The result of our pioneering spirit
McLaren’s engineers are driven by the desire to compete, to win, and to innovate. We’re the only racing outfit to have won Indy, Can-Am, Le Mans and Formula 1 Championships. The MP4-12C is the summation of all we have learned on and off the race track.
Committed to innovation
12C engineers at all levels were recruited directly from our race team, bringing with them the expertise, techniques, ingenuity and rapid lateral thinking required to make significant technical improvements from one race to the next. They also brought with them expectations of efficiency, performance and handling from the pinnacle of automotive accomplishment – Formula 1. For three years, the passionate and talented team has worked together to find new solutions to tough challenges, and meet McLaren’s self-imposed quality and performance benchmarks. This unwavering ambition, combined with the evolution and application of race-bred technologies, has led us to create a sports car that truly breaks new ground.
We use the same simulator and wind tunnel technology with our sport cars as we do with our race cars. We’ve even applied technologies to the 12C that are relatively new to the pit lane:
Brake-Steer, as seen in Formula 1
One feature that helps the 12C to handle at a whole new level is an electronic system developed for McLaren Mercedes’ 1997 MP4-12 Formula 1 car. Brake-Steer applies a brake to the inside rear wheel when the car enters a corner too quickly. It prevents under-steer and bring the car’s nose back in line. The system also works on acceleration out of a corner (when the inside rear has a tendency to spin), allowing the driver to put down power more quickly.
Formula 1-inspired rocker shift
When a Formula 1 car pulls out of the pits, the driver has to turn the steering wheel to an extreme lock to avoid his pit crew, at the same time as changing up quickly through the gears as he accelerates away. Pulling gear shift paddles with your arms at full lock is not an easy or natural action. So a rocker shift is used, which allows the driver to push as well as pull, to select a gear.
The MP4-12C’s rocker shift is designed in exactly the same way. Pivoting in the centre and mounted to the steering wheel, rather than on the steering column, it gives the driver total control, allowing them to change gear quickly, easily and accurately, even when tackling a hairpin at high speed.
Thoroughbred handling
Our special mix of road car, racing and electronics expertise has given us the confidence and expertise to develop the Carbon MonoCell and Proactive Chassis Control, which combine to give the 12C its thoroughbred handling.