McLaren’s MP4-12C puts it in competition with Mercedes and Ferrari off the track
McLaren's MP4-12C (right) with a McLaren F1
McLaren officially launched its MP4-12C today – the sports car which will rival Ferrari’s 458 model.
The company is entering a new era as it begins production of road vehicles in greater numbers than it has done before and ends its association with Mercedes. It has begun buying back the 40% stake Mercedes acquired in McLaren and should complete the process by the end of the year.
While the new MP4-12C was officially revealed to the press at McLaren’s headquarters the car was also on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed media event. It was shown alongside a McLaren F1 – the ultra-exclusive supercar, formerly the fastest production car in the world, examples of which have sold for millions of pounds at auction.
The MP4-12C, is powered by an engine built by McLaren in-house. This will inevitably raise speculation that the team might want to go the same way with its F1 cars.
But it announced at the end of last year that a deal was in place to continue its supply of Mercedes F1 engines until 2015 – despite Mercedes entering its own works team in the sport this year.
It’s a significant change for the team that has competed in F1 longer than any other team bar Ferrari. Instead of being partly owned by a car manufacturer, it is now dependent on its ability to sell cars.
Can McLaren inspire enough wealthy buyers to spend over £150,000 on an MP4-12C? It claims it is on the way with over 1,600 expressions of interest for the first 1,000 examples which will be built in the first year of production.
It adds an extra dimension to their long-running rivalry with Ferrari which will now be measured in car sales as well as championship trophies.
And with with Mercedes promoting its SLS AMG via its role as F1 safety car supplier we now have three car manufacturers in F1 who are all competing for sales in the same market segment – an unusual and fascinating scenario.
McLaren MP4-12C
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- McLaren MP4-12C
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- McLaren MP4-12C
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- McLaren MP4-12C and McLaren F1
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- McLaren MP4-12C and McLaren F1
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- McLaren MP4-12C
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- McLaren MP4-12C
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- McLaren MP4-12C and McLaren F1
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- McLaren MP4-12C and McLaren F1
McLaren MP4-12C and rivals
- McLaren MP4-12C road car revealed
- Schumacher in Mercedes SLS ad (video)
- Mercedes SLS AMG to lead the pack as new F1 safety car in 2010
Images (C) F1Fanatic.co.uk
nemo said on 19th March 2010, 14:24
pffft its not even a 10 plate hahah :P
never been a ferrari fan. but i really like the 458..
not as much as i like this though ;)
Skett said on 19th March 2010, 15:33
Maybe I’m wrong but wouldn’t the 10 plate start in April?
nemo said on 19th March 2010, 17:53
nope. ive seen a few of them already. i think its the ’60′ plate that begins in march
Seamus said on 19th March 2010, 14:32
I’d buy one over a 458 any day if I had that kind of pocket change.
DAT said on 19th March 2010, 15:08
I think I’ll stick with the old one
wasiF1 said on 19th March 2010, 15:26
Lots of Top Gear
http://www.topgear.com/UK/car-news/mp4-12c-2010-03-18
http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/cars-coming-soon
Skett said on 19th March 2010, 15:39
Quite enjoyed the video at the bottom, the car makes a great noise!
DGR-F1 said on 19th March 2010, 16:11
I am not quite sure that McLaren will be totally dependent on car sales – don’t they also sell electronics, carbon fire technology and the like from other companies in the group?
Ylan Marcel said on 19th March 2010, 16:20
A beautiful car, but why McLaren don’t go to GT to fight versus Ferrari?
profesor said on 20th March 2010, 18:01
yes Whitmarch said they are going
A Singh said on 19th March 2010, 17:00
Not in the same league as the Ferrari 458 Italia – one stunner of a car, that is impossibly pretty.
Jack said on 29th March 2010, 12:15
Your point of view. In another the 458 isn’t in the same league as the 12C
thesternowl said on 19th March 2010, 17:19
One word: Ugly.
A.S said on 19th March 2010, 23:18
Bad promotion move, to put it next to a more stylish, faster, more beautiful car , this car sux donkey, it looks horrid, monotone, especially the back, which looks like an upbeat remake of a Honda Civic.
I expected something new,fresh and aggressive, they sure need to keep the design studio in order.
Pat said on 20th March 2010, 7:45
Looks good in race trim :)
http://www.topgear.com/UK/assets/cms/c3b4d0c9-92e1-4b66-a633-0894f5e8c7ac/670x377Image.jpg?p=100203_11:47
Oliver said on 21st March 2010, 16:55
I think Mclaren could have done a little bit better with the car’s styling. The car looks dated already. Perhaps its the colour. The rear looks like a 90s Nissan 300zx the front like, well the old Mclaren F1. The side view is pretty ordinary.
This car will cost big bucks, it should have the presence to match, and that need not be extreme, just some smooth lines, not kit car feel like we have now.
Alvira Khan said on 22nd March 2010, 13:13
McLaren have a stellar reputation. I was unaware that they have formerly departed from the Mercedes umbrella. The partnership worked well, although, having the luxury of marketing and selling your own cars has it’s benefits, and will supply direct revenue for future endeavours. I must say that I do like the look of the MP4-12C. It will be interesting to read future expert reviews and how it compares to the Ferrari 458. Alvira Khan, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Alumna, http://www.alvirakhan.com
Chaz said on 22nd March 2010, 18:40
I definately want one… please…
BasCB said on 23rd March 2010, 11:56
maybe Button joined McLaren to get his hands on a MP4-12c. He sure looks like enyojing the drive here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-czXXQqK-A&feature=related
marc said on 23rd March 2010, 18:36
why did button actualy leave mercedes gp he could have been driving with micheal shumache this year i would have stayed there because i was garanteed a team
Jack said on 29th March 2010, 12:16
Jenson has won a race, Schumacher hasn’t.
marc said on 23rd March 2010, 18:35
normaly i do this every so often do any one know how you check how many comments you have done
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