An enhanced version of the McLaren 12C is set to be launched this year. Autocar understands that the new car will sit above the 12C in McLaren’s line-up and will be sold as a stand-alone model. It is said to deliver on-road performance that will exceed that of the recently launched Ferrari 458 Speciale.
Although McLaren declined to comment on the story, a source told Autocar that the car would be based around the same carbonfibre Monocell as the 12C and would be powered by a modified version of the same engine, tuned to about 650bhp.
Standard carbon-ceramic brakes and a host of other performance-enhancing modifications are expected.
It’s also anticipated that the new car will be styled very differently from the 12C, with McLaren taking the opportunity to create a car that takes more styling influence from its range-topping McLaren P1 hypercar. In particular, the P1’s front end is said to be seen as a feature on all future McLaren road cars. The interior will also be uprated.
The styling changes are said to significantly improve the aerodynamic performance of the car. “The 12C is already incredible, but the P1 was designed as the ultimate car aerodynamically, and those lessons can help every car in the range,” said the source.
The £208,000 Ferrari 458 Speciale has 597bhp and delivers 398lb ft of torque from its V8 engine. It weighs 1395kg, records a 0-62mph time of 3.0sec and has a top speed of 202mph.
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McLaren over Ferrari.
As much as I respect the 458 and what Ferrari have managed to produce over the years I'd have the McLaren MP4-12C over the Ferrari. The precision of the build, the way it pulls itself in to corners, it's sharp looks, and quite frankly it's less pretentious nature, all attract me to the McLaren. It's the British understatement that quietly delivers as apposed to the flare of the Italians that doesn't quite.
British understatement
Agreed. McLaren is a prime example of the British understatement. Had any other car maker put together such a well balanced super car, they wouldn't have stopped talking about it.
Symanski wrote:Orangewheels
That's quite interesting reasoning, but the real reason is that you're a McLaren fan and massively biased in that direction. I notice you inject some nationalism to support your argument, even though your claim is unsubstantiated. The Ferrari is preferred to the McLaren in the vast majority of road tests.
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I wonder if....