MP4-12C

Every line has a purpose

Streamlined and lean, the MP4-12C is distinctively McLaren: the low front cowl, the elegant, long windscreen, the unmistakable side air inlets, and the high, aggressive rear. Every sculpted line of the 12C is designed to enhance its aerodynamics. By using the same sophisticated techniques and technology we use for our Formula 1 cars, we’ve been able to use every millimetre of the 12C’s body to optimise downforce, for improved traction and cornering ability, and to reduce drag for increased speeds and fuel efficiency.

Learning from Formula 1

Our dedicated aerodynamics teams made full use of McLaren’s Formula 1 wind tunnel, as well as a full-size facility off-site. We combined this with hundreds of hours of Computational Fluid Dynamics work – using the same computer and software used to develop our Formula 1 cars. Ian Gough Head of Aerodynamics for McLaren Automotive explains: “Every aspect of the MP4-12C has been honed using the most advanced equipment available. Of course, the requirements in Formula 1 are different, but there are some aerodynamic features that are derived directly from our racing experience, like the diffuser and the guide vanes behind the wheels”.

Speeding up the air beneath the 12C

The completely flat underbody and large rear diffuser are aerodynamic features developed from our Formula 1 cars, and significantly increase the 12C’s downforce. As air is channelled between the car’s low body and the road, it expands into the diffuser tunnels towards the rear. This expansion accelerates the airflow and creates negative air pressure beneath the car, pulling the floor of the 12C towards the road and increasing overall grip. The guide vanes on the 12C’s underbody, alongside the wheels, actually turn the turbulent air they generate so that it doesn’t disturb the smooth air flow being funnelled from the front to the rear of the car. “If the wake from the wheels is allowed to interfere with the clean air flow across the smooth underbody, the downforce it’s capable of producing is reduced. Rather like the turning vanes behind the front wheels of the McLaren Formula 1 car, which have now been removed from the sport, the vanes on the underside of the 12C are designed to divert turbulent air flow created by the wheels, helping to generate downforce without any drag at all. We call it the ‘something for nothing’ principle.”

Controlling the air over the 12C

At the front, we developed the 12C’s compact architecture to reduce the turbulence as it cuts through the air. The nose splitter increases downforce at the front. At the sides, every surface is used to add aerodynamic advantage. Sculpted channels on the underside of each wing mirror are used to counteract the air disturbance created by the mirrors themselves. The doors are uninterrupted by handles. As the air travels over the car, it’s channelled towards the scalloped rear shoulders and onto the Airbrake: “When the Airbrake’s fully deployed, it creates significant additional wake that works with the rear diffuser to suck even more air from under the car for optimum downforce.”

Efficient cooling

Taking heat out of the car led to some of the 12C’s most unique aerodynamic features. At the front, the large air intakes dominating its face are sculpted and scaled to maximise air flow to the front coolers – part of the induction air cooling system. The 12C’s distinctive side air inlets are designed to actually turn the air flow 90 degrees onto the side-facing radiators, positioned alongside the engine. At the rear, the open design and elegant louvres alongside the rear window are designed to let as much heat as possible out of the engine bay. It’s another example of the way the 12C’s lines have been formed by letting the car breathe as efficiently as possible, in keeping with our ‘everything for a reason’ philosophy.