The Motor Forum

Richard (ex-MB_insider) · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:05 am Post subject: McLaren MP4-12C

The MP4-12C is powered by a bespoke 3.8-litre twin turbo 90-degree V8 mounted amidships and producing ‘around 600bhp and 443lb ft’.

BeN · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

Nice.

In a Lamborghini-Noble-ish kinda way.
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Gurney · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:32 am Post subject:

Not bad, I like the door sided instrument panel idea. This new suspension design sounds interesting as well.
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Guitar Zero · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:56 am Post subject:

Looks like a mishmash of the Gallardo and the 360.

I don't suppose there is much you can do with a mid engined supercar now - they all have very similar proportions.

It's all in the detail - which in this instance is very poor :

Exhibit A - the plastic grey bits at the front

Exhibit B - the wheels, urgh.

Exhibit C - the same weird plastic grey stuff between the spoiler and the numberplate at the back - and are those two nostril things supposed to be exhausts ???. What's wrong with good old fashioned exhaust pipes ??

BTW - have you seen the gap between the rear wheel and the arch ?

If Gordon Murray has been involved in this, I hope it tanks like a big tanky thing.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:57 am Post subject:

That is nicer than I expected from the spy shots. And sadly shows up the Noble for the amateur effort it is, styling-wise at least. Good to see they've retained the F1 doors.

DarthBalls · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:41 am Post subject:

"him" · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:25 am Post subject:

I don't like that much at all, and I so wanted to...

Dead on from the front it looks good, but there are too many jarring details, such as the exhausts, the rear wing and the vents behind the engine.

I am sure the "tech" will be great, but the styling lets it down.
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Racing · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:42 am Post subject:

woof woof · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:53 am Post subject:

It may be a bit generic mid engined supercar and I don't like the front grill and that funny upper lip thing but overall I like it.

Not in that colour though.
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woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

It's a pity the wheels are conventional five-stud, not centre-lock like the F1 (or the new GT3, for that matter).

Gurney · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:47 am Post subject:

BeN · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:51 am Post subject:

One more thing. The name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it?

MP4-12C. Sounds so technical.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:55 am Post subject:

woof woof · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:08 am Post subject:

Darth - "Don't the various renderings of the next Lotus Esprit also look very similar to these pics as well?"

Not if it ends up looking like this -

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woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

DarthBalls · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:21 am Post subject:

BeN · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:52 am Post subject:

"him" · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:56 am Post subject:

Still when the inevitable updated version arrives, you can say you don't want a "Macca-D" either...
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Scouse · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject:

Guitar Zero · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject:

Flat plane crank turbo V8 and no manual gearbox.

Double yuk

So it looks crap and will sound crap - what happened to all the Murray guff about the purity of natural aspiration ?
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Previous convictions :

2006 Focus ST 2.5
2001 BMW 520i
2002 Focus 2.0 zetec
1999 Fiat Punto

Eff One · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject:

I like the simple look of the interior a lot. Exterior is a bit hit and miss but losing the grey plastic and a different colour would lift it.

Sounds fascinating under the skin though I'm surprised to see turbos.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:52 pm Post subject:

Pkh72 · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject:

Parm · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject:

Not a patch on the F1, but I think it looks OK.
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woof woof · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject:

"It seems to be taking some time to appear."

There are lots around but as they're so stealthy you just don't see them.
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woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

Blarno · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject:

Generic mid-engined fluff.

And a gayboy gearbox.

Missed opportunity. Flat plane V8s are fine, if you like your V8 to sound like 2 XR3i engines in the same bay....
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Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:25 pm Post subject:

I like that, and the colour too.

Why to British low volume car manufacturers always seem to show their new models in LHD?
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Big TC · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:42 pm Post subject:

PG · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject:

MP4 - 12C. Sounds more like a music download format than a car.

More generic mid-engined styling (including the glass panel so you can see the engine) but the concept of the interior really appeals. It's very cockpit like and snug looking.

Matt · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:29 pm Post subject:

Not quite as sharp as a 458 Italia to my eyes, but I quite like it.

Murray is allegedly going to work on a new F1 after he releases the T25.
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Frank Bullitt · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject:

Not tickling my no-mans-land.
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woof woof · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject:

The more I look at it the more I like it. I think that the front could be less fussy though, but overall, very nice.
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woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

Grampa · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject:

The photo of the Mclaren on this weeks Autocar cover looks almost comical with eyes and a smile as though it should be in the film Cars.
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DaveGibson · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 5:03 pm Post subject:

Well, at least it has a smile and not a downturned pout like the current Ford 'face'.

Skyhook · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:39 pm Post subject:

Celica in the flat form over the rear wheel arches?
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ALF · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject:

I don't think Murray has been involved with McLaren for donkeys years.

I think it looks a bit generic mid-engined supercar and would prefer it to have an NA V10, but if McLaren are to be believed, the sort of "detail" they are worried about is not little bits of plastic but re-writing the rule book of what can be done from a performance, handling, and aero perspective at this price point. My bet is that this will piss all over the competition from a driving perspective and that journos - some of who will be able to drive the thing properly - will love it. Normal people (who won't) will then want to buy it, regardless of the fact a Gallardo would probably tick their boxes better.

Twelfth Monkey · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 1:56 pm Post subject:

The looks don't do a great deal for me, but there's many an interesting piece about the thoroughness of the engineering and the degree of comfort with which parameters have been exceeded. This could genuinely move the game on.

I suspect the turbos are to do with emissions. Isn't it supposed to produce the lowest CO2 per bhp of any petrol engine?
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"Accident Blackspot"? These aren't accidents. They're throwing themselves into the road gladly. Throwing themselves into the road to escape all this hideousness.'

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject:

The more I read about this car (especially the long piece in EVO) the more I like the sound of it. I'll be interested to hear its overall dimensions, especially width - would be nice if they can keep it down the way they did with the F1.

Scouse · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject:

Indeed. That tub is a thing of beauty
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PhilD · Running In Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 406

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:35 am Post subject:

You can now register an interest on their website, which I've done.

Skyhook · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 10:58 pm Post subject:

PhilD · Running In Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 406

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:22 am Post subject:

"him" · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

woof woof · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:35 am Post subject:

I might be wrong but I think that early buyers will be able to sell for a healthy profit. I hate it when that's done deliberately but
on the positive side it means that for genuine non speculating buyers depreciation wont be an issue.
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woof woof's defence lawyer claimed that "Booze played no part in his typo's."

Confucius says "all reckless speeding is caused by accidents."

Parm · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:

Some new pics here http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/McLaren-MP4-12C/243783/
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Clunes · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 4:11 pm Post subject:

Short video of some of the development:

http://www.imotormag.co.uk/news/3...upercar_development_on_video.html

(No doubt available elsewhere as well)