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 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
Gemballa has introduced the Gemballa GT based on the McLaren MP4-12C at the Geneva Motor Show.
Mansory has introduced the customised McLaren MP4-12C, which received both styling and performance modifications.
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.
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 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.
McLaren MP4-12C is may be the most eagerly expected car in the world. It will be presented for the first time to a public audience at Goodwood Festival of Speed. The event takes place from Thursday 1- Sunday 4 July 2010.