HIGHLIGHTS
Bruce McLaren would have been very proud of…
HIGHLIGHTS
Bruce McLaren would have been very proud of the way his company has carried on his legacy into the 21st century with such sensational supercars as this 2012 McLaren MP4-12C. It is also likely he would have appreciated the extra performance added to this example by a certified McLaren dealer, upgrades that were performed at an investment of some $13,000. McLaren’s engineering and design teams set the parameters for this incredible performer in 2005; the next five years involved the same methodical approach that has earned eight F1 Constructors’ Championships among its many international titles. McLaren led the way in using composites first in its Grand Prix cars and pioneered its road use in the fabulous 2003 F1, and the 12C follows that tradition with its revolutionary MonoCell carbon-fiber chassis, which is essentially forged into its final shape, and with mounting points machined to Formula 1 tolerances of +/- .02 to .05mm. To this incredibly strong yet lightweight structure are added aluminum subframes carrying hydraulically controlled all-independent wishbone suspension, specially designed disc brakes with lightweight cast-iron cross-drilled discs and McLaren 4-piston calipers. Gulping its intake charge through body-side air intakes holding twin radiators, the compact M838T all-alloy twin-turbo DOHC V-8 mounted behind the cockpit uses Nikasil-coated aluminum cylinder liners, composite cam covers, dry-sump lubrication and lightweight Inconel sport exhaust. The resulting 592 HP and 443 lb-ft of torque is transferred into action by a paddle-shifted 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. This potent mix of ample power and light weight is complemented with such upgrades as Pankyl Racing Systems lightweight forged control arms and Tenneco dampers. This 2012 12C bursts onto the stage in classic McLaren Orange paint on its glass-smooth exterior, but the cleanly designed cockpit perfectly suits the knowing driver who prefers a minimalist environment. Driven just 39,930 miles, this milestone road-going McLaren is already a motoring classic and an icon of the whirlwind 21st-century supercar era.