Portimão, Portugal—McLaren set out to develop its own series production premium sports car in 2005. Under the “Project 11” name, the car’s basic parameters were laid down. Years of development followed with the same ethos held by the company’s F1 team. This included one year of computer simulation before the first running mule was ever built, one million test miles around the world and around-the-clock test programs with more than 50 prototypes. Fast forward to today, and the all-new 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is finally ready. We are among the first to drive the 12C at the Portimão Circuit.
Swipe your hand underneath the handle-less door (it takes some practice), and the 12C’s dihedral door opens forward and up, similar to those on the 1993 McLaren F1—still much revered today as the definitive supercar of the era. Slide inside the cockpit and the interior’s simplicity of design is apparent. The 3-spoke steering wheel has no buttons or switches. Right behind it is the cantilevered shift paddle for the 7-speed twin-clutch Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG). As is the practice in F1 cars, the paddle is pulled on the right for upshifts, and on the left for downshifts. Conversely, you can push on the left for an upshift, or push on the right for a downshift. Front and center on the instrument cluster is a large tachometer flanked by digital displays. The slender center stack flows smoothly downward, housing a portrait-format infotainment system followed by an engine start/stop button and two important dials selecting handling and powertrain settings of Normal, Sport and Track.
McLaren touts the MP4-12C to be for the road and track. So our first stint in the car sampled the car’s civility on rough roads around Portimão. Even with handling set to Track mode, the 12C’s all-around double-wishbone suspension with hydraulically linked active damping is able to soak up road imperfections with ease. But on long and winding roads is where the new McLaren really feels at home. Powering through high-speed corners, the car is never unsettled by any sudden gaps in the pavement, and communicates the event with a touch of vibration through the steering wheel just to let you know it’s alive. To fully enjoy the experience, also turn the powertrain to Track mode so the 12C’s 592-bhp V-8 can come to life with a more aggressive throttle map and faster shifts. At maximum boost of 17.4 psi, the powerplant winds up with a nice guttural growl. Back at the track, the McLaren MP4-12C handles the task with confidence. According to the factory, 0-to-60-mph acceleration can be accomplished in 3.2 seconds, and in 3.0 sec. when shod with more aggressive Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. The quarter mile is clocked at 10.9 sec. while traveling at 135 mph; top speed is 205 mph. Impressive numbers. Yet, ripping down the front straight in excess of 155 mph, you don’t quite get the real sensation of the speed because the 12C provides the utmost confidence-inspiring ride calmness for the driver. When slowing the car before the turn, ABS is helped by McLaren’s Airbrake, a rear flap that rises above 59 mph to increase drag and move the car’s center of pressure rearward for better grip, balance and braking stability.
Driving through corners, the 12C responds quickly to steering input with nicely balanced feedback off-center; but weighting is lighter than preferred. Mid-corner, the rear of the car stays put, even with slightly aggressive steering input or sudden throttle lift-off. If oversteer is provoked, it is easily correctable. The yaw control is always on, with a higher threshold in Track mode allowing for more driver control. Owners, according to McLaren, will be instructed on how to turn the system off completely.
The MP4-12C has achieved all its performance targets in the same calculated fashion of its winning F1 team. It appeals to “in-the-know” car enthusiasts who prefer their supercars understated, a different path than Ferrari, which wows its customers with more emotional appeal. With a U.S. list price of $229,000, the 12C (arriving late summer) is nearly comparable to the Ferrari 458 Italia. This is the beginning of another rivalry between two giants, but this time it’s not just on the track but also the road.
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