Goodwood: McLaren MP4 launched

McLaren has given its MP4-12C its world public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The new V8 supercar has taken part in Friday morning's first supercar run at the Festival and will be driven by both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton throughout the weekend.

See the pics of the McLaren MP4 in action at Goodwood

The MP4 is now entering its final stages of development - having completed more than one million test miles on five continents - and building work is underway at the McLaren Production Centre where the car will be built from early 2011, although initial production will commence at the McLaren Technology Centre later this year.

The MP4 has been given a target price of less than £175,000, and company boss Ron Dennis has pledged that buyers will not only get the fastest car money can buy, but also the highest build quality and highest level of dealer and aftersales support from any car manufacturer.

The MP4’s Ricardo-developed twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre 90-degree V8 engine will rev to 8500rpm, with its maximum 592bhp output arriving at 7000rpm. The peak 442lb ft of torque is available from 3000rpm, although 80 per cent is available between 2000-6500rpm.

McLaren says the car will travel from 0-124mph in less than ten seconds, and stop from 124mph in less than five seconds. It will stop from 100mph in 30 metres - or seven car lengths.

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