2012 Geneva Motor Show – memoR McLaren MP4-12C by Hamann

Hamann has brought to the 82^nd edition of the Geneva Motor Show the memoR McLaren MP4-12C which is essentially a styling exercise applied on a car that was already astonishing. They did not mess around with the engine of the car but it does come with a new aerodynamic package that brings a big front splitter, a new rear diffuser, modified wheel arches and updated side skirts.

According to the tuner, this new bodykit manages to increase the downforce on both front and rear axles of the car. The car features a red and black two-tone exterior finish which looks great with those black rims. Most likely, Hamann will soon start working on a performance upgrade for the McLaren MP4-12C.

No word yet about the price tag of this aerodynamic package.

Source: Hamann via ZerCustoms

Post tags: Tags: geneva-motor-show, hamann, Hamann memoR McLaren MP4-12C, McLaren, mclaren mp4-12c, motor shows, Tuning

Wheelsandmore unveils McLaren MP4-12C Toxique Evil

The tuners from Wheelsandmore have unveiled a new project based on the McLaren MP4-12C which they’ve called the Toxique Evil. This “diabolical” sports car is motivated by the same V8 3.8-liter twin-turbo engine that features an optimized ECU and also a new sports exhaust system.

Thanks to these modifications, the engine in this McLaren MP4-12C Toxique Evil by Wheelsandmore is able to produce no less than 666 hp (hence the “evil” name) (675 PS / 497 kW) and a peak torque of 472 lb.-ft (640 Nm) of torque, which is 66 hp (67 PS / 49 kW) and 30 lb.-ft (40 Nm) more than the standard configuration of the power unit.

The tuner has announced that they are already working on a new turbo and intercooler package that will be able to increase the output of the engine to 800 hp (811 PS / 597 kW). Aside from the power boost, this McLaren MP4-12C comes with a 25mm reduced ride height, a full-length body stripe and rides on 20- / 21-inch alloys that have Continental Sport Contact 5P rubber.

Source: Wheelsandmore via WCF

Post tags: Tags: McLaren, mclaren mp4-12c, Tuning, wheelsandmore

McLaren MP4-12C by Hennessey pumps out 800 hp

The standard version of the McLaren MP4-12C offers 450 hp which for lots of people is more than enough. However, the engineers from Hennessey Performance have a different opinion and they have decided to increase the power of the engine to an amazing 800 hp.

The tuner’s HPE800 Twin Turbo remains a concept at the moment but most likely pretty soon they will start producing it, much like their own version of the Lotus Elise known as the Venom GT. Aside from this significant increase in power, the McLaren MP4-12C comes with beefier brakes, an upgraded suspension and new aerodynamics.

The body kit of the HPE800 Twin Turbo is manufactured from carbon fiber and includes a big rear diffuser, new front and rear aprons, a discreet rear wing, modified side skirts and a new design of the hood. The car rides on massive Monoblock rims that are wrapped around in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. For the inside, Hennessey Performance is also offering a bunch of bespoke components for the interior cabin.

The car has the same 3.8-liter V8 engine but it has received a couple of modifications. The intercooler and the ball-bearing turbochargers have been upgraded, just like the fuel and engine management system. In addition, the car features blow-off valves and wastegates, along with a new transmission cooler as well as a more robust transmission clutch system. Aside from these, the McLaren MP4-12C features a titanium exhaust system developed entirely by the tuner.

Source: Hennessey Performance via ZerCustoms

Post tags: Tags: hennessey, hennessey performance, HPE800 Twin Turbo, McLaren, mclaren mp4-12c, Tuning

McLaren F1 successor might get a twin-turbo V8 3.8-liter engine

McLaren F1

We are less than a year away from the launch of the highly anticipated successor for the McLaren F1. Dubbed the P12, the car will adopt a dramatic styling and should feature a double-bubble roof as well as a canopy-like greenhouse.

Car Magazine says that the car will be motivated by a twin-turbo V8 3.8-liter engine which will be capable of producing 800 hp (811 PS / 597 kW). The power unit might be backed up by a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) which will be able to give the vehicle short bursts of added performance.

The successor of the F1 will probably ride on a carbon fiber monocoque chassis that is quite similar to the one that McLaren used for the gorgeous MP4-12C. The one which will come in the P12 will be more advanced and lighter.

As for the price tag, the car will most likely cost somewhere around $962,700 (750,000 euros / 623,921 pounds) for the base model.

Source: Car Magazine

Post tags: Tags: McLaren, mclaren f1, mclaren f1 successor, mclaren p12

Spy shots – McLaren MP4-12C Spider

These would have to be the very first spy shots with the upcoming Spider version of the beautiful McLaren MP4-12C. The shots were taken by a photographer from Auto Express who spied the car while undergoing some tests in the south of Europe.

As you probably know this by now, McLaren has revealed that they will be releasing a new model every year until 2015 and the next model that will be launched is a rival for the Ferrari 458 Spider. The MP4-12C Spider will probably get a folding metal roof that looks just about the same as it does on the Ferrari model.

Most likely, it will feature a central panel that will flip upwards and back in order to lie flat between the passenger compartment and the car’s engine bay. This new roof mechanism will probably be manufactured from carbon fiber or aluminum so that it will not increase the curb weight of the car significantly.

The car will be motivated by the same twin-turbocharged V8 3.8-liter engine that generates 592 hp which will allow the MP4-12C Spider to hit a top speed of 200 mph. The sports car will probably get its official debut sometime in 2012 and it will hit the dealerships one year later.

Aside from this model, McLaren is also working on a hypercar which will be the successor of the legendary F1 that was introduced in the early 90s.

Source: Auto Express

Post tags: Tags: McLaren, mclaren mp4-12 spider, Spy Shots

McLaren Working On A New Hypercar

According to Autocar, the testing of McLaren’s new hypercar has already begun and the car is scheduled for a release sometime in 2014. This will be the spiritual successor of the legendary McLaren F1 launched in the early 90s and wants to be quicker than the Veyron, the successor of the Enzo and the upcoming Porsche 918 Spyder.

Company insiders have confirmed that the first tests of the car took place in Spain last month on closed roads and after that it went to Germany for further development. The same sources have said that the new hypercar from McLaren has also undergone some hot-weather testing, most likely in Bahrain.

The company plans on making only 500 units of the hypercar and the estimated price tag is of one million pounds. The aforementioned McLaren F1 was available upon launch for 540,000 pounds which in today’s money means about 810,000 pounds.

At the heart of the hypercar will be an all-new V8 5.0-liter engine that will churn 799 hp (160 hp / liter). This power unit is developed by McLaren with Ricardo and it will be linked to a 7-speed, dual-clutch Graziano gearbox that will send the power to the back wheels. The peak power will be available at 7,500 rpm while the maximum torque of 590 lb.-ft will be available between 3,500 rpm and 6,800 rpm. According to Autocar, the new hypercar will be able to do the 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds, 0-100 mph in 5.5 seconds and 0-200 mph in 20 sec.

Just like the MP4-12C, the new hypercar from McLaren will be based on a lightweight carbon fiber monocell and will feature an aluminum pushrod suspension, along with adaptive dampers, hydraulic anti-roll control and a 5-stage traction control system. As standard, the model will feature carbon ceramic brakes from Brembo, along with brake steer and electronic brake force functions. Most likely, drivers will be able to switch off the ABS system.

Company insiders have said that the new hypercar will be “bigger, angrier and more functional” than the aforementioned MP4-12C, even though it will borrow some design cues from the original F1 and the MP4-12C.

As for luxuries, these will be kept down to a minimum in order to save weight. The interior cabin of the new hypercar developed by McLaren promises to offer excellent all-round visibility. Some of the features it will have inside the cabin include a video camera for filming circuit laps and an on-board data logger.

The car is scheduled to be produced at the McLaren Technology Center and the rate will be of 2-3 cars / week over a 4-year production cycle.

Source: Autocar

Post tags: Tags: McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Revealed

All the juicy details about the GT3 version of the McLaren MP4-12C are out and now we can share them with you. It has the same V8 3.8-liter twin-turbo engine as the production version, but produces “only” 493 hp (500 PS / 368 kW) in comparison to the road-legal model that cranks out 592 hp (600 PS / 441 kW).

The car went on a diet, especially in the gearbox department, where the new one weighs 80 kg less than the 7-speed transmission available for the standard variant. In addition, the competition-tuned MP4-12C features a race suspension and borrows some F1 tech for the electronic systems, tires, seats and the steering wheel.

The car will take part in the 24 hours race at Spa, as well as in the Blancpain Endurance Series at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain. The McLaren MP4-12C GT3 will also be showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

You can get one for yourself if you are willing to spare 310,000 pounds.

[youtube width="470" height="344"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en0n-XD03TA[/youtube]

Source: McLaren via WCF

Post tags: Tags: McLaren, McLaren MP4-12C GT3

Ayrton Senna Documentary Recieves Positive Feedback

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOzq927y15o[/youtube]

Ayrton Senna died 17 years ago and he is still very well remembered and considered by many as the greatest Formula One driver of all time. I was too little when he raced in F1 and I only managed to see a couple of his races. All I can say is that I think he was the most ambitious driver in the history of F1. His rivalry with Prost is unmatched and the races they had together were unbelievable.

At the 2011 Sundace Film Festival a documentary about his life was shown and was met with critical acclaim. The work of executive producer Manish Pandey and British director Asif Kapaida, tells the story of one of the most famous F1 racers through valuable archive footage. This means that the documentary consists of exciting overtaking maneuvers, incredible crashes and great racing sequences that this competition has ever seen.

According to L.A. Times, the “Senna” documentary not only shows his competitive personality, but also his spiritual side. Manish Pandey told the Sundace audience that he already showed the documentary to Ron Dennis, who is the current chairman at McLaren Automotive and the ex-boss of the highly-acclaimed McLaren Formula One racing team. After seeing “Senna”, Ron Dennis cried for about 10 minutes and after that he spent the next two hours talking about the F1 legend – Ayrton Senna.

The Brazilian pilot managed to win three F1 championships and 33 races overall. He died in a crash at the age of 34 at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

Post tags: Tags: ayrton senna, McLaren, ron-dennis

TAG Heuer Preps MP4-12C Anniversary Watch

TAG Heuer and McLaren are celebrating their 26-year long collaboration plus the 20^th anniversary of the legendary McLaren F1 by launching this limited edition MP-12C Chronograph watch. The design of this beauty was inspired from the soon-to-be-released MP4-12C model and has a matching color scheme along with a couple of exotic materials like carbon fiber.

This lightweight material was used for the dial of the watch that features sapphire inserts which reveal the mechanism. The latter is protected with the help of the titanium case which is very durable and at the same time minimizes the weight of the watch. This TAG Heuer watch comes with an alcantara leather strap which evokes the interior of McLaren’s supercar, along with orange luminescent markers on the hands that are complemented by the orange stitching.

The watch benefits from the Flyback function which will come in hand for pilots and track drivers as it allows the chronograph to be reset to 0 and start again instantly with the help of a single push button. In addition, the TAG Heuer MP4-12C has a tachymeter which indicates what distance is travelled and the chronograph is capable of recording the intervals between two areas.

TAG Heuer will be making only 1,000 units of this model and it will be available for purchase also through McLaren later on this year.

Post tags: Tags: McLaren, MP4-12C, tag heuer

McLaren MP4-12C – Yours For 200k Euros

After a couple of months of waiting, the people at McLaren have officially set a price for their MP4-12C model. If you live in Germany and want to drive this supercar, you have to say goodbye to €200,000 from your bank account. U.K. residents will have to pay £168,500. However, there is still no pricing information for the United States market.

If you don’t remember the specifications of the MP4-12C, here they are: 3.8-liter V8 engine, twin-turbocharged capable of offering 592 hp. The car features a carbon-fiber body and will be available in 14 different trim variations for the indoor with several performance upgrades. In the first year of production, McLaren is planning to sell only 1,000 units of which all will be tuned at the new facility which should be fully functional starting with June next year.

To sum up what the people at McLaren nicely wrote in their official press release, here are the most important facts about their new car:

-          One-piece carbon chassis (the carbon MonoCell) that reduces weight, improves safety and performance;

-          The car was conceived, designed and developed within a real Formula 1 manufacturing unit;

-          The 3.8 600 PS engine produces less than 300g/km CO2 emissions;

-          14 interior trims and 17 high-grade exterior paint finishes will be available for the MP4-12C;

-          Clients can get performance upgrades like carbon ceramic brake discs, two lightweight forged wheel options and polished-finish calipers;

-          The car will be available in 19 countries worldwide;

-          The standard model comes with just one piece of carbon – the MonoCell – but owners of the car can get for additional money, other carbon fiber options for the engine cover, engine bay panels and mirror casings;

-          A £40 million manufacturing unit is under construction at the moment and will be fully operational by the middle of next year and in the future McLaren is planning on building 4,000 cars per year in comparison to the first year of production in which they will create only 1000 cars.

Source: McLaren

Post tags: Tags: McLaren, MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C targets Porsche owners, US CEO says

According to the CEO of McLaren USA, Anthony Joseph, things aren’t exactly so. In terms of customers, the British company competes with Porsche, as they both target people who want performance over brand name. Ferrari customers, on the other hand, want the prestige of the brand first, and performance later.

Still, even though it competes with lower priced Porsche models, Joseph says that around 2,700 letters of interest have been filed for the MP4-12C. Even though concrete orders haven’t been taken just yet, the new supercar is expected to exceed the first year sales estimates of 1,000 cars.

Last but not least, the McLaren USA CEO has also confirmed that new models and MP4-12C versions will appear in the next few years, as previously rumored.

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Post tags: Tags: Ferrari, McLaren, mclaren mp4-12c, Porsche, supercar

McLaren might launch five new models in five years

We’ve already heard the company is working on a successor to the iconic McLaren F1 hypercar, as well as on a smaller model, designed to compete against the Porsche 911.

Now, according to a brand new report, McLaren will launch five new models in the next five years. You can be sure that the aforementioned all-new cars will be a part of those five and, with a few logical deductions, the other two might be based on the MP4-12C.

A dedicated race car will no doubt appear, in order to please customers that are really into racing, while the other one might be the rumored 2+2 four-seat version of the new supercar.

Still, these are just speculations at the moment, but given McLaren’s new appetite for the sportscar market, you can be sure that the next few years are going to be very interesting.

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Post tags: Tags: McLaren, mclaren f1, mclaren mp4-12c, report, rumors

McLaren F1 crashes in Germany, damage costs $130,000

It seems that a German Mclaren F1 owner decided to take the expensive hypercar for a run on the famous Autobahn. Sadly, according to police, another driver pulled out in front of the powerful model and the F1 driver swerved to avoid crashing.

The McLaren didn’t manage to stop in time, and impacted two parked cars, damaging the left front part.

While you may think this isn’t a serious accident, the bill for the repairs is estimated at around $130,000, more than the price of a lot of brand new supercars.

Still, the driver escaped unharmed, and is definitely relieved to see that the McLaren F1, which now is sold for a few million dollars, hasn’t been totaled.

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Post tags: Tags: Car Crashes, germany, hypercar, McLaren, mclaren f1, repair, supercar

McLaren F1 successor might arrive as early as 2012

While some report have deemed a possible release date around 2014, a new report coming from the blokes at Autocar suggests that the F1 replacement might be revealed as early as 2012.

According to the British magazine, McLaren engineers are hard at work developing the best car the company can create, with “revolutionary” styling and performance specifications.

Knowing McLaren and its attention to detail, the F1 successor will no doubt be an impressive beast. Still, 2012 is awfully close, so until we hear it straight from Ron Dennis, don’t get your hopes too high. Until then though, the MP4-12C is more than adequate to fill the gap.

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Post tags: Tags: hypercar, McLaren, mclaren f1, mclaren mp4-12c, supercar

Video: Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button try to assemble a McLaren Formula 1 car

Now, the motorsport competition has come a very long way from its humble origins.

In order to highlight the importance of a specialized team, McLaren’s main sponsor, Vodafone, tasked the team’s two drivers and former F1 champs Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button with assembling the MP4-25 race car without the help of their team.

As you can imagine, even with one F1 title under their individual belts, things didn’t go as planned. Check out the hilarious video after the jump.
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Post tags: Tags: ad, formula-1, jenson button, lewis-hamilton, McLaren, Motorsport, Video