Autoblog

First Drive: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, First Drives, MISC

Could This Be The Best Performance Car In The World Today?

2012 McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Let's see now. You've got your Ferrari 458 Italia, your Porsche 911 GT2 RS and 911 Turbo S and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera 570-4. After all, if we're setting the scene properly on the most important supersports car inauguration in quite some time - the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C - we should, in this first privileged go, at least be keeping our minds on sub-12-cylinder mid- and rear-engine road beasts. For now, that is. So if anyone brings up the 2012 Nissan GT-R or Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, that'll be us snapping your back side with a wet towel at the health club. You've been warned.

Before we've dropped into the Recaro support-o-rama seats of the MP4-12C, one of the Queen's lairds of the realm announces, "Be prepared to drive the best handling sports car in history." What do you say to Sir Ron Dennis, boss of the newly formed McLaren Automotive Company (a.k.a. the MAC daddy), when he puts pressure on like that? It's like Bill Gates looking at us and asking enthusiastically, "So, don't you just love that Windows 7?" What happens if you don't?

But as luck would have it, the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is quite possibly the best handling supersports road and weekend track car in history. Yes, this will certainly take some 'splainin', but bear with us. We're just pleased that no royal beheadings will now be called for, as Sir Ron is not renowned for his merciful treatment of dissenters.

Continue reading...

Gallery: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C: First Drive

Photos courtesy McLaren Automotive

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C

First Drive: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit puts an MP4-12C on the police force

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Porsche, Toys/Games

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit trailer - Click above to watch video after the jump

Halo Reach has already grabbed gobs of attention and Gran Turismo 5 is waiting to lure any remaining bloodshot eyeballs and fatigued thumbs away, but they're not the only new video games on the block. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit will have a playable demo available on October 26, and it hits store shelves November 16.

While you're waiting and deciding whether you want to play the part of a cop or speeder (and deciding whether to play the game on your Playstation 3, xBox 360 or PC), you can check out the latest trailer for it after the jump, wherein a McLaren MP4-12C in black and white is called on to apprehend a scofflaw in a Porsche 918 Spyder. Hat tip to Yaroukh!

[Source: YouTube via VG247]

Continue reading Video: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit puts an MP4-12C on the police force

Video: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit puts an MP4-12C on the police force originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: McLaren planning five new models over five years

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

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

When we sat down with Antony Sheriff in Pebble Beach, we bombarded McLaren's managing director with a raft of questions about the MP4-12C. Properly geeked on the Ferrari 458-fighter, we asked what else McLaren had planned in its quest to become a sort of full-line sports car purveyor.

Naturally, Sheriff remained mum, but we know based on earlier reports that three core models are in the works, with the MP4-12C out first, followed by either a F1 supercar successor or a Porsche 911 competitor.

Now word comes that McLaren is planning to release one new product each year for the next five years, and it's likely to be a mix of MP4-12C variants and all-new models. It's safe to assume that wealthy privateers are champing at the bit for a club-racing version of the 12C and that would mean a dedicated racer (can you say long-tail?) couldn't be too far off.

Gallery: Getting Intimate with the McLaren MP4-12C

[Source: AutoGuide]

Report: McLaren planning five new models over five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mac is Back: Getting intimate with the McLaren MP4-12C

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

An interview and walkaround with McLaren's Antony Sheriff

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

It takes a lot to stand out during Monterey Car Week, yet one vehicle that came up in nearly every conversation was the McLaren MP4-12C. Making its first appearance since debuting at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, the MP4-12C was trotted out for prospective buyers and champagne-slurping journalists adjacent to Pebble Beach's photogenic 18th hole so those of us in the States could finally see what the fuss is about.

If you're not already up on the stats, here's the pertinent information: The MP4-12C packs a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 mounted amidships, with 600 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque delivered to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. And this isn't an off-the-shelf drivetrain from another automaker - the entire car, from the engine to the window controls has been developed in-house. The result is a 2,800-pound exotic that - on paper - has the potential to rule the segment.

We spent nearly two hours poking and prodding the 12C, all while interviewing McLaren's Managing Director, Antony Sheriff. He answered our questions, laughed at our stupid jokes and came equipped with an encyclopedic knowledge of nearly every facet of McLaren's new baby.

But more than the power and the looks, it's the 12C's overall concept and execution that stuck with us. Rather than go with an aluminum spaceframe, McLaren opted for a carbon fiber monocoque weighing a mere 176 pounds. An aluminum structure is mounted fore and aft, and the body work is simply draped over the structure to aid aerodynamics. Nobody does this. (And we now want a bare chassis to mount on our wall).

Get inside and it's obvious that the act of driving is the sole focus. The seats are molded to the individual buyer's body, the steering wheel is infinitely adjustable, the tachometer sits front and center with two configurable displays flanking it. The paddle shifters work like a camera shutter switch: hold the downshift paddle halfway, the gearbox recognizes you're about to select the next gear, dials it up and as soon as you pull back past the detent, it engages. And the headroom. We wouldn't be surprised if the McLaren had more of the stuff than a Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Other interesting tidbits: You can option the 12C with a three-camera video recording system to document your on-track antics. Carbon composite brakes are optional, but unless you're heading to the track every weekend, the steel units are said to stop the 12C in the same distance (and don't squeal). Three wheel options are available - forged, lightweight forged or ultra-lightweight - the latter of which came into being after McLaren execs told the engineering team to just design the lightest wheel possible - they didn't care what it looked like. We saw them on the concept car lawn at Pebble and the ten-spoke design looks fantastic.

There's much more, but we'll let our interview with Sheriff take it from here. And if you're interested, McLaren plans to make a total of 1,000 MP4-12Cs next year, with sales in the U.S. beginning in August. McLaren hasn't announced pricing, but we expect something in the $250,000 range. Hit the jump for the interview and check out our two high-res galleries below.

Gallery: Getting Intimate with the McLaren MP4-12C

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C Bare Chassis

Continue reading The Mac is Back: Getting intimate with the McLaren MP4-12C

The Mac is Back: Getting intimate with the McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2010: McLaren MP4-12C makes North American debut, ushers in new McLaren order

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:47:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

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

With a burst of light and a swoosh of its car cover, the McLaren MP4-12C made its North American debut this evening in Pebble Beach. Gooding auctions unveiled the new supercar at its preview reception, the same locale that has seen the debuts of other significant vehicles from the past few years - namely the Rolls-Royce Hyperion and the Pininfarina P4/5. But tonight McLaren was definitely the star of the show. Besides giving Americans their first glimpse of its latest model, McLaren also talked a bit about the new company they are introducing to build and sell not just the MP4-12C, but a whole range of road vehicles.

This isn't like the way things were done with the F1, where it was basically a special project inside the technical and racing operations...no, it's a whole new passenger car company that will have an assortment of vehicles apparently. In fact, McLaren Automotive has already announced the list of 35 cities that will be hosting McLaren dealerships, and the rumor mill is in full swing telling us that a successor to the big-daddy F1 is in the cards for as early as 2012. The last bit of info we gleened from the presentation was that they seemed to talk a lot about their winning history in both Formula 1 and sports car racing and how they love to win. Perhaps a not-so-subtle hint that a racing version of the MP4-12C will be built? Makes sense to us. While we're waiting for spy shots of that project, do yourself a favor and check out the hot new McLaren in our gallery below.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C North American debut

Monterey 2010: McLaren MP4-12C makes North American debut, ushers in new McLaren order originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reader Submitted: Autoblog-themed Forza Motorsports McLaren MP4-12C and Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Zach Bowman — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Cadillac, Toys/Games, Design/Style

Autoblog livery for Forza Motorsport 3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

This. Is. Awesome. Autoblog reader Jason L. over at Second Method Graphic Design has been so kind as to share a couple of skins he's devised for both the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe and the McLaren MP4-12C in Forza Motorsports 3. Why do we care? Because these particular wraps are a tribute to a certain blog that obsessively covers the auto industry. Call us vain, but there's something cool about seeing our logo slathered all down the sides of two very lust worthy pieces of metal, even if they only live in the virtual realm.

Maybe we should talk to Cadillac about getting into a long-term tester with a similar theme. Something tells us that McLaren would be somewhat less receptive. Leder says that you can purchase either of the two designs through his Forza storefront for a nominal fee. The guy also has a slew of other very attractive liveries in case you don't feel like sporting your AB pride on your fenders. It's fine, we won't be offended. In fact, might we suggest The Simpsons-inspired Datsun 510 in Mr. Sparkle livery or the Ikea Saab 9-3?

Gallery: Autoblog Themed Skins for Forza Motorsports 3

[Source: Second Method]

Reader Submitted: Autoblog-themed Forza Motorsports McLaren MP4-12C and Cadillac CTS-V Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hamilton and Button take to the hill at Goodwood in the McLaren MP4-12C

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Luxury

McLaren MP4-12C is run up the hill at Goodwood - Click above to watch video after the jump

We've been talking about and looking at the McLaren MP4-12C for so long that it's hard to believe the general population is only seeing it this week, but that's indeed the case.

Ron Dennis' newest creation has finally showed its face, engine and prowess to the admiring eyes at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Not only that, it was driven up the hill by McLaren F1's World Championship-leading drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. The runs weren't timed, so everyone stays friends on this one, but there's still plenty of on-road action after the jump.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Hamilton and Button take to the hill at Goodwood in the McLaren MP4-12C

Video: Hamilton and Button take to the hill at Goodwood in the McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: McLaren F1 successor due in 2012

Zach Bowman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Rumormill, Luxury

McLaren F1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here's a juicy rumor for you: Autocar is reporting that McLaren will be introducing the successor to the incredible F1 supercar in 2012. If that seems a smidge early, it is. In its original plans, McLaren had said the new beast wouldn't surface until 2014 at the earliest, thanks largely to the company's efforts with the all-new MP4-12C. Instead, the Brits say that unnamed McLaren insiders have let it slip that the company is feverishly working on the new machine, going so far as to say that it will be "revolutionary" in both styling and performance. We would expect nothing less.

That's not to say we're swallowing the Autocar report hook, line and anonymous sinker. At this point, 2012 is a mere year and a half away, and while we have no doubt that the engineers at McLaren are slaving away on the successor to the F1 throne, that's just not enough time to bring a world class supercar into reality. So until someone from McLaren goes on the record with this one, we won't hold our breath for the world's next record breaker to hit the scene.

Gallery: McLaren F1 20th Anniversary

[Source: Autocar]

Report: McLaren F1 successor due in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Goodwood 2010 - Taking the hill

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Ford, Lexus, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Ferrari, UK, Racing

Porsche 908/3 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, 2010 - Click above to watch video after the jump

There are plenty of reasons to get excited about the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The annual shindig is a mecca for metal from all over the world - old and new. Motorsports events from across the go-fast spectrum make it onto the schedule and there's even plenty of auto-themed art to keep the masses entertained when they aren't huffing tire smoke. In a word, the event is bliss for anyone with even a passing interest in the automobile.

But the grand daddy of it all has to be the Hill Climb. At 1.16 miles, the course features nine turns, a looming stone wall and enough hay to feed all the cows in Wisconsin for a week. Last year brought out a rash of new high-dollar supercars, including the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Lexus LFA, and as a result, there were plenty of manufacturers on hand to show off their newest hardware. While we were lurking the grounds and looking at all the shiny conveyances, drivers were blasting across the grounds and recording their exploits. We've rounded up 10 of the best videos from the hill and arranged them in no particular order. Sure, some of them are more entertaining than others, but all of them are better than what you're doing at work, right? Hit the jump to get started.

Continue reading Video: Goodwood 2010 - Taking the hill

Video: Goodwood 2010 - Taking the hill originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren announces first six U.S. dealers for the MP4-12C

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:14:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising

McLaren dealer rendering - Click above for high-res image gallery

Six weeks after announcing the first 35 cities that would get dealers to sell the MP4-12C, McLaren Automotive has now released the names of the first six North American retailers. The first franchises are going to the Auto Gallery in Beverly Hills, CA, Park Place in Dallas, TX, Miller Motorcars in Greenwich, CT, Price Family Dealerships in San Francisco, CA, Lake Forest Sportscars of Chicago, IL and Dew Luxury Motor Cars in Tampa Bay, FL. In the coming months, McLaren also plans to assign dealers in Miami, Orange County, Philadelphia and Toronto.

McLaren expects to start deliveries of the MP4-12C about a year from now with a price tag starting at between $225,000 and $250,000. The company plans initial production volumes of 1,000 cars a year with volumes rising to 4,000 a year as it adds new models.

Despite the impressive specification of the 12C and McLaren's obvious pedigree, it will be interesting to see how well the company fares in the market, especially if the economy doesn't pick up significantly. Unlike Tesla which has struggled to find buyers beyond the early adopters, McLaren has a car that doesn't demand the same significant compromises as an EV and the company already knows how to build cars after doing the F1 and the Mercedes-Benz SLR. Time will tell and we look forward to how it will play out.

Gallery: McLaren Automotive dealer renderings

[Source: McLaren]

Continue reading McLaren announces first six U.S. dealers for the MP4-12C

McLaren announces first six U.S. dealers for the MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

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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McLaren Automotive names first 35 cities to get dealers

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising

McLaren dealer rendering - Click above for high-res image gallery

McLaren Automotive has announced the 35 cities where the MP4-12C will be available when it goes on sale next year. Dealers in the 19 countries on the list are still being evaluated and at least 23 of them will be named by McLaren prior to the public debut of the new sports car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

There are few surprises on the list of cities, with all of the usual suspects being represented including Paris, London, Los Angeles and Tokyo. As you'd expect, the Middle East is over represented with seven locations, including two in Saudi Arabia. The UK isn't left of the mix with one dealer each in Manchester and Birmingham, while those of us in the States will have to check out McLaren's newest supercar in Tampa, Florida. Over 500 dealers have applied for the first 35 outlets and McLaren expects some expansion in 2012. Of course, that's all dependent on demand, but with 2,500 prospects expressing interest in buying an MP4-12C so far, there could be a McLaren boom in the making.

Gallery: McLaren Automotive dealer renderings

[Source: McLaren]

Continue reading McLaren Automotive names first 35 cities to get dealers

McLaren Automotive names first 35 cities to get dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One fifth of all McLaren F1s head home for a party

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 08 May 2010 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: Performance

Since the McLaren F1 finished its GT competition career in the late 1990s, seeing more than one of them in any single location has become an increasingly rare event (unless you happen to be in the Sultan of Brunei's garage). Only about 100 McLaren F1s were ever built, with 64 of those being standard road-going editions.

The remaining cars included the five F1 LMs that commemorated the first Le Mans victory and the various GTR race cars and prototypes.

For the recent launch of the new MP4-12C sports car, McLaren invited current F1 owners (and their cars) to the factory in the Surrey suburb of Woking. Surprisingly, 21 F1s actually showed up, making it perhaps the largest-ever gathering of the model.

Thankfully, not all of the McLaren F1s are ensconced in museums. A number of them do get driven on a regular basis.

[Source: CarsUK.net]

One fifth of all McLaren F1s head home for a party originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 May 2010 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren boss calls Veyron "junk," claims Top Gear race with F1 staged

Noah Joseph — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Bugatti

Ron Dennis with the McLaren MP4-12C - Click above for high-res image gallery

When you've been responsible for as many Formula One World Championships and devastatingly fast supercars - including the new McLaren MP4-12C (pictured above) - as Ron Dennis, you're entitled to speak your mind... and for others to listen up. The executive chairman and part owner of the McLaren Group, Dennis has earned a reputation for his outspoken opinion, and this time directed his criticism toward the venerable Bugatti Veyron.

In a recent interview, Dennis characterized the Veyron as a "piece of junk" and "pig ugly". Why don't you tell us how you really feel, Ron?

The speed guru went on to allege that the race staged by Top Gear between the Veyron and McLaren's own venerable F1 supercar on the streets of Abu Dhabi was exactly that... staged. According to Dennis, the McLaren had the Bugatti handily beat on every run, and that the video footage was edited to make it seem like the Veyron was the quicker of the two. Check it out after the jump and decide for yourself.

[Source: Wheels24.co.za]

Continue reading McLaren boss calls Veyron "junk," claims Top Gear race with F1 staged

McLaren boss calls Veyron "junk," claims Top Gear race with F1 staged originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes racing chief reportedly attributes McLaren split to MP4-12C

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

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

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren used to be synonymous, both on the racing circuit with their Formula One collaboration as well as in the stratosphere of supercar-dom with the Mercedes SLR McLaren. But that's all in the history books now as the two outfits have gone their separate ways in both arenas.

For its part, Mercedes chose to go in-house with the SLS AMG, the effective successor to the SLR McLaren, while McLaren has developed the new MP4-12C supercar in-house as well, right down to the engine. Meanwhile Mercedes bought the Brawn GP team and is selling its stake in McLaren back to the team.

So why the split? According to Norbert Haug (pictured at right with Daimler chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche), the schism on both fronts came down to McLaren's desire to produce the MP4-12C independently. With all the factors that lead to the breakup, pinpointing that one specifically seems a little far-fetched to us, but as Mercedes' motorsport chief, we'd presume Haug knows what he's talking about.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C At Company Unveiling

[Source: Autocar]

Mercedes racing chief reportedly attributes McLaren split to MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren MP4-12C configurator goes online

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Luxury

McLaren MP4-12C configurator - Click above for high-res image gallery. Follow the jump for video

McLaren has pressed the "Start" button on another Internet time waster: its MP4-12C configurator is online and waiting to drain your imaginary Luxembourg account. There are 17 exterior colors, lots of carbon fiber bits, special brake calipers and tires, and a selection of varied cockpit mix-n-match options from which to choose.

McLaren F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button have already configured theirs, but of of course we prefer the Autoblog option. As if you needed more info, there's a press release after the jump as well as a video and pics below. When you're finished with all of that, you know what to do, work be damned.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C configurator

[Source: McLaren Automotive]

Continue reading McLaren MP4-12C configurator goes online

McLaren MP4-12C configurator goes online originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #171: McLarens, 500 EVs and Saabs, oh my!

Dan Roth — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Performance, Etc., Government/Legal, Acura, Ford, Saab, Fiat, Humor, Specialty, Electric, Luxury

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Chris, Sam and Dan convene for Autoblog Podcast #171. First up, as usual, is the Autoblog Garage, then we hit some news items.

News Items are the McLaren MP4-12C, JD Power's Vehicle Dependability study, the Fiat 500 EV, a study that links being green to meanness and Saab's return to production. Wrapping up, we answer some questions you've emailed in, and we're done in just over an hour.

Autoblog Podcast #171: McLarens, 500 EVs and Saabs, oh my!

In the Autoblog Garage:
Acura ZDX
Ford Fusion

News:
McLaren MP4-12C
JD Power Vehicle Dependability study
Fiat 500 EV
Being "green" makes you mean
Saab back up and running

Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid

Runtime: 1:09:11

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #171: McLarens, 500 EVs and Saabs, oh my! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gordon Murray shares his thoughts on the McLaren MP4-12C

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

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

Gordon Murray is perhaps the most innovative automotive engineer of the last several decades. He's never been afraid to try out offbeat ideas and more often then not, they've worked exceptionally well. Long before the Ariel Atom, Murray created the Rocket, built by the Light Car Company.

Murray's greatest creation, of course, was the McLaren F1. As with the Rocket and the T25 city car that he's currently working on, low mass was (and continues to be) a defining principle.

Following the official launch of McLaren Automotive and the MP4-12C a few days ago, Murray discussed the new car with AutoExpress. He's glad to see that in spite of recent trends toward heavier cars, McLaren was able to keep mass comparatively low on its new car. The MP4-12C is several hundred pounds heavier than the legendary F1, but it also contains a lot of safety equipment that wasn't in use when the earlier car was built.

Murray is also happy to see that McLaren employed some of the concepts that he worked on before he left the company, such as the carbon-fiber monocoque that was planned for a follow-up to the Mercedes-Benz SLR.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C

[Source: AutoExpress]

Gordon Murray shares his thoughts on the McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren MP4-12C performance stats have arrived

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:23:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance

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

If you read our deep dive on the McLaren MP4-12C, you're thoroughly up to speed on the automaker's latest foray into supercardom. However, something was missing. McLaren hadn't provided the rudimentary performance figures to keep bench racers and keyboard jockeys frothing at the mouth. Until today.

According to recent reports the MP4-12C is able to crack the 60 mph mark in "under three seconds" when utilizing the launch control feature on its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Partnered with its 2,870 curb weight (there's still some debate if that's "dry" or fully loaded with fluids) and 600 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, the more telling stat is its 0-124 mph time of "under 10 seconds."

For those of you keeping track at home, the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo hits 60 in 3.2 seconds, the Corvette ZR1 breaks the mark at 3.5 seconds, with the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and Ferrari 458 Italia coming in at 3.4 and 3.3 seconds respectively - not to mention the Nissan GT-R's 3.5-second run. So, is Maranello losing sleep tonight? Not likely. But there's officially a new player in the supercar set, and we can't wait to get our grubby paws on it.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C At Company Unveiling

[Source: Car and Driver]

McLaren MP4-12C performance stats have arrived originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren could develop racing version of MP4-12C for privateers

Noah Joseph — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, MISC, Racing

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

When a world-championship racing team unveils a new supercar, some inevitable questions are bound to follow. In the case of the McLaren MP4-12C, people want to know if the company plans on racing it. Seems like logical enough a question, especially considering that McLaren's racing experience extends beyond Formula One, most notably the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans where a McLaren F1 GTR pipped the prototypes to claim overall victory.

According to McLaren chief Ron Dennis, the company is not planning their own racing campaign for the MP4. But having learned from the F1 project, which was never designed as a race car but was later adapted to the purpose following demand from racing teams, Dennis suggested that the company could offer and support competition spec versions of the car for privateer entries.

While it remains a question mark as to which series the car might be best suited, neither the FIA GT1 World Championship nor Le Mans (and its associated series around the world) would seem out of the realm of possibility. Maybe those renderings of long-tail MP4-12Cs weren't so far-fetched after all.

Gallery: Rendered: McLaren MP4-12C GTR

[Source: Autosport]

McLaren could develop racing version of MP4-12C for privateers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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