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First Drive: Pre-production McLaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.

First Drive: Pre-production McLaren MP4-12C
We get our first taste of one of the most exciting supercars of the year, the McLaren MP4-12C.

   



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| First Drive | Silverstone, England | Pre-production McLaren MP4-12C |

Overall rating: 5 5 5 5 5

McLaren hasn't only launched a new supercar; it's created a new supercar company. Its first creation, the MP4-12C, is aimed squarely at the Ferrari 458 Italia. A few laps of Silverstone suggest it is more than up to the job.

Key Facts

Pricing: £168,500
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol
Transmission: Seven-speed, dual-clutch SSG transmission with 'Pre-Cog', rear-wheel drive
Body style: Two-door coupé
Rivals: Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
CO2 emissions: 279g/km
Combined economy: 24.2mpg
Top speed: 205mph
0-62mph: 3.3 seconds (3.1 on optional Corsa tyres)
Power: 592bhp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 443lb.ft between 3,000 and 7,000rpm
Dry weight: From 1,301kg

In the Metal: 5 5 5 5 5

If you want a supercar that shouts about it then look elsewhere: the McLaren is as subtle as supercar-dom gets. That won't suit all buyers, but we like it. Photographs don't convey the MP4-12C's stance on the road and it looks particularly good on the move.

McLaren sensibly ignored its accountants when it came to the MP4-12C's interior. Instead of robbing switches and the like from a mass produced car, everything is bespoke. It makes for an interesting cabin - though we didn't have time to explore it in full.

Driving it: 5 5 5 5 5

Getting into the MP4-12C is an experience in itself thanks to the light doors that swing upwards. Inside, it's quite snug, but the driving position is perfect and the controls that fall to hand are pleasingly tactile. Press the start button and the car defaults to its Normal mode.

It's distinctly tractable and easy to drive at slow speeds in this guise, but with just a few laps of a short circuit to explore the car's capabilities we don't hesitate in pressing the Sport button and tugging the gear change paddle to move into manual gearchange mode. The dual-clutch transmission changes ratios relatively seamlessly, even on full throttle, which serves to emphasise the eye-widening pace of the MP4-12C.

The accruement of speed is accompanied by a distinctive induction roar that doesn't betray the presence of two turbochargers. Acceleration is relentless - and there's no discernible lag at lower speeds.

However, it's the MP4-12C's grip levels that stand out on our short drive - and the adjustability of the car's angle through corners on the throttle. It's massively engaging, yet utterly competent. There's a lot of clever technology in the chassis, but it seems to add to the driving experience rather than detract from it. It bodes well for its capability on the road.

What you get for your Money: 5 5 5 5 5

This is not a car you judge by the number of electric motors in the cabin. It's perfectly well equipped and it's priced on par with rivals. When you look into the detail engineering of the ProActive Chassis Control, the SSG transmission, the active air brake and the unique Active Dynamics Panel customisation it begins to look like a bargain. Of course, McLaren will allow buyers spec it up further, with Ceramic Composite Matrix (CCM) brakes and grippier Pirelli PZero Corsa tyres tempting items on the options list.

Worth Noting

The MP4-12C is only the first part of a McLaren family of supercars. Very little of substance is known about the future derivatives, though McLaren has released initial details of the racing version. Beyond that we'd expect an open model and possibly something that appeals more to well-heeled trackday regulars. Don't bet on there being a McLaren SUV or diesel any time soon.

Summary

A tantalising few laps in the McLaren MP4-12C clearly indicate that it's a very special car. While it's easy to drive - and breathtakingly quick - it's also engaging from the off. If it is half as good on the road then McLaren won't be able to keep up with demand.




Shane O' Donoghue - 7 Mar 2011



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2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.

2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Image by Max Earey.



2011 Mclaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.
 

2011 Mclaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.
 

2011 Mclaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.
 

2011 Mclaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.
 

2011 Mclaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.
 

2011 Mclaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.
 

2011 Mclaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.
 

2011 Mclaren MP4-12C. Image by McLaren.
 






 

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