Even more powerful and usable: the enhanced McLaren MP4-12C

NEW YORK, June 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• McLaren 12C's maximum output increases to 616hp[1]
• Even faster on-the-limit with no loss in efficiency
• Feature and drivetrain enhancements make the 12C more rewarding to drive and easier to live with
• Innovative Intake Sound Generator (ISG) now allows programmable aural drama inside the 12C cockpit
• More colour and leather finish options give extra scope for customer personalisation 
• Existing 12C owners to be offered complimentary upgrade to latest specification

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120607/LA21143)

McLaren Automotive, rather than resting on its laurels, has instead announced a package of enhancements that will make its 12C high performance sports car even more invigorating to drive yet even easier to live with.

Headlining the changes is a power increase that takes the maximum output of the mid mounted, twin turbocharged V8 engine to 616hp to give yet more vivid acceleration at track speeds with no loss in efficiency. Modifications have been made by McLaren's engineers to the 12C's engine and SSG transmission increasing responsiveness. Ease of use, a phrase not often associated with cars of this type, is further improved through a host of detail changes while a wider variety of paint, leather and wheel options give customers yet more scope for personalization. The 12C's unique Intake Sound Generator (ISG) system, which controls the amount of engine intake sound heard in the cabin, is now programmable across three levels in all three Powertrain modes allowing the driver to select the amount of aural drama he or she wants to enjoy, whatever the road. But one aspect that hasn't changed is the 12C's purposeful styling...apart from a subtle revision to the McLaren Speed Marque badge, that is.

This latest iteration of the 12C, which at launch set a new benchmark among its competitors for power, efficiency and pioneering technology, will go into production later this year and at a price that starts from $239,400 (MSRP) in the USA*. Please check with your nearest dealership for more detailed information. Customers who have already taken delivery of a 12C are not being neglected, though. Every 12C owner is being offered a package of upgrades, including the extra power at no cost, underlining McLaren's commitment to its customers ensuring they enjoy owning their 12C as much as they do driving it.  

Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director said: "Given our racing heritage, it is in our nature to continuously seek out improvements. The team at McLaren Automotive recognizes that our existing and future customers deserve the very best product and service we can offer, and the launch of the enhanced 12C reaffirms its position as the most powerful luxury sports car among its competitor set.

"We designed and engineered the 12C from a clean sheet of paper, and I am delighted with the innovative technology package created for our first sports car. Our customers love driving a car with technologies and systems that have proved successful in Formula 1 and which create an incredible driving experience in a unique new high performance sports car. New and existing customers will now enjoy an even better experience thanks to the upgrades."

For a complete overview of the 2013 MP4-12C, please visit: http://media.mclarenautomotive.com/release/133

[1] All power output figures have been converted to horsepower from PS and rounded to nearest whole number e.g.

* US Base MSRP does not include options; federal, state or local taxes; license, titling, registration or transportation fees.  Vehicle specifications and MSRP are subject to change without notice. Destination and port processing is $2,400, and is not included in the base MSRP. 

2013 model year MP4-12C performance data highlights

2013 model year McLaren MP4-12C technical specification

Notes to Editors

McLaren Automotive has a 20 year heritage in producing landmark sports cars for the road: the McLaren F1 road car, which was launched in 1992, set the world land speed record for a production car, and is regarded as one of the iconic sports cars of the modern age. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2003 – 2009) is the most successful supercar ever in its price bracket, having sold twice as many cars as its nearest carbon-based rival.

McLaren Automotive has now moved from these successful automotive projects to launching a new car company that will design, develop, and distribute a range of high performance, highly efficient and technologically innovative sports cars through a global network of highly respected premium car retailers in every major automotive market.  

Around 4,000 sports cars will be built annually by the middle of the decade in the advanced new manufacturing facility, the McLaren Production Centre. McLaren Automotive's debut model is the 12C. Drawing on the company's long-standing Formula 1 experience in its concept and development, the 12C is lighter, faster, more powerful, more fuel efficient and more exclusive than its key competition. It supports its performance benchmarks by introducing a unique one-piece moulded carbon chassis into the 'core' sports car segment in a new production method that brings the performance of 500,000 pounds Sterling cars to market at a third of the price. All future McLarens will continue the themes presented by the 12C: innovation, integration of Formula 1 technology, and ultimate performance.

In 2011 McLaren Automotive announced the launch of McLaren GT; a new race car manufacturer combining the expertise of McLaren Automotive, McLaren Racing, McLaren Electronic Systems, McLaren Applied Technologies and CRS Racing.  McLaren GT is now developing the first racing derivative of the 12C sports car, the MP4-12C GT3.  Twenty-five examples of the MP4-12C GT3 will be delivered to private teams for racing in Europe in 2012.

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SOURCE McLaren