MP4-12C

The ‘and’ car

Our vision for the MP4-12C was to make a sports car that was lightweight ‘and’ strong. Fast ‘and’ efficient. Comfortable ‘and’ exhilarating. With intelligent design, we would avoid conventional compromises.

The freedom of a blank sheet of paper

Because we were starting from scratch with no carry-over parts from previous cars to cloud our vision, we had the freedom to design without compromise. While ultimately more challenging, it allowed us to put convention to one side and innovate, from the ground up. Every switch, dial and component is bespoke to our specification, meeting our own obsessively high standards. That’s not to say we haven’t learned from the past – far from it. The MP4-12C is the result of 45 years of learning, from our very first 1964 racing car, to the carbon fibre breakthroughs of our sports cars, the F1 and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.  <

Lightweight and strong

The 12C is the first car in its class to offer a carbon fibre framework at its core. At less than 80kg, the Carbon MonoCell is 25% lighter than conventional all-aluminium frames, and significantly stiffer. This carbon fibre structure contributes significantly to the 12C’s overall low weight.

Performance and efficiency

The 12C is powered by a McLaren twin-turbocharged, 3.8 litre V8 engine - the M838T. We believe that this smaller capacity, lighter weight, higher efficiency and more economical power unit marks the start of a new era for sports cars. This engine has the highest specific power output in its class, and when combined with the lightweight Carbon MonoCell, produces a power-to-weight ratio that is exemplary. With abundant torque throughout the 8,500rpm rev range, 80% of the M838T engine’s torque is available below 2,000rpm, for extreme acceleration at any speed.

Exceptional handling and ride comfort

Thanks to our ground-breaking Proactive Chassis Control, the 12C doesn’t need a heavy, mechanical anti-roll bar. This, combined with the incredible torsional rigidity of the Carbon MonoCell, results in the car’s exceptional ride comfort, roll control and grip on the road, without compromising performance during extreme driving.