McLaren Automotive is in the final stages of developing a range of innovative high-performance sports cars that will also be highly efficient, high-quality, lightweight, practical, dynamic, safe, comfortable and visually arresting. On Monday 17 January, the first MP4-12C production car entered the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) General Assembly Hall in Woking, England.
A new £40m manufacturing facility, the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) is currently under construction adjacent to the MTC site, and will open in spring 2011. McLaren Automotive will transfer production of the 12C from the existing MTC assembly line to the MPC in April.
A range of premium carbon-based high-performance sports cars from components that are bespoke, innovative and unique, will then start to be distributed to a dedicated network of 35 retailers in 19 countries around the world.
This is not just the launch of a new car. It is the launch of a new car company. So what credentials does McLaren offer to take such bold and courageous steps?
The McLaren Vision
The answer lies with the vision and ambition of McLaren Automotive’s Executive Chairman, Ron Dennis: “McLaren’s first and founding principle was to compete successfully in motor sport and particularly Formula 1. That goal has taken us to great heights; from an engineering and innovation perspective, and by rewarding our people for their endeavours over many long seasons of top level motor racing. But despite all the trophies and great racing successes, there comes a time when the maturity of a company and its future development depends on broadening its activities.
“We have long held the dream of building a range of innovative McLaren sports cars. Sports cars that take the raw elements of Formula 1 principles, processes and performance and forge them into a unique package that adds the requirements of quality, efficiency, comfort and reliability – traditionally opposing goals that I know we can deliver.
“McLaren’s modern history began 30 years ago with an operation of 50 people dedicated solely to winning Grands Prix. Everything we have achieved as a well-honed and fiercely competitive team over the past three decades has prepared us for this moment. McLaren Group and McLaren Automotive now employ around 1,500 people – all dedicated and passionate about being the best. And about launching a new car company and our first car, of which I am very proud. The 12C and the future range of McLaren sports cars will support the long-term development of McLaren and our people.
“This new business will also bring into the UK new investment, a new manufacturing facility - the McLaren Production Centre - and new skilled jobs within the UK’s network of high-tech manufacturing and engineering businesses. I believe that McLaren Automotive is a good example of how the UK can develop a new, innovative and globally influential manufacturing base, through technological innovation in design and build-processes.
“Launching a new car company is a great challenge that is exciting everyone at McLaren. Everything is in place and on schedule for the first of our new range of cars to go on sale in the first half of 2011. These are exciting times - for McLaren, for car enthusiasts and, just as importantly, for people who are passionate about technology, innovation and engineering,”Dennis concluded.
Launch plans and prices
In 2010, McLaren Automotive passed a significant number of milestones in its development as the world’s newest sports car company. The McLaren Production Centre began construction in March, the 12C made its global public debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England, in North America the 12C debuted at the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event, and prospective customers for the 12C were given the opportunity to see the car in the metal at a series of exclusive presentations hosted by McLaren Automotive’s new retail partners across the globe.
The 12C goes on sale at a groundbreaking price for a carbon chassis-based car and McLaren Automotive will produce up to 1,000 12Cs for sale worldwide in its first production year.
With the new McLaren Production Centre fully operational, it is anticipated that McLaren will build up to 4,000 cars across its model range annually by the middle of the decade, a figure that will account for between three and four percent of the annual global market for premium sports cars.
No compromise: McLaren MP4-12C sets new performance and efficiency standards
■Lightweight design philosophy the foundation to segment-best performance with efficiency■Formula 1 integration - technologies, processes and people - inspire the 12C’s headline figures■30 years of carbon composite chassis design at McLaren inspires the 12C’s revolutionary carbon MonoCell■See performance data and technology presented in a high quality short film featuring Jenson Button, entitled ‘MP4-12C Official Performance Data’ at youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetvThrough a combination of carbon fibre expertise, innovative Formula 1-inspired technologies and development programmes, and a desire to launch a range of ‘pure McLaren’ road cars, the groundbreaking new McLaren MP4-12C has redefined high-performance sports car benchmarks. By March 2010, when the 12C was first revealed, McLaren Automotive was close to achieving its own high performance targets within the intensive testing and development programme. Key segment targets included:
■lowest CO2 output and best fuel consumption■highest power with fastest acceleration and braking across all typical benchmark speed and distance parameters■lightest weight, and therefore highest power to weight ratioAll within a package of more subjective, but equally important, benchmarks: comfort, practicality, driveability, and ownership costs. To be a success, and bring innovation to the market, McLaren knew the 12C had to be the first genuine ‘no compromise’ high-performance sports car.
Now, as the first production cars enter the McLaren Technology Centre, segment-best performance data is confirmed. Headline figures include:
■0 - 200kph in 9.1s (8.9s on optional Corsa tyres)■CO2 emissions of 279g/km (equating to 24.2 EU mpg combined)■0 - 100kph in 3.3s (3.1s with optional Corsa tyres)■top speed: 330kph (205mph)■100 - 0 kph in 30.5 m (100 ft)■¼ mile: 10.9s @ 135 mph■dry weight (with lightweight options): 1301kgs / 2868 lbs■carbon MonoCell chassis weight: 75kgs / 165 lbs■power: weight (lightweight options): 461PS / 455bhp per tonne.■power: 600PS (592bhp) at 7,000 rpm■torque: 600Nm between 3,000 – 7,000 rpmMcLaren performance
McLaren MP4-12C performance data
EU US/UK Engine Power 600 PS (441kW) 592 bhp @ 7000 rpm @ 7000 rpm Torque 600 Nm 443 lb-ft @ 3000-7000rpm @ 3000-7000rpm Weight DIN weight 1434 kg 3161 lbs Dry weight 1336 kg 2945 lbs Dry weight 1301kg 2868 lbs (with lightweight options) Efficiency CO2 279 g/km 279 g/km Fuel consumption (combined) 11.7 l/100 km 24.2 mpg (UK) Power to weight 461 PS/tonne 455 bhp/tonne (with lightweight options) CO2/power 0.47 g/km per PS 0.47 g/km per bhp Speed Maximum speed 330 kph 205 mph Acceleration 0-100 kph (62 mph) 3.3 s 3.3 s (3.1 s with Corsa tyre option) (3.1 s with Corsa tyre option) 0-200 kph (124 mph) 9.1 s 9.1 s (8.9 s with Corsa tyre option) (8.9 s with Corsa tyre option) 0-400 m / ¼ mile 10.9 s @ 216 kph 10.9 @ 134 mph 0-1000 m 19.6 s @ 272 kph Braking Braking 200-0 kph 123 m 124-0 mph 403 ft 100-0 kph 30.5 m 62-0 mph 100 ft
All figures apply to a European specification MP4-12C
