McLaren Automotive is the final phase of the development of innovative high-performance sports car, which is also extremely efficient, high quality, lightweight, practical, dynamic, safe, comfortable and visually arrested. Monday January 17 2011 McLaren MP4-12C the first production car was the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC), the General Assembly Hall in Woking, England.
Twenty years of sports car design, engineering and production combined with an inspiring success in Formula 1 have been Ron Dennis, president of McLaren Automotive to announce his plans for the final line of LED technology and high performance cars based on the client for the 21st century. The rules in the world of sports cars are about to be rewritten.
Through a rich modern history, McLaren Automotive Division has already built the world's supercar, the critically acclaimed, the McLaren F1 (1993-1998), and the world's best selling luxury supercar, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2003-2009). McLaren Automotive is now looking to the future and the revolutionary new series of sports cars.
"It's a lifelong dream to launch a series of high-performance sports cars that set new standards in the industry," said Dennis.
"We started designing and building cars sports car enthusiast a car for almost 20 years ago. Incorporating the latest technology that the McLaren Group has built its various activities, I believe that we are now in an ideal location to open this new chapter in the history of McLaren, as well as to participate in the regeneration of high-tech sector in England and for the global automotive environment, "he said.
This step in designing a sports car means that the 12C present the new standards, except for management, leadership and outstanding performance, but also for the security industry, economy and practicality already competitive.
Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal showed that the McLaren motor racing and road car experience was instrumental in the development of 12C:. "McLaren has for years provided a potent mix of race car technology and road car heritage The combination of McLaren's performance and future applications of what is expected of high-performance sports cars in the 21st century we has a head start when we started this project. 12C variants, and the future, based on the spirit of Formula 1 and offers real-world technological advances. "
The first car of the new company, the McLaren MP4-12C, is a high performance two-seater mid-engined model of "core" sports car market segment cars will pay between £ 125 000 and £ 175,000. 12C is a McLaren pure, with no moving parts of the car, and produces a McLaren in the United Kingdom. It will be sold through a dedicated, worldwide network of distributors in early 2011.
"McLaren is a car manufacturer and with the maturity and experience have produced iconic cars like the F1," said Antonio Sheriff, CEO of McLaren Automotive.
"The next step was to build a variety of pure McLaren high-performance sports cars that are faithful to the philosophy and reflect our position as technology leader for absolute performance. So when we decided to 12C project, we wanted rewrite the rules of sports car design. In fact, the 12C offers the performance and technology that is more sophisticated and more expensive supercars in the world, while competing in a market segment much easier. And to achieve this, we each component designed from scratch to meet the ultimate goals of the 12C, and to avoid compromise. "
"Forget what you know about the business of sports cars, McLaren is different," he said.
Within the
The heart of the new car is carbon MonoCell. McLaren, a pioneer in the construction of carbon compounds in the 1981 Formula 1 MP4 / 1 model and define a trend that all Formula 1 teams have followed. The company has carbon fiber road car for the first time with the McLaren F1 1993 and built on this experience with a carbon fiber chassis and body of the SLR made with the same high standards, but higher volumes.
So far, remained the basis of carbon stored and the most expensive exotic cars, shopping, super-rich when the direct costs of the complexity of the design of carbon fiber frame and build.
The change in 12C by introducing the benefits of carbon composite - a lightweight, high strength and torsional stiffness, and durability - at a more affordable area with its revolutionary technology as a one piece casting. Never before has a carbon fiber chassis were produced in this way.
12C single cell not only brings the dynamic benefits, but also offers basic technology options that form the basis for the uniqueness of the car. It was designed to provide a structure much closer to all that contributes in turn to a more compact car that is easy to put on the road and more rewarding to drive.
Not only is 12C in its category by offering the technology of carbon, it also has the highest specific power and the extraordinary power and torque on the weight. More pro-active chassis control system offers revolutionary maneuverability and comfort, while an intense concentration on the packaging of occupants offers new levels of comfort and everyday usability.
Antony Sheriff explained. ". When the 12C, we are redefining the relationship between performance and practicality, as well as performance and efficiency to reach senior positions in both We designed this car from the inside out We have a saying in McLaren -." Any reason ", and 12C to surprise people in many ways.
"A clear illustration of its special qualities of the effectiveness of its power delivery. With 12C that affects approximately 600hp and low CO2 emissions, offers the highest power ratio of CO2 of all cars on the market today with an internal combustion engine ... and includes gasoline and diesel hybrids, "concluded the sheriff.
Pure McLaren
All parts of the McLaren MP4-12C is suitable and unique this car. Everything from the engine to the switches and buttons are clean McLaren: nothing came of Ben in another parts manufacturer.
"12C is about performance," said the sheriff. "And McLaren, we have a very broad definition of performance. We do not just look at the traditional one-dimensional parameters such as top speed, we focus so much useful work, such as in-gear acceleration times, braking in all conditions and the ' efficiency of power delivery, combined with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as possible. Of course, 12C is very fast, but it is also more effective, more driveable high-performance sport in the world.
"More subjective areas of leadership, management, comfort, driver involvement and daily availability, McLaren is reaching a new standard for mid-equipped with high performance sport in this area," he said.
Engineering and extensive market research has led to the concept and a clear decision in favor of a two-door mid-engined sports car. Intense work has been done in wind tunnels and the driving simulator to guarantee that the new car would be inherently has excellent driving dynamics.
Dick Glover, McLaren Automotive is technical director, has been involved in the development of these valuable tools that time, the McLaren Formula 1 racing team.
"There are so many examples of the process of competition and technology transfer in 12C," said Glover. "The car is largely due to the McLaren experience and success in motorsport to take advantage of technology transfer is only one element;. speed decision making and development processes F1 and people, all make an important contribution.
"Brake Steer, for example, is a technology that we pioneered in the back of Formula 1 car in 1997. It allows you to dial in understeer entering a corner and improves traction on the way. Another is the function of pre-cog on the transfer rocker box premiums actually ready for the next change, providing a more satisfying and moving faster. It's a sports car with racing genes and teamwork his heart. "
Design: everything for a reason
The McLaren MP4-12C design follows principles similar to the McLaren Formula 1 cars, and the legendary McLaren F1, where everything is for a reason and all the lines, surfaces and details have been designed with a job in mind as much as style. This ensures that the 12C communicates its style and engineering will become a timeless piece of automotive design.
Frank Stephenson, director of McLaren Automotive Design: "A lot of sports cars and high-end vehicles have an" in-your-face "," look-at-me ", the image can become the port and the bulk of Otherwise ultimate compliment, "... it was his time. "Great design, however, is timeless and looks at the relevant years later. Take the McLaren F1 as an example. I hope the 12C there was a car that looks great now and always look very well in the years ahead. "
The body of 12C was designed for advanced levels of industry support, which helps support then, finally, the industry-leading levels of grip and lateral stability. The airflow was manic won the support of all performance data and targets lightweight. For example, placing the radiator next to the engine holds the car and reduces weight. However, this is an enormous challenge to ensure sufficient airflow to the radiators. The result? Large side air inlets and integrated turn the blades of which are spectacular, but purely functional. There is no greater or less than necessary.
Just two "pure" lines floating around the car and when combined with the integration of several dramatic convex concave, with a car that looks compact, small and well proportioned.
The market opportunity for McLaren
"I am convinced that now is the right time for McLaren Automotive to become a full line of high performance sports car manufacturer," said Ron Dennis.
"Global demand for high performance cars is strong, much due to big cars of its main competitors. With McLaren to join this list will grow even stronger. What we offer is a new approach for market with a good, solid, debt free, and managed the risks of the company. McLaren is right to take this action now and support the future growth of high-tech manufacturing and engineering jobs in the UK " said Dennis.
Market high-performance sports cars has grown considerably since the beginning of the century. McLaren divide the market into segments that include both cars more comfort-oriented GT supercar and roads cut and hard track use.
The "core" segment is about £ 125 000 to £ 175 000 with cars like the Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 Turbo, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin DB9. Another segment is "high", with prices of £ 175,000 to £ 250,000 and is composed primarily of GT front engine cars like the Ferrari 599 GTB Ferrari 612 and, with only one challenger mid-engine Lamborghini Murcielago.
The final segment is the group "final" in a more or less started the McLaren F1 in 1993 and now lives in a select group including CARS Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Bugatti Veyron, and cars like the Pagani and Koenigsegg followed by legends like the Porsche Carrera GT and Ferrari Enzo. In 2011, McLaren will bring technology and performance only in the "field of" final "core segment.
Although the recent economic crisis has affected the performance of the automotive industry, as is the entire automotive industry, McLaren Automotive believes that the "heart" of growth in the segment 8000 net sales in 2000 of over 28 000 in 2007 indicate that the potential exists and will soon return to at least 2007.
"At that time, 12C was launched in 2011, we expect economic conditions to be much better, we have already seen considerable interest in the car and the delivery of 12C will be relatively limited. In its first year, we plan to produce only 1000 cars, which represents only 3.5 percent of the "base" market, "said Antony Sheriff.
"We have created an innovative new lighting techniques and solutions, and applications to exploit real-world motor sport. It will bring new levels of performance, fuel economy and practicality of segment 12C. It is thinner than the main competition, a price that reflects its lack of ubiquity, "he said.
McLaren Automotive is divided into 12C and a new model through a network of dealers in all world markets.
Unique design, exquisite and passionate attention to deliver a wonderful property will ensure that the small number of retailers around the world face a brand new and attractive. This approach will lead excellent customer service and a virtuous cycle that keeps customers and bring new converts McLaren as the range expands.
