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McLaren Boss admits the McLaren F1 successor won’t be fixated on top speed
  Now that all the problems with the MP4-12C supercar have been solved and the car is officially on sale, McLaren is focusing on their next major debut: the successor of the legendary F1. In a recent interview, McLaren boss, Ron Dennis, offered new details on the MP4-27 supercar (code-named P12). He confirmed that the new model will be unveiled in May 2012 and that it won’t try to break any existing speed record. In fact, he says, "“Don’t get fixated by top speed. That’s the first thing you have to discard in today’s society.” The new P12 will, however, be "the world’s most technologically advanced supercar." The car will be built on the same carbon fiber central structure (monocell) as the MP4-12C and will use the same twin turbo V8 engine, with an increased capacity and output. It will feature a conventional two-seater layout and completely different styling when compared to the Mp4-12C. "What you’ve got to have is a complete package of performance," he says. "You’ve got to embrace technologies that are out there that are accepted, and some that don’t even exist. I can tell you our next car has many things on it that don’t exist at the moment." The McLaren MP4-27 will be built in a limited number of 300-500 units and will be more expensive than previous models. Dennis says the company hopes it "will be hailed as the most innovative, creative supercar of its time." Are you the new McLaren F1 successor?
The press days for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show are now over and in the midst of the McLaren MP4-12C stealing the show in terms of tuning packages, McLaren is already working on another supercar: the replacement for the legendary McLaren F1. Known as the MP4-27, or the Mega-Mac, the new supercar was revealed by a Thai edition of CAR magazine. This is surely just a rendering of the car, but it will definitely help get a good picture of what’s to come. The new MP4-27 was designed by McLaren;s Design Chief, Frank Stephenson, and is believed to feature a very futuristic appearance. Under the hood, McLaren will be placing an upgraded version of the MP4-12C’s 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 engine which will have its output pushed closer to 800 HP. The official debut for the new McLaren MP4-27 will be made this May at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix, but sales won’t begin until later in 2014. 2012 McLaren MP4-12C Gemballa GT by Gemballa
German tuner Gemballa is returning to the auto show scene with a specially designed McLaren MP4-12C. Called the Gemballa GT, this British super car is different from the Gemballa GT3 that they previewed late last year and also the first non-Porsche model to be badged with the ’GT’ monicker. It was given a noticeable aesthetic upheaval that Gemballa CEO Andreas Schwarz says will improve on the MP4-12C’s otherwise "generic look" and "imbue some of the missing emotion" that the supercar should have possessed in the first place. "Our starting point is an aerodynamic styling kit and ultra-light forged alloy wheels, and we are developing an engine upgrade programme as well," Schwarz said. For now, the Gemballa GT possesses a new aero kit that consists of a new front bumper and spoiler, new side skirts, a new rear apron, and a small rear wing, all of which are proudly German made and were built with the purpose of improving the MP4-12C’s high-speed stability. They are fitted to the factory mounting points so the original bodywork is not compromised. Rounding out the exterior changes are a new set of 20" forged alloy wheels at the front and 21" sets at the rear, both of which were designed to fill the arches and give the supercar a more muscular stance, while further increasing mechanical grip. According to Gemballa, the performance modifications done on the MP4-12C are still under development, but rest assured, it’s going to be something akin to what we expect these guys are capable of. 2012 McLaren MP4-1C Terso by FAB Design
The McLaren MP4-12C has become a tuning favorite at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Now it appears that FAB Design is joining in on the MP4-12C love. The Swiss tuner has prepared their very first program for the McLaren supercar and to their credit, it’s mighty impressive. Called the MP4-12C Terso, the supercar comes with plenty of new digs, particularly on the aerodynamic and performance ends. FAB Design’s MP4-12C aero kit is made up of a new front skirt with larger air intakes, new side skirts, redesigned side air intakes, a new rear bumper and diffuser, and a new rear spoiler that goes over the top of the stock spoiler McLaren fitted into the MP4-12C. Rounding out the exterior enhancements are a new set of 20" FAB-Design Evolution three-part forged wheels wrapped in Dunlop SP SportMaxx tires. Interior modifications are entirely up to the customer’s preference to which they can choose from a variety of high-end materials, including leather, Alcantara, carbon, or aluminum. Under the hood of the MP4-12C lies an impressive performance upgrade. Thanks to a new in-house stainless steel sports exhaust and a three-chamber carbon tail pipe, FAB Design was able to boost the MP4-12C’s output from 592 horsepower and 443 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 680 horsepower and 527 lb/ft of torque. These output improvements allow the MP4-12C Terso to hit 0-62 mph in just 3 seconds to go with a new top speed of 213 mph. 2012 McLaren MP4-12C memoR by Hamann
Out of all the tuning packages that have graced the Geneva Auto Show’s floor, the packages for the McLaren MP4-12C seem to be the ones that are stealing the spotlight in Geneva. One of the more impressive packages is being offered by Mansory, but the "memoR" package from Hamann looks even better than that. While the new MP4-12C has been criticized very often of having a design that is "too arbitrary and too little on its own," Hamann decided to get the car back to its F1 roots. For this, the front air intakes, the cross section of the hood, the rear side panel, and the sill area were all redesigned. Then, the company added a large front splitter, upper and side wheel arch forced vents, door sills, and an extended rear diffuser. A large rear wing ensures the necessary aerodynamic balance, while the rear end gets a triple exhaust system for a more menacing sound from the vehicle’s 3.8-liter V8 engine. Speaking of the sports car’s engine, it received absolutely zero updates, leaving it with its standard 592 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 443 lb/ft of torque between 3,000 to 6,500 rpm. This is, of course, the area where we would prefer the tuning kit by Mansory which bumped up the engine’s output significantly. UPDATE 05/24/12: Hamann has released a new set of photos for the McLaren MP4-12C memoR, which you can check out in the gallery! 2012 McLaren MP4-12C High Sport
McLaren showed up to the Pebble beach Concours d’Elégance in July 2011 with the announcement of its McLaren Special Operation Program - a program that would offer their customers the chance to customize their MP4-12C in any way they desire. The first model to receive the special treatment was an MP4-12C in a Volcano Orange exterior finish and now we have the second model to don the changes. The second MP4-12C to receive these modifications is called the High Sport and features exterior and interior updates, as well as an extra 75 HP. Clearly, the exterior benefited from the exquisite orange paint finish, but it also received a new rear bumper with rear vents inspired from the MP4-12C GT3 race car, an extended diffuser, and a modified active rear wing. The MP4-12C also received a redesigned front nose in order to maximize downforce. The extra 75 HP was achieved by increasing the airflow to the turbo intercoolers. The McLaren MP4-12C High Sport is limited to only 5 units and is now available in Miami dealerships. McLaren hasn’t announced pricing for these special edition units, but expect to pay an extra 50%, at least, over the car’s standard price of about $230,000. UPDATE 03/05/2012: McLaren has released the official photos of the uber limited MP4-12C. Only five models of this special edition McLaren supercar have been made so if you had any dreams of owning one, you’re going to be left out because all five have already been spoken for. Photos come courtesy of McLaren Special Operations’ official photographer, Tomirri Photography. Hit the jump to watch a video of the McLaren MP4-12C High Sport. Full story 2012 McLaren MP4-12C by Mansory
A Geneva Motor Show isn’t at all complete without the participation of one of the best tuners in the world, one that also calls Switzerland its home. Days before the opening of one of the biggest auto shows in the world, we finally get an idea what Mansory has up its sleeve. One of their Geneva presentations is a new program for the McLaren MP4-12C, which comes complete with a full aero kit and a significant performance upgrade. Diving into the body package, the British supercar received a host of new components, all of which were designed to deliver improved aerodynamics. The ultralight bonnet with exposed carbon fiber sections and the proprietary daytime driving lights are a good place to start. The program also comes with a new front and rear apron, new mirror housings, newly designed side sills, a new rear wing profile, and a new diffuser. All the components of this aero kit are made of carbon fiber, providing improved acceleration and braking power, while also improving the supercar’s fuel consumption due to the drastic weight savings. As for the interior, Mansory knows only to use the finest materials in their programs and it’s no exception on the MP4-12C, thanks to plenty of high-quality leather stitched with contrasting thread by the in-house saddlery. In addition, there are also plenty of carbon fiber elements, as well as a newly designed airbag sports steering wheel and aluminum pedals. The last part of the program involves the MP4-12C’s 3.8-liter V8 engine. Thanks to a new high-performance exhaust system, a new engine-management system, and a sports air filter with increased air through flow, Mansory was able to increase the MP4-12C’s output from the stock 592 horsepower @ 7,000rpm and 443 lb/ft of torque between 3,000 to 6,500rpm all the way up to 661 horsepower and 498 lb/ft of torque, culminating in a new top speed of 220 mph. Updated 03/06/2012: We have added a new set of images from the car’s official debut in Geneva. Check the picture gallery to see all the images. McLaren MP4-27 supercar could make debut at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix
McLaren’s future crown jewel supercar, called the "MP4-27", hasn’t been stopped in any way shape or form out on the roads - even through the lenses of some of the best carparazzis in the world. But the latest rumblings surrounding the McLaren F1’s successor is that McLaren will be using a unique event to debut the MP4-27. And no, it won’t be in any of the world’s biggest auto shows. Instead, the word going around is that the McLaren MP4-27 will be unveiled at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. The event, which will take place from May 24 to 27, 2012, is the glitziest race in the F1 calendar and, when you really think about it, is an appropriate venue for the MP4-27 to be unveiled. Nothing spells glamour and luxury quite like Monaco, and if the MP4-27 is everything it’s being touted to be, then it has to makings to have an extravagant world debut. As far as the car itself, there have been plenty of rumors going around as to what it looks like, but the safest description, albeit one that’s still reaching for straws, is that it will be "bigger, angrier, and more functional-looking" than the MP4-12C. McLaren illustrates that with a reported 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces an output of 800 horsepower with a top speed of 260 mph. 2011 McLaren MP4-12C
Any fan of supercars remembers the mighty F1 from McLaren. With its BMW sourced V12, center seat driving position and gold lined engine cover the car was truly exotic. It held many records and for longer than most other machines are able to. It shot the company right to the top of the automotive stratosphere and helped them grow into a healthy and sustainable racing company. Several years ago McLaren spent a reported 300 billion pounds to design and build the McLaren Technology Center meant to encompass all aspects of the company. That was finished back in 2003, so what have they been up to in Woking, England for the past 7 years? Quite simply they have been designing the next and possibly most formidable challenger to the Ferrari 458 Italia. Engineers and designers at McLaren are currently developing several new and highly innovative sports cars to bring to the global market. The MP 4-12C is now in production signaling the beginning of the rebirth of a company that has not had a distinct production vehicle for over a decade. Its stunning performance and efficiency have caught the eyes of the automotive press since McLaren first began testing mules at their facility and now we get to see it in final form. UPDATE 05/23/2012: McLaren has unveiled a cool video featuring their latest MP4-12C supercar in high speed action over a stunning desert landscape, and on track at the incredible Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Enjoy! Hit the jump for more details on the 2011 McLaren MP 4-12C. Full story 2012 McLaren MP4-12C "Toxique Evil" by Wheelsandmore
Luxury tuner Wheelandmore knows a thing or two about giving super cars some added juice, and their new program for the McLaren MP4-12C, dubbed "Toxique Evil", gives us even more indication as to how these guys have carved a reputation as one of the industry’s best tuning companies. The first order of business for the MP4-12C was to lower the suspension system to which Wheelsandmore accomplished that by dropping the supercar’s PCC complex electronic hydraulic suspension system by another 25mm, resulting in improved steering and overall handling of the mighty McLaren. From there, Wheelsandmore dressed up the MP4-12C’s exterior with a Trim-Line-Design stripe running the length of the car while also fitting in a new set of 20" and 21" 6Sporz ² ultralight-forged wheels wrapped in Continental Sport Contact 5P tires. Under the hood of the MP4-12C, Wheelsanmore cracked their knuckles and began work on the 3.8-liter V8 bi-turbo engine, adding a handcrafted exhaust system with remote-able exhaust valves and optimizing the car’s control electronics, thus increasing the output of the supercar from its standard 600-horsepower output and 443 lb/ft of torque numbers all the way up to 666 horsepower - hence the name Toxique Evil - and 472 lb/ft of torque. And if that’s not sinister enough for you, Wheelsandmore is in the process of developing a turbo and intercooler upgrade that, when finished, will bump up the output to a vicious 800 horsepower. Sounds diabolically evil to us. | featured reviews:Mclaren cars reviews2014 2013 2012
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