The McLaren MP4-12C of Chronograph Watches

McLaren and TAG Heuer are celebrating their 26-year long partnership as well as the 20th anniversary of the original McLaren F1 with the launch of the limited edition TAG Heuer MP4-12C Chronograph watch. Taking inspiration from the upcoming MP4-12C supercar, the watch boasts a matching color scheme and is built from exotic materials such as carbon fiber.

The lightweight composite material was used for the dial, which features sapphire inserts that reveal the mechanism. The latter is protected by a highly durable titanium case, also minimizing weight. Other highlights include the alcantara leather strap evoking the MP4-12C’s interior, and orange luminescent markers on the hands, complemented by orange stitching.

Pilots and track drivers will appreciate the Flyback function, which allows the chronograph to be reset to zero and instantly restarted by pressing only once on the push button. There’s also a tachymeter at hand, indicating what distance is travelled, while the chronograph can record time intervals between two locations.

“I love watches and have always wanted to design one myself. The TAG Heuer MP4-12C Chronograph was a particularly interesting project as we have combined our passion for precision technology, engineering and performance and included some of the most outstanding design features and materials that can be found in the MP4-12C”, said Frank Stephenson, Design Director McLaren Automotive.

The TAG Heuer MP4-12C Chronograph will be produced in a limited run of 1,000 units. Those interested can purchase the watch through McLaren later this year.

As for the car that inspired the creation of the chronograph, the MP4-12C is powered by a 600HP mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8, developed in-house by McLaren. Capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 3 seconds and a top speed of 320+ km/h (200+ mph), the MP4-12C will hit the European market in spring 2011, at a base price of €200,000 in Germany and £168,500 in the UK. U.S. pricing will be released at a later date.

By Csaba Daradics

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McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Endurance Racer Coming in 2012

Twelve years after the last six McLaren F1 GTR “Longtails” hit the tarmac at Le Mans, the British supercar maker and CRS Racing have begun work on an MP4-12C-based GT3 racecar. According to the plan that was revealed today, the MP4-12C GT3 will be available in limited numbers starting from 2012.

The McLaren F1 GTR was a very successful racecar, taking the checkered flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut, so the bar has been set pretty high for the new car. Nevertheless, featuring an advanced one-piece carbon fiber chassis and finely tuned aerodynamic body, the MP4-12C should provide an excellent starting point for the development of the race version.

“The 12C’s architecture and design was always aimed at high-performance and ease of maintenance - two key criteria for potential customers. Combine that with the vast amount of racing experience in our automotive team, and CRS Racing’s specialist development experience, and the 12C GT3 should be an exciting proposition for the top teams planning to race in GT3 from 2012”, said Martin Whitmarsh, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal.

As part of the development process, McLaren and CRS Racing will enter 12C GT3 prototypes in select European GT races next year. Further details about the racing program are also going to be announced in 2011. Potential clients can register their interest at "www.mclarengt.com."

By Csaba Daradics

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McLaren MP4-12C Priced from €200,000 in Europe and at £168,500 and in the UK

McLaren Automotive has announced pricing for its upcoming and much hyped new supercar, the MP4-12C, which goes on sale in the UK and Europe in spring 2011. In Britain, on-the-road prices will start at £168,500, while the supercar will cost €200,000 in Germany, €201,000 in France and Monaco, €201,680 in Italy and €203,360 in Belgium, with all prices including country-specific tax. Pricing in other countries will be released at a later date.

The company claims the pricing in Europe and the UK is groundbreaking for a carbon chassis-based supercar. Antony Sheriff, Managing Director of McLaren Automotive said:

"With a unique carbon chassis as the foundation, and a powerful, but highly efficient McLaren engine at its heart, the 12C offers staggering value: no other carbon-based car can compete at this price-point, or with the 12C's technology and performance."

The 12C will be offered with a choice of 17 exterior paint finishes including a 'McLaren Orange' that harks back to the firm's 1960s and 1970s race cars, as well as 14 interior trims. Available performance upgrades will include a sports exhaust system, carbon ceramic brake discs, polished-finish callipers and two lightweight forged wheel options.

All MP4-12Cs will be powered by a mid-mounted 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 600HP and 443 lb-ft, developed in-house by McLaren. According to the British company, According to the McLaren, the supercar is capable of reaching 100km/h (62mph) in less than 3,0 seconds and 200 km/h (124mph) in under 10 seconds while completing the quarter mile in around 11 seconds and reaching a top speed in excess of 200mph or 322km.

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IED and McLaren collaborate on a 2020 McLaren SAV

Working with world-renowned supercar manufacturer McLaren, Turin's Istituto Europeo di Design [IED] has created a variety of concepts representing the potential future of the British marque's lineup. Each has been designed with the following requirements in mind: a hybrid, mid-engined four-wheel drive sport-utility riding on a McLaren chassis with space for two travelers.

After getting some one-on-one face time with McLaren at its Woking, UK facility, the IED students developed thirty-three concepts. After that, the number of proposals was whittled down to eleven cars deemed worthy of "further development" and students were put into teams to battle it out and earn a position on the short list.

The three winning vehicles approved for 1:4 scale model production are called the HOLON, the TOROK, and the BIO RENOVATIO, and can be viewed below along with some of the other concepts.

César Mendoza, IED Turin's director, says, "The Istituto Europeo di Design was very keen to collaborate again with McLaren Automotive....[It] has certainly contributed to raising the students' professional outlook, as it required that each team clearly defined the position of each specific feature within the project as a whole. McLaren is known for its attention to design detail: everything is for a reason and that is what we wanted our teams to understand. Then, in order to heighten the quality of the final works presented, we chose virtual presentation, including animation, that enables us even to test the movements of the parts."

Have a peek at the vids and pics and let us know what you think in the comments below.

By Phil Alex

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McLaren MP4-12C Cop Car? Only in Need For Speed Hot Pursuit

While everyone's waiting for the new Gran Turismo, Need for Speed hopes to satiate your digital racing needs with a new Hot Pursuit game. Check out the screen shots below for some copped-out speed machines. Dare you view the Viper and forever live in fear of what could one day be lurking on an interstate? Hey, cops impound craziness all the time.

Seeing as how everyone from Techart and Brabus to Ford and the holy Lamborghini have created awesome police concepts or actual cars, how about McLaren spends a little of its hard-earned cash and builds an MP4-12C patrol car. Can we say crowd-pleaser?

By Phil Alex

Source: NFS

F1 Champs Button and Hamilton to Race McLaren MP4-12C at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The upcoming McLaren MP4-12C will make its first public outing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place from Thursday 1- Sunday 4 July 2010. Event goers and enthusiasts alike will also get the chance to see McLaren's new supercar in action as reigning F1 champion Jenson Button and 2008 F1 champion Lewis Hamilton will drive the MP4-12C up Goodwood Hill on Saturday and Sunday respectively in the Supercar Run

Following their test of an 'XP Beta' 12C prototype at Goodwood Motor Circuit in March this year, Jenson and Lewis will now get behind the wheel of the newer (as in further developed) VP9 Validation Prototype car.

McLaren said that the latest prototype version will be finished in a 'traditional' orange hue and ride on lightweight forged alloy wheels in a Stealth finish, adding that the car will feature a carbon fibre splitter, diffuser, engine covers, engine bay panels and seat backs.

Powered by a mid-mounted 3.8 liter V8 with 600HP, the new MP4-12C will go on sale in Spring 2011. McLaren has not yet released pricing on the MP4-12C, but the company stated that it will compete with cars in the 'core' high performance sports car sector, priced between £125,000-£175,000.

Gordon Murray's T.25 Oddball City Car Officially Revealed

Renowned Formula One race car and supercar designer Gordon Murray who gained fame for his involvement in the iconic McLaren F1 project, has finally taken the wraps off his latest creation [after more than two years of teasing], the T.25 city car.

Measuring 2.4 meters or 94.5-inches in length, 1.3 meters or 51.2-inches in width and 1.5 meters or 59-inches in height, the T.25 is smaller than Smart's minuscule Fortwo, yet Murray has managed to fit in three seats in a McLaren F1-style 1+2 layout with the driver sitting in the center of the car. The two passenger seats can be folded down allowing a luggage capacity of 720 liters.

Instead of using traditional doors, Murray opted to utilize the entire front section of the T.25 that pivots forward to allow entry into the car.

The small city car is powered by a 660cc three-cylinder engine located in the rear. It produces an output of 51HP at 7,000 rpm and 57Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, and is linked to a five-speed semi-automatic transmission.

Tipping the scales at around 575kg or 1,268 lbs, the T.25 accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 16.2 seconds and reaches a limited top speed of 145km/h (90mph). Fuel economy is estimated at about 74mpg UK, which is equal to 3.8 lt/100km and 61.9mpg US.

If all goes well, Murray aims to have the T.25 ready for production by 2012.

From Gordin Murray Design: T.25 USP's and Key Features

• The T.25 represents a major breakthrough in City Car design and is a vehicle that has been optimised through design for strength, performance, weight, cost, safety, usability, tooling, quality, energy efficiency, recyclable and ease of assembly.
  
• The T.25 external dimensions create the opportunity to:
  
  • park at 90 degrees to the curb, offering real consumer benefits,
    
  • park up to 3 cars in one parallel parking space - giving rise to lower parking charges.
    
  • increase traffic flow,
    
  • explore the possibility of 2 vehicles travelling and overtaking in one conventional lane. Combining this with the car length has the potential to triple lane usage at peak times.
    
  • reduce the environmental impact of vehicle manufacture (ie: lower material content etc) and day-to-day operation.
    
• The central driving position generates:
  
  • A unique, 'cool' and fun driving experience,
    
  • promotes safety and ease of parking as a result of excellent all-round visibility and road awareness,
    
  • the opportunity to offer a single-seater option with retrofit bolt-in rear seats,
    
  • class-leading rear passenger leg room (better than most 'B-Segment' cars).
    
• By virtue of the unique door opening system, the T.25 can:
  
  • be parked in very close proximity to other objects and still allow occupants to enter and exit the vehicle. This gives rise to,
    
  • park 2 in one domestic garage,
    
  • allow occupants access from both sides of the vehicle,
    
  • allow easy access to the driver's seat and easy access to the rear child seats.
    
• The ultra lightweight by design (approximately 550kg) means that:
  
  • component life is increased
    
  • reduced energy is required to power vehicle, giving rise to higher fuel efficiency (mpg/electric battery range).
    
  • a competitive power to weight ratio is achieved
    
• A world-leading 6 metre turning circle will enhance urban manoeuvring and parking.
  
• Body panels in the lower periphery of the car are all mechanically affixed and have split lines which are sympathetic to accident damage replacement, leading to rapid assembly times and low cost accident repair.
  
• First car in class to feature lightweight, low cost independent rear suspension.
  
• Wing mirrors are within the overall width of the body, thereby minimising accidental damage and subsequent mirror replacement.
  
• Design for purpose means that the vehicle has excellent pedestrian impact qualities.
  
• The inclusion of Formula 1 derived materials philosophy and technology coupled with chassis frame design ('Direct Load Path') gives an immensely strong structure ('safety cell') both in 'end' and 'side' impact scenarios. This is also designed to meet the cost targets of high volume production.
  
• Flat under-floor improves aerodynamic efficiency.
  
• Class-leading vehicle dynamics
  
• High level turn indicators for good visibility.
  
• Positioning of the fuel filler permits refueling from either side of the vehicle.
  
• Centralised driving instrumentation and controls are designed to maximize drive control.
  
• Six internal layout options with rear seat adjustment (adjustable within 20 seconds) sets new standards in small vehicle packaging – a long way in front of the Smart For 2 and the Toyota iQ.
  
• Occupant capacity of between 1 and 3 persons. Luggage capacity of between 160 litres and 720 litres.
  
• The T.25 has the potential to be first to market for a new "World Car Class" for efficient vehicles, demonstrating new levels of efficiency and low emissions – creating excellent publicity and marketing opportunities.