McLaren Automotive, the road car division of the McLaren motorsport group, is on the verge of launching its first all-new model in decades: the MP4-12C. It’s hard to believe that the company’s last model is now more than 20 years old. That’s right, the legendary McLaren F1 supercar has just turned 20 and to celebrate the occasion the British sports car company is planning a host of events.

In 1988, McLaren took the decision to expand from F1 and design and build what it describes as “the finest sports car the world had ever seen”. In March of 1990 the team that was to create the F1 came together for the first time. Just two years later, the McLaren F1 road car was launched to the world in May 1992 in Monaco, with the first production car delivered to its proud owner in December 1993. In its 20th anniversary year, the McLaren F1 is considered by many to be one of the greatest cars of all time and to this day it’s still the fastest naturally aspirated production road car in the world.

The F1 was launched at a price of £540 000 (approximately R6 million) in 1994, and over the course of the next four years sixty-four F1, five F1 LM and three F1 GT road cars were produced, together with twenty-eight F1 GTR race cars. An additional six prototypes were produced.

In 1998, with a total of 106 of all variants built and its production run complete, the McLaren F1 went on to achieve its greatest feat outside competitive motorsport. McLaren development and race driver, Andy Wallace, took XP5, the fifth and final prototype F1 with some 45 000 hard test miles on the clock, to the Ehra-Lessien proving ground in Germany. It was there on 31st March 1998 that the howling V12 propelled him to an amazing 384.16 km/h (240.1 mph). Over 12 years later, this remains a world record for a naturally aspirated production car.

Enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see both the F1 and MP4-12C together at this summer’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, which kicks off on July 2.

Source: McLaren

Ahead of the MP4-12C’s global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, McLaren Automotive has announced the city and market locations for its global retail network. McLaren’s dealer network will initially include 35 retail locations, but will continue to expand in 2012.

North America will account for 8 of those initial dealerships, with another two to be added by the end of 2010. Locations for McLaren’s North American retail stores will eventually include Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa and Toronto.

McLaren will establish 13 European retail outlets, with another 8 planned for the Middle-East and South Africa. Another four stores will be established in the Asia-Pacific region.

“This is a landmark day for McLaren Automotive as we confirm the locations of the first of our partners that will represent us around the world,” Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive’s Managing Director, said. “It has been incredibly encouraging to experience the demand to sell McLarens from the world’s best car retailers – in every country in which we planned to launch and at the heart of all performance car markets.”

The MP4-12C is scheduled to go on sale in the spring of 2011. McLaren says it already has about 2 900 prospective buyers interested in the supercar, which should keep the British automaker quite busy as McLaren will only have the initial capacity to produce about 1 000 MP4-12C’s per year.

Adapted from LeftLaneNews

In September last year, McLaren released the first images of their MP4-12C supercar. Now the company has  released the first details and video, of the new XP8 and XP10 models under going testing. The McLaren XP8 and XP10 are two prototypes of future models that are currently undergoing independent testing with Applus IDIADA, as well as on public roads in Spain. The two prototypes, the McLaren XP8 and the McLaren XP10, represent the final phase of the development of the McLaren MP4-12C.

Unfortunately, both the McLaren XP8 and the McLaren XP10 are camouflaged with matt black vinyl. Some of the details released by the company say the McLaren XP8 and the McLaren XP10 are equipped with revised version of the M838T twin-turbo engine, transmission featuring new gear ratios, a more efficient cooling package, new suspension geometry and upgraded electrical architecture.

Take a look at the press release for details of the rigorous testing program.

Press Release (Click to expand)

It’s being hailed as the ultimate, most advanced road car Ferrari has ever made.

Aiming to leave exotic rivals including the Lamborghini Reventón and Bugatti Veyron trailing, the ferocious flagship will break from the norm in more ways than one. And the illustraions show how such a model could look.

It will be not only quicker and more focused than the Enzo, but smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient, too. In addition, the latest rumours suggest a twin-turbo V8 will provide the power. It will be the first use of turbos in a production Ferrari since the 1987 F40, making this the spiritual successor to that definitive hypercar.

Internally codenamed the F70, the newcomer will use knowledge gathered from the FXX scheme. This invited customers to buy a pumped-up and stripped-out version of the Enzo for GBP1.5 million, but allowed them to drive their purchases only on approved track days. Afterwards, they briefed Ferrari on possible improvements.

The philosophy behind this new downsized and lightweight hypercar is derived from 2007’s Millechilli concept. Although little more than a fibreglass model, it demonstrated Ferrari’s aim to increase the performance of future models by shedding weight, not by hiking power.

Millechilli means 1 000 kg in Italian. It’s an ambitious target for the F70’s kerbweight – a full 365 kg less than the Enzo – but Ferrari is ready to apply every weight-saving measure possible.

Rival McLaren is leading the way in lightweight construction, with an F1-style carbon fibre tub forming the basis of its MP4-12C supercar, so Ferrari wants to regain the initiative in this area.

An overhauled and shrunken tub, carbon fibre body panels – plus carbon-ceramic brakes and a no-frills cabin – should keep weight to a minimum. Ferrari already heads efforts to reduce CO2, having slashed output by 10 per cent in 2009. It promises further cuts from its current 387 g/km average by 2012.

But reducing body mass alone won’t be enough to achieve this. To slash CO2 significantly, the engine also needs an advanced design. The Enzo’s V12 will make way for a new direct-injection twin-turbo V8 – the same layout as in the legendary F40. Output is likely to be on a par with the Enzo’s 485 kW, but that lower weight should put performance on another level. Expect a three-second 0 to 100 km/h time and top speed in excess of 368 km/h.

A twin-turbo V6 is also under consideration, to replace the 458 Italia and California’s V8’s. Yet before either unit is signed off, engineers are keen to eliminate turbo lag. The F40 was famous for the delay between throttle inputs and the arrival of a savage wave of torque. But Ferrari claims it won’t resort to turbos again until it’s perfected the technology to give the instant response for which its naturally aspirated cars are renowned.

One option is electric or hybrid chargers. These use a small electric motor to spool the turbos up to operating speeds much faster than in a normal set-up, where exhaust gas has to be recirculated.

The result is a virtual elimination of turbo lag and a linear power delivery that will be familiar to owners of current Ferraris. Just like the Enzo, the F70 will be strictly limited to a production run of 399 examples, adhering to Ferrari’s philosophy of always building one less car than you think you can sell. But not just anyone will be able to put their name on the waiting list. Buyers will need to be personally invited by Ferrari to dish out the multi-million rand (GBP600 000) asking price when the car goes on sale in 2012.

Adapted from AutoExpress

It’s only just been revealed… but the new McLaren has already blown its top! The Surrey-based company is planning to produce a Spyder version of its MP4-12C supercar. And here is an exclusive look at how the stunning drop-top will look.

Going head-to-head with the Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and forthcoming Mercedes SLS AMG Cabriolet, the McLaren will boast a retractable hard-top, potentially the work of convertible expert Webasto. Layouts released of the firm’s new Woking factory show that an area of the facility has been devoted to ‘RHT [retractable hard-top] Sub Assembly’.

The tiny hood is likely to be made from lightweight aluminium or even carbon fibre, and will fold away behind the occupants’ heads ahead of the engine, slotting neatly beneath a pair of sporty buttresses. The Spyder is unlikely to weigh much more than its fixed-roof brother.

It will be powered by the same 447 kW 3,8-litre twin-turbo V8, and should reach 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and accelerate on to 320 km/h – with the roof on, of course. But the model won’t come cheap – buyers will have to pay a significant premium over the GBP150 000 coupé version, with prices likely to start at around GBP175 000.

Adapted from AutoExpress

It’s been a long time coming, but today we can finally bring you the first official photographs and news of the new McLaren MP4-12C. It’s the supercar known until now by its P11 codename, but make no mistake: the MP4-12C is the first bespoke McLaren road car since the seminal F1.

The two-seater MP4-12C doesn’t go on sale until early 2011, when it’ll wade into what McLaren Automotive calls the ‘core sports car market’ spanning from GBP125 000 – GBP175 000. Expect a pricetag of around GBP160 000, pitching it a notch above Ferrari’s new 458 Italia.

Why so expensive? Blame the extensive – and expensive – use of carbon fibre, a technology McLaren first introduced to roadcarkind in 1993’s F1. McLaren calls the skeleton of the MP4-12C the Carbon MonoCell, an unusually light one-piece structure where most supercars normally use assembled composite architectures. Although pricey, it’s developed using a much quicker, cheaper production method than the McMerc SLR’s tub, and it’s clothed in aluminium and SMC plastic body panels. The tub pictured in our gallery weighs just 80kg.

No kerbweight has yet been issued, but it’ll be in the region of 1 300 kg’s, helped by conventional brakes whose forged aluminium hubs save 8kg and – incredibly – weigh less than ceramic stoppers.

The new McLaren is powered by a 3,8-litre 90-degree V8 mid-mounted engine producing ‘around 447 kW and 600 N.m’. “It delivers the highest horsepower to CO2 ratio of any car on the market today with an internal combustion engine – and that includes petrol and diesel hybrids,” boasts Antony Sheriff, MD of McLaren Automotive. Expect a CO2 output somewhere just south of 300g/km.

Contrary to earlier speculation, this is McLaren’s own V8, dubbed M838T. FThe twin-turbo motor drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (no manual is available). The V8 has a dry sump and a flat-plane crank like a race engine, to lower the centre of gravity and allow a higher rev limit of 8 500 rpm.

Every single component of the MP4-12C is unique, vows McLaren. Not a single switch or part is pilfered from a rival’s parts bin.

McLaren claims that 80% of the MP4-12C’s torque is available below 2 000 rpm, so it’ll be damned quick. Actual performance figures aren’t available yet, but we hear the 0 – 100 km/h time will be in the low 3 second bracket and it seems certain that the MP4-12C will top 320 km/h with ease.

McLaren is making use of a few electronic nannies to help keep the car pointed in the right direction. Brake Steer uses the stability control to dial out understeer by braking the inside rear wheel, but McLaren claims there are remarkably few microchips at play; instead, they prefer an aerodynamically sound body to help keep the MP4-12C planted. There are no protruding spoilers or air dams, the underfloor is flat and those kiwi tick air vents on the flanks are 100% functional. (Check out the tick motif repeated on the LED day running lights).

There’s also a new gadget on the twin-clutch Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG – another acronym like DSG!). It has two wet clutches and something called Pre-Cog. Rather than guessing which ratio you’ll pick next – like most dual-clutch ‘boxes – you half press or pull the paddle to warn the car, like on an auto-focus camera. That ratio is then selected and – bang – you’re into the desired cog almost instantly.

If you’re wondering where the name comes from, the MP4 bit is the chassis designation of all McLaren Formula 1 cars since 1981 – harking back to the merger from Ron Dennis’ Project 4 organisation. The twelve refers to McLaren’s internal benchmarking system for rating its own cars and rivals, ranking power, weight, efficiency and so forth. The C apparently refers to carbon, although we wonder if it shouldn’t stand for coupé as there will be a roadster MP4-12 too.

At the rear, the MP4-12C’s rump is dominated by the V8’s cooling needs; the diffuser aids rear downforce, twin exhausts exit high and central, and most of the back end is left open to extract hot air, while the rear lamps are cleverly hidden in the top two horizontal black bars. An air brake pops up at speed to improve stopping ability. Cleverly, it’s raised by passing air flow once triggered, rather than relying on heavy mechanicals.

Inside the MP4-12C, the upright 7-inch multimedia screen dominates the centre console, and the view ahead is clear and unencumbered compared with many supercars. There are some gizmos in the cabin: launch control primes the car for take-off at velocity, while drivers can pick Normal, Sport and High Performance settings for throttle response, gearshift speed and damper settings.

Adapted from CarMagazine

The International Motor Show, or Frankfurt Motor Show, is the world’s largest motor show. It is held every two years in Frankfurt, Germany and this year, from 17 – 27 of September, the 63rd exhibition takes place.

The 2010 Volkswagen R20 Golf, Mini Coupe Concept, Fiat Punto Evo, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and brand new Bugatti Bordeaux car are just a few of the top cars making up Frankfurt’s stellar line-up. But are any of them good enough to make it into our Top 10 cars hitting the showroom floor?

Join us as we run through ten cars you should take note of at the 2009 International Motor Show.

(Click to reveal...)

Adapted from Orange

The “20 ways F1 is Changing our World” museum exhibit in London, online.

“The trickle down effect.” “Technology for street cars.” As F1 fans, we are told the most expensive cars in the world have technologies that will eventually reach our measly road cars. Quick, think of five. Not so easy, the first thing that always comes to mind: the paddle shifter.

The Science Museum in South Kensington, London has a roundup of 20 technologies that they believe have spilled over not only to the automobile realm, but everyday items.

Sciencemuseum.org says:

“This temporary exhibition showcases 20 examples where F1™ technology is impacting on our lives, from changing the way we look after patients and design our sports equipment, to maintaining the heating systems in our homes.

The exhibition will feature unique items such as the Baby Pod II, Solar B Solar Probe and Ovei Wellbeing Capsule. The Ovei Capsule has been developed by McLaren Applied Technologies.”

The website has pictures and further details on each tech item. Oddly, the site says there are twenty items/themes that will be on display, but their website has 19:

1. A new F1-inspired training bike for serious athletes
2. Using F1 technology to keep us safe on the road
3. Using F1 materials to design a new seat for military vehicles
4. Using racetrack ideas to develop a lightweight leg brace
5. Monitoring patient health with the help of racetrack telemetry
6. A fishing line influenced by racing car tyre design
7. Making road cars ‘greener’ with the help of modern flywheel technology
8. A magnetic filter to trap rust in central heating systems
9. New diagnostic tool designed with the help of F1 engineers
10. Using motorsport technology to rapidly refuel military vehicles
11. Using F1 ideas to develop slip-resistant footwear
12. The world’s first commercially available ‘monocoque’ wheelchair
13. Transporting sick babies with the help of F1
14. Special ceramic coating to protect cars from heat damage
15. Searching for life on Mars with the help of F1 materials
16. Using hi-tech materials to monitor solar activity
17. Building the perfect table with the help of F1
18. A F1-inspired staircase
19. Using pit-stop expertise to transfer patients to intensive care units
20. ?

Adapted from 0-60Mag

Of course there is no real Sultan of Michigan, it’s just the nickname of a collector who wishes to remain very private. It’s easy to understand why. With everything from classic US muscle cars to a Lamborghini Reventon, this man has a collection that truly does rival an oil-rich Arab.

So sit back, relax and pretend that a few of these amazing cars are yours.

Also have a look at the video tour of the collection.

Adapted from TopSpeed