also improves the downforce at high speeds.

httpv://youtu.be/M4MlU4k8xnI

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Vorsteiner

August 23, 2013

Teaser: DMC McLaren MP4 Velocita

The latest creation of the luxury tuner DMC is called DMC McLaren MP4 Velocita. It hasn’t been revealed fully yet, but instead the tuning team decided to tease our sense by releasing these new images.

We can’t conclude much from the photo, but what we can see is that this McLaren is definitely going to have more aggressive stance than its other siblings. Given that there are re-designed front-grill and front lip, presumably there will be a whole body package.

Having in mind the work of the luxury tuner, we’re also certain to see side skirts, rear diffuser and an aggressive wing on the MP4 package as well. In addition, there will be also a rear spoiler with a “ground braking new design”.

Source: DMC

February 14, 2013

McLaren MP4-12C Spider – the next high performance sports car [Video]

McLaren MP4-12C Spider will open next chapter in the story of the automotive world. Almost a year after the appearance of the MP4-12C model and days after McLaren announced that the model is going to get some significant upgrades, they have just revealed their new high performance sports car – McLaren MP4-12C Spider.

The Spider will bring ore versatility to the range with its open top. In addition it will be powered by the astonishing twin-turbo V8-engine which will deliver an experience of 625 horsepower (460 kW), to everyone riding this open roofed 12C Spider.

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.

Nevertheless, the open top is going to dial up the sensations experienced, the emotions felt and the noise heard. Can you already imagine it?

More information around this new exciting McLaren is going to be revealed in the next few days.

In the video below Jenson Button (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Racing driver) speaks about the connection he feels with the machine he drives and about what he senses when driving a 300 km/h open top car.

httpv://youtu.be/TRNjLjlaeNc

Source: McLaren

June 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

Hamann memoR McLaren MP4-12C at Geneva

Apparently, upon the release of the McLaren MP4-12C back in 2011, there had been an outcry of discontent about its looks from the public. Visually, it hadn’t been able to live up to its power and performance they say. Deemed too bland and “evoraesque”? Well to those who feel under the weather when looking at a standard MP4-12C, there is a solution – It’s the memoR by Hamann which is currently making its debut within the halls of the 82^nd Geneva Motor Show.

Roughly speaking, the memoR is a stylistically buffed MP4-12C. No performance upgrades, no chassis fiddling and no 20 or something inch tv’s inside. It’s simply with added “uniqueness” now, according to Hamann.

The main inspiration for the restyle was drawn from the 1995 LeMans winner, the McLaren F1 GTR. Obviously, they didn’t manage to put the driver’s seat back at the center of the cabin but were nevertheless on to something. Four ideas were tossed around when the people at Hamann got to work.

1 Reduce the concave surfaces.

2 Integrate the defining F1 bits and pieces.

3 Add some GT3 elements as well.

4 Create an exciting contrast shade.

By “concave surfaces”, Hamann mean the border of the front air intakes, the cross section of the hood, the rear side panel and the sill area. All of them have been removed. Now we have a large front splitter, an air scoop at the roof, deep drawn door sills a rear wing and a diffuser. Three centered tailpipes finish the look… and the massive wheel arches with the wheels underneath. They too finish it off. Hopefully now nobody will complain about it. All points have been covered.

Source: Hamann

March 10, 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

2012 F1 Season – McLaren MP4-27

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has unveiled the new Mp4-27 ahead of the 2012 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The Formula 1 car was presented at the McLaren Technology Centre.

Maintaining the belief in the validity of strengthened continuity, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is the only team in Formula 1 whose driver line-up consists of two world champions: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. Between them, they have scored 22 grand prix victories for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and are the strongest and most consistent driver line-up in the sport. Maintaining the partnership into a third successive season was merely a formality.

While the all-new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-27 closely resembles last year’s multiple race-winning car, the 2012 chassis has been substantially revised from the ground-up, with all major systems updated or re-designed for the new season. The most evident visual differences include more tightly waisted rear bodywork, developed to improve flow to the rear of the car, and a revised cooling system, which re-directs the gearbox oil-cooler. Last year’s U-shaped sidepods have also been re-designed – a legacy of the FIA’s new exhaust regulations that redefine the shape of the rear bodywork.

On the technical front, our exemplary engineering trio Tim Goss (director of engineering), Paddy Lowe (technical director) and Neil Oatley (director of design and development programmes) once more remain at the forefront of the drawing office. For 2012, they will be joined by sporting director Sam Michael, whose arrival coincides with the re-organisation of our trackside personnel roster to ensure both growth and development within the group.

Check out the technical specification below!

2012 F1 Season - McLaren MP4-27 — 2012 F1 Season – McLaren MP4-27

MP4-27 technical specification:

Chassis – Monocoque McLaren-moulded carbonfibre composite incorporating front and side impact structures
Front suspension – Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Rear suspension – Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pullrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Electronics – McLaren Electronic Systems. Including chassis control, engine control, data acquisition, dashboard, alternator, sensors, data analysis and telemetry.
Bodywork – Carbon-fibre composite. Separate engine cover, sidepods and floor. Structural nose with integral front wing, Driver-operated drag reduction system
Tyres – Pirelli P Zero
Radio – Kenwood
Race wheels – Enkei
Brake callipers – Akebono
Master cylinders – Akebono
Batteries – GS Yuasa Corporation
Steering – McLaren power-assisted
Instruments – McLaren Electronic Systems
Paint solutions – AkzoNobel Car Refinishes using Sikkens products

Engine

Type – Mercedes-Benz FO 108Z
Capacity – 2.4 litres
Cylinders – 8
Maximum rpm – 18 000
Bank angle – 90°
Piston bore maximum – 98mm
Number of valves – 32
Fuel – ExxonMobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
Spark plugs – NGK racing spark plugs specially designed for Formula 1
Lubricants – Mobil 1 – combining greater performance, protection and cooling with increased economy and lower emissions
Weight – 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)

KERS Hybrid

Type – Mercedes-Benz
e-Motor Engine-mounted electrical motor/generator
ESS Integrated energy storage cells and power electronics
Power – 60 kW

Transmission

Gearbox – McLaren-moulded carbon-fibre composite
Integral rear impact structure
Gears – Seven forward and one reverse
Gear selection – McLaren seamless shift, hand-operated
Clutch – Carbon/carbon, hand-operated
Lubricants – Mobil

Source: McLaren

February 1, 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

Tag: McLaren MP4