LOOKING TO KEEP fans and potential buyers engaged until its launch next year, McLaren has launched a new website revealing the inner workings of its new MP4-12C supercar.
Using a computer-generated representation of the 12C, McLaren has laid its latest supercar bare, with its carbon-fibre tub, safety structures and driving components floating in mid-air.
By clicking on highlighted areas, the website’s interface highlights related parts and offers a brief description on their role in the 12C’s operation.
McLaren Automotive Head of Marketing, Lianne Daly said: “Potential customers can now gain an understanding of why we are claiming that this car will set new performance and efficiency standards in the core sports car market.”
“Until the car is physically presented in showrooms in early 2011, this website will be the only publicly-available source of official information relating to our range of high performance sports cars.”
Taking its name from McLaren’s Formula 1 heritage, the MP4-12C is powered by a new, McLaren-designed 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 developing 447kW and 600Nm of torque. Nearly 80 percent of that torque is available from below 2000rpm.
McLaren has not revealed a specific figure for the MP4-12C’s 0-100km/h capabilities, but a sub-3.5 second run seems likely.
A carbon monocoque shell - or a ‘Carbon Monocell’ as McLaren calls it - forms the basis of the 12C’s body, developed specific for optimum strength, rigidity and light weight. Weight distribution is 43/57 front/rear.
The 2011 McLaren MP4-12C will launch in Europe from late next year to early 2011, at a price of around AU$250,000.
