2012 McLaren MP4-12C Coupe
HIGHLIGHTS
- McLaren signature Volcano Orange paint
- Black leather and Alcantara interior with orange stitching
- One owner from new with very low mileage
- Extensive optional carbon fiber equipment
- Active spoiler with McLaren Airbrake
- Stealth package
SPECIFICATIONS
- Twin turbocharged aluminum 3.8L V8, 616 HP
- 7-speed dual clutch F1 transmission
- Proprietary hydraulic Proacive Chassis Control suspension
- ABS, traction control, launch control and selectable driving modes
- Carbon-ceramic brakes
- 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, 215 mph top speed
THE McLAREN 12C
McLaren was founded in 1963 by New Zealander Bruce McLaren as a racing business, and is one of the oldest and most successful racing teams in Formula One history. Behind only Ferrari, they have won 182 races, 12 Drivers Championships and eight Constructors’ Championships. While best known for their racing success, McLaren also has an illustrious history with road cars. In the early 1990’s, they decided to showcase their design and engineering skills with a car new car designed by Gordon Murray, the McLaren F1. Murray took the common design concept of low weight and high power to new extremes, using high-tech materials such as carbon fiber, titanium, magnesium, gold and Kevlar in the construction of the vehicle. The F1 was the first production car to use a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and a three-seat configuration with the driver in the center. The car was engineered, designed and built by McLaren, and used used the V12 S70/2 engine from BMW for power. At the time the F1 was introduced, the world’s fastest car was the Jaguar XJ220, with a top speed of 217 mph. The F1 obliterated that record, eventually resetting the world’s fastest production car record to 241 mph in 1998. McLaren’s engineering prowess was clearly demonstrated not only by breaking the record by an incredible 24 mph, but because it took another seven years before their record was broken.
The McLaren 12C is the first ever production car wholly designed and built by McLaren. Introduced in September 2009 and launched mid-2011, the 12C marked McLaren’s full-time entry to making road going supercars. The engineering capabilities of the company were evident throughout this new car, using a carbon fiber composite chassis, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and Formula 1-sourced technology of brake-steer, where the inside rear wheel is automatically braking during fast cornering to reduce understeer. The engine was McLaren’s own 3.8 L design, utilizing twin turbochargers to produce 592 HP. One of the most impressive features of this supercar is the suspension, which is a hydraulic configuration with high and low pressure valves interconnected to all four wheels, eliminates the use of typical anti-roll bars. The result is a more firm and competent suspension for spirited driving, and a plush, compliant and comfortable ride in normal conditions and the best driving supercar in its class. Performance was just as impressive, with 0-60 times of 2.8 seconds and 0-100 in just 6.0 seconds. Top speed is rated by the factory at “only” 207 mph, but the car has been independently tested at over 215 mph.
THIS CAR
This car was sold new by Lake Forest Sportscars and delivered to California in February, 2012, making it one of the first 12C’s on the West coast. The car is finished in McLaren’s signature Volcano Orange paint, which is the same color used on the 12C’s marketing promotions for McLaren’s entry into the production car market. The interior is combination of leather and alcantara, in black with orange contrast stitching. Power comes from the rear, mid-mounted 3.8 L twin-turbo V8, which has been upgraded through the dealer by McLaren from the original 592 HP to now produce 616 HP. Because it is an early-production car, it has the rare and more collectible feature of hand-swipe to open the doors.
Standard features include ProActive Chassis Control with dashboard selected Normal, Sport and Track modes, two-piece aluminum disc brakes and an active rear spoiler that serves as an airbrake under hard braking conditions to aid in stability. Driving aids include ABS, traction control and launch control, and the signature single-hinged dihedral doors open out an upward for a gullwing-like look.
This car had a base price of $229,000 and was ordered with over $65,000 in optional equipment, for a total sticker price of $296,915. Options include carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber outside mirrors, carbon fiber turning vanes, carbon fiber diffuser, carbon fiber engine bay panels and covers, sport exhaust, stealth-finish cast wheels, carbon ceramic brakes (a $13,130 option) heated and memory seats, carbon fiber interior upgrade, premium Meridian sound system, carbon fiber sill panels, and front and rear parking sensors.
This car was selected by the prestigious The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering to be featured on display in their Super Cars class at the 2013 show in Carmel, Californa. With only one owner from new, that car has been used regularly but sparingly, with less than 9,000 original miles.
PRICE: On Request