Last week, The Smoking Tire had the pleasure of being invited to LA’s newest exotic car dealership, McLaren of Beverly Hills, to check out the new MP4-12C in the flesh, as well as learn some very interesting information about what could be a game-changing supercar.
We were first shown a bare powertrain chassis with only seat and steering wheel attached. We were shown how low the internally developed 3.8L, twin-turbo V8 sits in the middle of the car. We were shown the carbon fiber tub, and the fact that the entire car was designed around the perfect driving position. We were shown the lack of swaybars, replaced by an electro-hydraulic damper system that adjusts itself on the fly, and, in “comfort” mode, is deactivated entirely for the smoothest ride possible. We were shown why the exhausts go upwards, through the rear bumper, instead of downwards: it saves 2 kilograms, and doesn’t interrupt airflow over the rear diffuser. We were shown the 7-speed DCT transmission and why it is the smallest and lightest unit available, to keep the center of gravity closest to the middle of the car. And we were told how the McLaren MP4-12C doesn’t share any componentry with any other car on the road. Every piece, down to the last nut and bolt, is pure McLaren.
And then they took the cover off the finished product. 
Any way you slice it, this car is a looker. I had seen photos before, and thought it resembled a Lamborghini Gallardo, but in person, nothing could be further from the truth. The design is very compact and cohesive, and, stands out from the current generation of exotic sports cars. Just for a second, lets look at the numbers:
Ferrari 458 Italia: 3042 lbs / 560 hp
Lamborghini Gallardo LP570: 2954 lbs / 570 hp
McLaren MP4-12c: 2860 lbs / 592 hp
Though acceleration and top speed numbers haven’t been released yet, the basic power-to-weight numbers don’t lie, and the Mac is set to outpace both of its closest competitors. Because of its carbon tub and extruded aluminum space frame, the car’s actual body doesn’t need to be structural. It’s simply draped over the structure, a fact reinforced the second you open one of the doors. Even though it has a full, luxurious interior, the door weighs next to nothing; as close as I’ve ever felt to a full-on race car in terms of weight. Even mechanical door handles have been left off in order to save as much weight as possible. Simply wave your hand under the MP4′s door scoop, and the door pops open, vertically and forward, using just a touch sensor. The reason for the vertical doors? Only one hinge mechanism is required, as opposed to 2 hinges for a “normal” door. Further weight savings.
Mechically, we’re told that, not only does the MP4-12C’s engine have the highest output in its class, it’s also the cleanest, with lower CO2 emissions than any offering from Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Porsche. Turbo lag, we’re told, is non-existent, a major sticking point with McLaren’s engineers, and that 80% of peak torque is available from just 2,000 RPM, all the way to the 8,500 RPM redline. We hear that development engines for the MP4 have run at up to 10,500 RPM, but redline was lowered a bit to preserve longevity and increase user-friendliness.
What about shift times for the new Dual-Clutch transmission? Louie (who’s last name I regrettably forget), the head of product development, tells us that the bespoke transmission has a pre-load function, much like an automatic camera, and because of this, shift times are reduced to “effectively, zero.” Yes, that’s right. He said zero.
How crazy is McLaren about saving weight? Look at the image above, of the magnesium support structure behind the dash. Originally, the “McLaren” logo went outward. By punching it inward instead, McLaren engineers saved 2.1 grams. The MP4-12C is simply chock full of weight-savings, the kind of obsession you can only find when dealing with a multi-time Formula One Constructors champion. The funny thing is, as soon as you sit in the car, you realize that there are virtually no compromises in luxury. It’s not like a Lotus Elise, where you can immediately see why the car weighs nothing: there’s nothing there. In the MP4-12C, however, everything is there. Navigation system, dual-zone climate control (with the controls nicely integrated into the doors), gauges with LCD displays, comfortable leather seats, high-end audio system, and fit-and-finish that would make an Audi engineer blush. It even has two cupholders and a three-camera video system that can record and play back your Mp4′s adventures on the built in screen.
Even with all the luxury features, it’s clear from the first second you get in, that this Mac is all about driving. There is plenty of legroom and headroom even for a big guy like me, and the steering wheel (a work of carbon fiber art) is damn near perfect. All the gauges are totally visible and the large, central tach is clearly the dominant feature, as it should be. The seats are immensely comfortable. Storage space in the cabin is a bit lacking, but such is the case with mid-engined exotics, and the relatively large nose trunk makes up for it.
My favorite feature on the MP4-12C is definitely the shifter paddles. As they say, the simplest solution is often the best, and McLaren may well have revolutionized the idea of what a shifter paddle needs to be. Instead of having two separate paddles, like all other exotics, both paddles are a single unit, mounted to a rocker switch behind the airbag. This means that you can shift up or down with either hand. For instance, you can shift up by either pulling the right paddle or pushing the left paddle. This is brilliant, because for the first time, you can truly drive a paddle-shift car with one hand, which leads me to my final point:
McLaren’s North American CEO calls the MP4-12C the “and” car. As in, you can drive it to work, and to the store, and at the track, completely without compromise. After seeing, touching, and sitting in this car, I have to agree 100%. And I haven’t even driven it! Based on the interior comfort, technology, fit and finish, and balance between ultimate performance and daily liveability, it seems like the MP4-12C has raised the bar in terms of what a supercar can and should be. I have to say, I’m more excited at the prospect of wheel time with this car than I have been in a really, really long time. So can I please have a set of keys? PLEASE?
Definately an excellent car, just not really "pretty". But taste differs.
Its also strange to emphazise on weight savings on the one hand, but on the other hand throwing in all kind of heavy luxury gadgets.
If I remember correctly, the MP4-12C is just the beginning of McLaren cars. The true successor to the F1 is still to come.
Anyway, I would drive it, if I have to
The point of the MP4-12C isn't to be a "new McLaren F1." That is a specialty car of the highest order, and could never, ever be used as a real daily driver. Remember, that car, even with a V12 in the back, only weighed about 2200 lbs, which is an astonishing feat that required quite a bit of sacrifice in the luxury department. This car is supposed to be a car that you really can use every day, and buyers of cars like that want air conditioning, navigation, a good radio, and stuff like that, especially for $200,000+. Even with the luxury gadgets, the car is still the lightest car in its class.
Hey, at least you have a better chance of getting a set of keys than I do! You're the car reviewer!
Wow. Great pics. I have to say, (having driven niether) if I were in that price range (250k?) for an exotic…I think id go for that thing over the 458 Italia…and thats saying A LOT! Now I just need to go find a second source of income…seriously.
That car seems to embody everything Gordon Murry was trying to do with the original F1…very light weight, (although understandably not as light as the F1) …and driver oriented everything. Of course this car is not a successor of the F1…but a true COMPETITIOR for the 458 Italia, and others like the upcoming Gallardo.
Its just in keeping with "McLaren."
Bring on the Italian's! Bring on the Germans! To the 'ring for a good spanking. Have the Noble bring up the rear guard and send a ZR1 as a point man to flush them out. Clarksion and May could tortue this metaphor endlessly….
I'll take the red one for a spin.
Sounds great! I would love to drive one, but the looks don't really do anything for me. I think it looks like the guy was trying to channel a shark.
It's gonna kill everything. Every single bit of it is made by McLaren (so no Fiat interior bits as in a Ferrari, no Audi bits as in a Lambo and no Volvo bits as in an Aston). I was there and sat in it, and it's amazing how special it feels – everything is new; seen for the first time. I think the shape may appear a bit plain in photos, but in person it's a knockout. The thing is – there's not one iota that's superficial, everything is there for an aerodynamic reason – no waste. A katana blade is equally purposeful, as is a surgeon's scalpel. And yet they're the best tools for the job… …and you could do worse than channel a shark when designing a car!
how do you shift down if both paddles are to shift up?
its a single lever on a rocker switch. so to shift up, you either pull the right paddle or push the left one. To shift down, you pull the left paddle or push the right one. There is slightly more tension on the downshifting side than the upshifting side as well.