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Report: McLaren to launch 2+2 version of MP4-12C supercar?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:31:00 EST

McLaren MP4-12C (above) and McLaren F1 (top) - Click above for high-res image gallery

The McLaren MP4-12C has barely hit the market yet, and already reports are surfacing of new variants. Last year we were already seeing reports of a convertible version in the works. Then reports of a potential privateer racing model trickled out a few months later. Now, word from across the pond is that McLaren Automotive is planning on squeezing an extra couple of seats into the MP4-12C to make it a proper 2+2.

With an enlarged cabin, the 2+2 would be the first four-seater to roll out of Woking - most of their chassis, after all, are single-seaters - but it wouldn't be the first McLaren with more than two seats: The famous McLaren F1 supercar featured a unique 1+2 configuration with a central driving position, a setup McLaren abandoned for the MP4. With the 2+2 version, it looks like at least one of your dates will have to sit in the back. Good luck smoothing that one over there, slick.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C

[Source: Auto Bild - translated]

Report: McLaren to launch 2+2 version of MP4-12C supercar? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: McLaren MP4-12C U.S. launch delayed, not coming to LA Auto Show UPDATE

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance

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]

REPORT: McLaren MP4-12C U.S. launch delayed, not coming to LA Auto Show *UPDATE* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Along Came a Spyder: McLaren MP4-12C production plans include retractable hardtop?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, UK, Rumormill

McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Reports emerging from the UK are giving us a hint at what to expect in the near future from McLaren Automotive in its bid to make an assault on the exotic supercar market. The reports stem from plans filed by the F1 team's nascent road car division and its new manufacturing facility next to the current McLaren Technology Center in Woking, England.

According to Autocar, part of the layout for the new facility has been dedicated to "RHT Sub Assembly", indicating that McLaren could be preparing to produce a retractable hardtop version of the new MP4-12C. While the notion of fitting a lightweight supercar with a heavy folding roof mechanism may seem antithetical to its ethos, Ferrari made huge advances with the roof on the California, and McLaren will be looking to show up its chief rival. Insiders suggest the McLaren's folding roof could be made of either aluminum alloy or possibly carbon fiber.

The overall timeline for production, however, suggests that McLaren may have to begin producing the MP4 where the outgoing SLR has been assembled in its current facility. McLaren has ambitious plans for a new factory adjacent to its existing headquarters, but with delivery of the first new supercars scheduled for November, the new underground facility isn't likely to be ready in time.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C

[Source: Autocar]

Along Came a Spyder: McLaren MP4-12C production plans include retractable hardtop? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: McLaren MP4-12C is ready for its close up

Noah Joseph — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery

For those who've been anxiously awaiting the replacement of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, last night was a very big night indeed. Not only did the new Mercedes SLS AMG leak out, but McLaren itself released full details of its new MP4-12C. We ran the info as soon as we could gather it along with an initial batch of images, and now we're back with more for your viewing and desktop-plastering pleasure.

The design of McLaren's new supercar - its first independent road-car project since the legendary McLaren F1 - comes from the hand of one Frank Stephenson, the multi-national, American-educated designer responsible for the reborn Mini, BMW X5, Fiat 500 and countless Maseratis and Ferraris. His design of the MP4-12C is dominated by McLaren's tick logo, which figures large in the air vents all around the car as well as the LED lights. The shape is otherwise clean and streamlined, aided by the use of adaptive aerodynamics. The interior is accessed via signature McLaren forward-upward hinged doors, and though lamentably without the 1+2 configuration made famous by its precursor, envelops the driver and passenger in thin, molded bucket seats. The dashboard is dominated by a 7-inch multimedia display, and the Pre-Cog gear system is operated via paddles mounted on a rocker, allowing up and downshifts to be affected from either side, just like in McLaren's championship-winning grand prix cars. Check it all out in the high-resolution image gallery below, and stay tuned for video footage to follow shortly.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C

[Source: McLaren]

Pics Aplenty: McLaren MP4-12C is ready for its close up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren MP4-12C: First batch of details and images surface

Noah Joseph — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:39:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, MISC

McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for an image gallery

Today's a big day for McLaren. After ambitiously launching its own separate automotive division to follow in the footsteps of arch-rival Ferrari, the British race engineering firm has finally released its long-anticipated new supercar. Called the MP4-12C, it's been developed entirely in-house, and features the latest advances in automotive technology derived from the Formula 1 circuit.

Ooh, where to start? The MP4-12C is built around an extremely light and rigid carbon fiber tub. But rather than the heavier multi-piece tubs used by its competitors and predecessors, the MP4's is made from a single piece, weighing a spritely 176 pounds). The body panels are all carbon fiber and composites, making the new McLaren more expensive to build than its competitors and resulting in an expected £160,000 ($265k) price tag - higher than either the new Ferrari 458 Italia or the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, but lighter in weight, too.

Behind the tub sits a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine producing around 600 horsepower and 433 lb-ft of torque, offering what McLaren claims is the highest horsepower to CO2 ratio of any internal combustion engine on the market - gasoline, diesel or even hybrid. Contrary to earlier speculation that suggested Mercedes could continue furnishing its erstwhile partner with at least the engine blocks while producing its own SLS supercar and furnishing Pagani as well, McLaren says the unit was developed entirely in house. The bespoke mill features a flat-plane crank, dry sump and can rev up to 8,500 rpm, though 80% of the torque is said to be available from as low as 2,000 rpm. That ought to be good for a 0-60 time in the low threes and a 200+ mph top end.

While you might have expected carbon ceramic brakes to keep all that power and speed in check, McLaren says its conventional discs actually weigh less. They're aided by a Brake Steer system that brakes the inside rear wheel to combat understeer. But the real trick system is in the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, where Pre-Cog lets the driver load up the next gear by half-squeezing the paddle and then engaging with gunshot speed.

With the new MP4-12C, McLaren's betting the economy will bounce back soon. It's planning on building 1000 units in 2011, a quarter of which will go each to the domestic UK market and over here to the United States. The C designation also suggests that they're planning a roadster version to join the coupe. But for now, we'll just enjoy this first batch of images in the gallery below and peruse the lengthy press release after the jump.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C first shots

[Source: McLaren via CAR Magazine]

Continue reading McLaren MP4-12C: First batch of details and images surface

McLaren MP4-12C: First batch of details and images surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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