McLaren MP4 - new details + pics

McLaren’s all-new MP4-12C supercar will be lighter, greener, more efficient and more powerful than both its key rivals, the Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes SLS AMG, when it arrives in UK showrooms early next year.

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.

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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.

Initially 35 dealers will be set up worldwide - whittled down from an intial shortlist of 600. Cars will be available to order in two to three months time according to McLaren, which it has already had 1600 serious expressions of interest in buying the car.

MD Anthony Sheriff also stressed that McLaren has no desire to become a volume manufacturer: "We do not want the volumes of our rivals," he said, "we want exclusivity."

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. By comparison, the 458 produces 562bhp and 398lb ft and the SLS 563bhp and 479lb ft from their V8 engines.

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

McLaren also says the MP4’s CO2 emissions will be sub-300g/km, less than the 458’s 307g/km and SLS’s 314g/km.

Power is sent to the rear wheels of through a bespoke twin-clutch seven-speed gearbox. Gears are selected using an F1-style aluminium rocker style that pivots off the centre of the steering wheel. Normal, sport and track driving modes are selectable within two different customisable configurations. H (Handling) alters the steering weight, stability control and suspension and roll stiffness while P (Powertrain) alters throttle response, engine acoustics and gearshift times and feel.

It uses a carbon composite monocoque to help keep weight to a minimum. McLaren claims the MP4 has a dry weight of less than 1300kg and lightweight materials have been used wherever possible to save weight, including the brakes, wiring and bodywork. Even with fluids on board, McLaren says the MP4 will be lighter than the 1485kg 458 and the 1620kg SLS.