At the mention of a brand like McLaren,many immediately come up with memories of popular teams participating in Formula 1 racing on expensive supercars. Of the latter, we can mention the McLaren MP4-12C. It is one of the best sports racing cars ever made. The world premiere of this vehicle was held at the Frankfurt Motor Show (Germany) in 2010. He then made his debut in 2011 at the “24 Hours Spa” race (at the Belgian circuit).
McLaren Automotive - the best sports car manufacturer
This is the legendary British manufacturer.supercars The company McLaren Automotive is known for its iconic sports car - McLaren F1. Many believed that by creating a given creation once, this manufacturer would not be able to repeat such success. But after eighteen years, the company releases its new brainchild - McLaren MP4-12C. Externally, the cars are similar, but the approach to designing the MP4-12C was completely different. The company's management has high hopes for a new supercar! Let's find out how it surpasses the first model.
Differences MP4-12C from F1
The main difference of the MP4-12C is a monolithic body, which is assembled without a single joint.
The salon of the new model, unlike the F1, attractsattention luxury. He is also full of electronics, which allows to determine the fault of the car. The system automatically communicates with the dealer located nearby, and reports the address to the owner of the transport. When you arrive at the site, the wizard will eliminate the malfunction as soon as possible. This service in the company is called a “pit stop”. In the cabin there are two seats, not three, as in F1.
Engines in cars are different.In F1 - BMW S70 V12 (volume 6.1 liters), and in the MP4-12C - own design (described in more detail below). It also has an automatically controlled spoiler that acts as an air brake.
Model MP4-12C has unmatched strength. It is characterized by lightness and durability.
McLaren MP4-12C: Specifications
So, “MP4” is the collective name of the formula cars McLaren, and “C” means Carbon (carbon).
Vehicle specifications:
- Length - 4507 cm.
- Width - 1909 cm.
- Height - 1199 cm.
- Body type - coupe.
- At the heart of the body is carbon monocoque "MonoCell", to which the chassis and the motor are attached. Hinged parts are made of aluminum and carbon fiber.
- Drive - rear.
- The radius of the discs is R20.
- Engine displacement - 3799 cc.
- The number of doors and seats - two.
- Fuel tank capacity - 72 liters.
- Weight does not exceed 1400 kg.
- Engine capacity - 3.8 liters.
- Torque - 600 Nm.
- Transmission type - seven-speedrobotic gearbox. Equipped with a system of "Pre-coq". Switching to a higher speed occurs instantly and smoothly. It has three positions: Normal, High Performance, Sport.
- Suspension - on double levers with springs of its own production.
- Stabilizers - hydraulic.
- Maximum speed - 330 kilometers per hour.
- The braking system is powerful and allows you to stop the car moving at a speed of 100 km per hour, for 3 seconds, the stopping distance is 30 meters.
Engine super speed car
Ранее компания McLaren Automotive разрабатывала engine for sports cars in conjunction with concerns BMW (F1), Honda (MP4 / 6) and Mercedes Benz (Mercedes SLR, MP4 / 20). And now the British manufacturer boasts its own design - it is a V-shaped engine. It is equipped with the “VVT” system and has two turbochargers. Gives out six hundred horsepower. Spins up to 8500 rpm.
The MP4-12C is the first McLaren car to have this engine.
Cost
In the sale of the described sports car entered in 2011. Its cost was:
- in the UK - 199700 euros;
- in Germany - 200,000 euros;
- in France, € 201,000;
- in Italy - 201680 euro;
- in Russia - 212370 euros.
New modifications of the MP4-12C range
More recently, the McLaren MP4-12C was released, andin 2012 its racing version GT3 was already demonstrated. For many years developed a division of McLaren GT. The car is completely redesigned. The sports car received a new aerodynamic body kit, which included: a massive diffuser, a front splitter, side air intakes and a rear wing. The only thing that has not been changed is the engine. It remains the same turbocharged (V8), its volume was the same 3.8 liters as in the previous model. Only the engine power was reduced by one hundred horsepower, and the revolutions - up to 7500 rpm. Such a decrease in these indicators is due to the fact that the developers sought to create a well-balanced racing sports car.
Instead of the seven-step “robot”, a sequential gearbox from Ricardo was installed. Installed new unit ABC and brake Akebono.
Автомобиль нового модельного ряда получил пакет improvements in the climate system, transmission, electrical equipment. All improvements have been made based on customer complaints. So, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 headlights are now connected to the rain sensor. The seats have an “easy entry” function, which facilitates the process of landing and exiting the car. Updated body colors, released new versions of wheels. Changes to the interior trim. Total GT3 will be made about twenty, the cost of each - in the range of 500,000 dollars.
К своему пятидесятилетию в ноябре 2012 года division McLaren Automotive presented an open version of the MP4-12C, which received the prefix Spider to the main name. The car has a folding roof, retractable in a special compartment behind the rear seats. Weight increased due to this up to 1474 kg. The engine is the same, but its power is 625 horsepower.
Maximum speed - 329 kilometers per hour ata raised roof, and when lowered - 4 km per hour below. The volume of the fuel tank - 72 liters. From a place the car accelerates to 100 km per hour in three seconds. The maximum number of seats is two for the McLaren MP4-12C Spider. The price of the car is 215500 dollars.
McLaren Museum
In this "smithy" collected unique instances.supercars, race cars racing series "Formula 1" and other cars, from the sixties to our days. The collection is replenished every year with new models. Consider several instances. Let's start with the McLaren MP4 / 6. This is the first racing McLaren, which was equipped with a Honda RA121E (V12) engine. Designed by Neil Outley. McLaren developed it to participate in the Formula 1 World Racing Championship (for the 1991 season in Brazil).
Specifications are listed below.
- Car weight - 505 kilograms.
- Tires - Goodyear.
- Suspension: front and rear (active, with levers of different lengths).
- Engine - Honda V12. Volume - 3.5 liters.
- Transmission: six speeds plus one reverse gear.
- There is a manual N-shaped box.
The car won the 1991 "Cup of Designers."
The museum also exhibited the legendary sports car McLaren F1. It was designed in 1993. At that time, it was the fastest supercar, a status he held until 2005.
The museum presents the car "Formula 1" - McLarenMP4 / 20. Developer - Team McLaren Mercedes. It was designed by Adrian Newey and Mike Koflan. The car was created to participate in the car racing championship, which was held in 2005 (Australia). He had high hopes. He was recognized as a race car of the same year according to the Autosport magazine.
Specifications:
- Engine - Mercedes-Benz.
- Volume - 3.0 liters.
- Power - 930 horsepower.
- Tires - Michelin.
- Box - semi-automatic. Seven speeds plus reverse gear.
- The chassis is completely redesigned after the failure of the two previous models (MP4-18 and 19). Shorter wheelbase.
- Distinctive features - the presence of wings of the "horn" type, which are mounted on the body behind the air intake.
At the moment, these models are not available, they can only be seen in the museum.
Accessory from the manufacturer of supercars
Concern McLaren Automotive for its anniversarydesigned an interesting accessory - Tag Heuer Carrera MP4-12C chronograph. It is worth mentioning that the project was carried out in conjunction with such a great Swiss manufactory as Tag Heuer. McLaren MP4-12C inspired watchmakers to create this amazing creation. In the style of the watch you can find the display design and color of the car. The basis of the dial served as carbon. Initially, this material was used by the masters of the concern to manufacture a sports car frame.
The dial has large hour indexes.Feature of the chronograph - instead of the traditional number "12" is set to zero. The aperture is in the center. There are three arrows with anti-reflective coating of orange tint. The watch is covered with sapphire crystal. Their heart is the mechanism "Dubois-depraz 4900". Available accessory with a leather strap, decorated with orange stitching. The price of the model is 10500 dollars.
So, the great F1 remained a legend, and the carMcLaren MP4-12C turned out, as I thought - a supercar with excellent speed characteristics, great design. At the moment, the British company plans to develop the MP4-12C model range further.
