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.
Dedicated wind tunnel and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) teams worked together 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.
Air control
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 for optimum downforce.
Beneath the car, the 12C’s aerodynamics are more reminiscent of our Formula 1 cars. Fine-tuned using rolling road wind tunnel testing, and the same software used by our Racing team, the completely flat underbody and large rear diffuser significantly increase its downforce. As the air trapped between the car’s low body and the road is channelled towards the rear, the diffuser increases the speed of the air as it exits from underneath. The negative air pressure created pulls the rear of the 12C towards the road, increasing rear-wheel grip.
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˚ 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.