REPORT: McLaren MP4-12C U.S. launch delayed, not coming to LA Auto Show *UPDATE*
McLaren MPC-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to InsideLine, McLaren is having issues setting up distribution in the U.S., resulting in a delay of the MP4-12C's Stateside launch and its plans to show its newest supercar at the LA Auto Show this December.
Late last month, McLaren appointed Anthony Joseph, former regional manager for Porsche, Ferrari and Maserati, to setup the automaker's dealer network in the U.S., but over the course of the last few weeks McLaren has apparently hit a few roadblocks and it's expected that the creation of retail outlets will be delayed until sometime next year. With the economy in its current state, that may be a blessing in disguise, but that does little to stave off our desire to see the MP4-12C on the show stand.
UPDATE: McLaren responded to Inside Line that the MP4-12C has not been delayed and the decision to not debut the car at the LA Auto Show was made because it was considered too early based on the car's 2011 launch date.
Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C
[Source: InsideLine]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
This Man. 4:43PM (10/30/2009)
Funny how a company like Tesla can get outlets across the country, and even a few in Canada, as an unheard of electric car company, yet McLaren, with the history of having the worlds fastest Production Road Car for almost ten years can't even setup a decent set of retailers nationwide.
I'm sorry that I just don't get it - But I'm willing to bet that the whole "electric" word might have something to do with it.
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RG 4:50PM (10/30/2009)
Tesla is also an American company, which I am sure makes setting up a network that much easier.
Yaroukh 4:56PM (10/30/2009)
And haven't Tesla got a loan from DOE?
BoxerFanatic 4:46PM (10/30/2009)
US launch...
They are probably skittish about the tanking of the US dollar or something...
That is ok. it is still a kickin' car. I just want to see lots of pictures in lots of different colors.
That turning vane in the side intake would look cool in a contrasting or tone-on-tone color.
The only other thing cool would be a transparent roof panel between the windshield and engine cover.
I haven't been this impressed by a mid-engined twin turbo V8 since 288 GTO/F40.
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Evan 4:48PM (10/30/2009)
Why is it named the McLaren MP4-12C. Wouldn't naming it the McLaren MP4-13C in honor of their 1998 MP4/13 F1 champ car have been more appropriate ?
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rombick 4:54PM (10/30/2009)
Maybe they're planning on making another more powerful and faster car in future that will have the mp4-13c name...
BoxerFanatic 4:57PM (10/30/2009)
MP4 is a prefix that ALL of their cars supposedly get.
12 is an internal McLaren Proprietary rating system score, on the car's dynamics.
C is in deference to the Carbon-fiber structural construction.
I wish they had given it a name, or something that makes it easier to refer to...
LoneWolf 6:13PM (10/30/2009)
Yeah, what was bad about giving cars real names instead of DTS, SC400, MKZ, MC12 etc...
Clavius 5:01PM (10/30/2009)
Kinda curious as to what is the hold up. Be it people want to much money from them to set up shop or that they can't find the right "prime" realestate.
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greenchile505 5:22PM (10/30/2009)
That thing looks like a cross between a Ferrari 458 and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Hardly worthy of following "worlds fastest Production Road Car", which someone mentioned.
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BoxerFanatic 5:34PM (10/30/2009)
It isn't an F1 successor.
It is a competitor to the F458, and looks more cohesive, and clean than that.
It is also a twin-turbo sub-4 liter V8, with rear-central mounted radiators, to keep the cooling system smaller, and lighter...
It has fantastic interior systems, sophisticated, but pared down to be un-obtrusive, and intuitive to operate.
Frankly it looks as good as any other car in it's segment on longer evaluation than just a first glance, short maybe to the Audi R8. With some Dymag or BBS wheels (stock wheel design is a bit pedestrian for such a car), it would look simply fantastic.
Stumpy 6:02PM (10/30/2009)
So glad to hear it is delayed. Gives me more time to save up for one.
Sooo... around 2102 I should have enough cash to buy it.
..
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Mike7 6:12PM (10/30/2009)
Dear McLaren,
Palm Beach Lincoln Mercury has just been bought out and relocated. They had a reasonably sizable location that is located directly next to the new Lamborghini Palm Beach and not too far from Palm Beach Motorcars Aston Martin/Lotus and the upcoming Palm Beach Ferrari dealer. Given its popularity in attracting dealers for such prestigious marques, this would seem a prime location for a new McLaren dealership in sunny South Florida.
Best regards,
Mike
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by chance 6:13PM (10/30/2009)
A bad copy of a Ferrari.
Mc Laren can't even copy well.
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BoxerFanatic 7:05PM (10/30/2009)
It can't be a bad copy, if it isn't a copy at all. A "bad copy" that happens to look like a good car on it's own merit... means that it isn't a copy.
Ferrari hasn't had big side scoops since the Testarossa/512, which this is in no way a copy of. Even the air management vanes are different direction, the TR had horizontal combs.
This has much more flowing and natural lines than the 458 Italia, and looks better than that mis-fitting-panel abomination. and I LIKE Ferraris most of the time, and I did like the 430. The MC4-12C doesn't look like a 430, either.
As I said... Ferrari hasn't had a sub-4-liter V8 with twin turbos since the F40, and the 288 GTO before that. Even those looked different than this...
Unless you think all mid engined cars look alike, and then you undermine your ability to specifically critique what is a copy of what.
Mike7 7:14PM (10/30/2009)
Some of the details might seem similar to the F430 because Ferrari's previous designer, Frank Stephenson, now works for McLaren.
cyde01 6:53PM (10/30/2009)
i live in LA and i am BUMMED :(
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bgkeen 7:10PM (10/30/2009)
IMO this car is relatively boring looking. Nothing really stands out. The interior is kind of lacking as well.
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Jo Schmoe 8:50PM (10/30/2009)
I actually like the exterior design of this car, but agree that the interior looks like it came out of a Lotus Elise. I wonder if they charge more for less?
Can't wait to see how this car performs, but for now, it's apparent that we have many badge whores among us.
The Hit 3:42PM (11/01/2009)
Function over form, keen.....function over form....