A rarity within a rarity
There is no official production data publicly available as to how many MP4-12C (Coupe) and MP4-12C Spiders (Convertible) cars were produced by McLaren between 2011 through to 2014, none that this author can find, at least, but the consensus as to the best estimate is that approximately 3,500 or so coupes and 1,400 Spiders were ever made, making them a moderately rare, and very high-end collectible. They are also just fun to look at and to drive. This particular example was produced midway through the run, sometime in 2013, and was purchased a year later by the current owner. Let’s see what all the fuss is about!
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A carbon-fiber land shark in motion
This majestic beast has been coated in a sleek grey paint that shines without glare and really helps ground the car on its native prey, the pavement. Bodywork is done in a single carbon-fiber molded piece with composite body paneling attached, just like McLaren’s earlier F1 series, and just as curvaceous. The grille is cut away from the front of the car, buried deep inside with black grating that is wider at the sides and narrows around the front. Decorative black grating with orangish-red tail lights mirrors this effect on the back. Special bi-xenon headlights give excellent visibility no matter the time of day or weather, and a reactive rear spoiler adjusts automatically to speeds for the best handling performance.
A built-in and body-color hardtop adds very little weight, as the design was intended to support both coupe and convertible from the outside, necessitating no reinforcement for the latter. Deep fender vents ahead of the rear wheels give style and cooling, while the dihedral doors command respect and drip with effortless elegance. A single pantograph windshield wiper ensures a clear view of the road in front, while heated and fully power-adjustable side mirrors accomplish the same for the back. Two squared exhaust exits sit at the base of the rear, while up front, a paint-protection film has been applied. The wheels are 19″ up front and 20″ in back, both split-five-spoke forged affairs shod in Pirelli tires.
Orange on black is where it’s at
A pair of heated and power-adjustable orange leather bucket seats and door paneling is set in contrast to the rest of the door paneling, center console, dash, and carpeting, which are all done in black and charcoal fiber trim. Both driver and passenger can sit in comfort thanks to dual-zone automatic climate controls, and there’s a small, vertical touchscreen-capable control interface at the point where console meets dash.
Other appointments include a radar detection device, Meridian speakers, front and rear parking sensors, Launch Control, and ProActive Chassis Control for maximum safety and performance. A tri-spoke steering wheel, wrapped in leather and trimmed in carbon fiber, comes with paddle shifters and sits in front of the central 8,500 rpm redline tachometer, with a digital speedometer and configurable screens for additional vehicle information.
Two turbochargers are better than one
Mid-mounted in the vehicle lies its heart, namely a 3.8L (232) twin-turbocharged V8 engine, fitted with a flat-plane crankshaft as well as dry-sump lubrication. In ideal conditions, this configuration is able to put out 616 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, which is more than you’ll probably realistically need outside of a race track. All of that power is pushed to the rear wheels by way of a seven-speed and dual-clutch automatic transaxle, combining the transmission, differential, and axles into one assembly.
Braking is handled by six and four-piston rotors, front and back, respectively. The current owner has been giving the vehicle good care, reporting that an oil change, a brake fluid and coolant flush, and replacement of the suspension accumulators and air filters were performed in October of this year in preparation for sale. The odometer reads about 11,000 miles, all but a thousand of which are from current ownership.
Final thoughts: A rare beast has graced our presence
McLaren is one of the highlights of British automotive tradition, and represents the push to ever more powerful and more stylish cars across the pond. This particular MP4-12C Spider is pretty uncommon to see on offer, and while it’s not one-of-a-kind, the type is sufficiently rare to get collectors excited when it does appear. If you would like to check out the full listing and, perhaps, place a bid of your own, you can do so here. Happy hunting!
