Tag: mclaren

Video: McLaren MP4-12C totalled during Goldrush Rally

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Videos, Luxury, McLaren

Every year in the Goldrush Rally, a convoy of high-end luxury cars snake across the States, their occupants enjoying all the opulence their $14,000 entry fees can afford. As our own Michael Harley can attest, it’s a low-speed affair, not an all-out speed-fest.

As the rally passed through Texas headed through Dallas on Thursday, Hsinho Chen of Massachusetts, driving a McLaren MP4-12C Spider, says he swerved into the highway median to avoid a truck that had pulled in front of him. After slamming the $268,000-car into a ditch, Chen and his passenger went beneath a fence and then took flight before crashing into a metal storage building.

The couple weren’t injured, but their high-powered, low-production supercar won’t be rallying again anytime soon. While there is no indication the car was exceeding the speed limit, Chen was ticketed for reckless driving. But that’s not the worst of his problems. The McLaren was a $2,900-a-day rental from Black & White Car Rental in Los Angeles. B&W didn’t respond to our email, but unless Mr. Chen is one of the company’s owners, we’re betting he doesn’t get his deposit back. Watch video of KLTV’s coverage below.

Continue reading McLaren MP4-12C totalled during Goldrush Rally

McLaren MP4-12C totalled during Goldrush Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: McLaren crashes MP4 12C on the ‘Ring… is a record attempt in the cards?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Luxury

McLaren MP4-12C on track

McLaren MP4-12C – Click above for high-res image gallery

Word on the web is that McLaren binned a new MP4-12C at the Nürburgring recently. According to Pistonheads, one of the early prototypes of the vehicle got up close and personal with some barriers at the legendary circuit, though the damage apparently wasn’t severe enough to put the model out of commission for good. The driver, who remains anonymous, wasn’t injured in the kerfuffle. McLaren hasn’t come out and said whether the incident was a result of driver error, mechanical failure or some other factor.

Officially, he MP4-12C was only out for durability testing, but since the accident occurred at the very end of a scheduled test session, some minds have begun to wonder whether or not McLaren was attempting to set a ‘Ring record time with their new lightweight. According to Pistonheads, the company says that while it may pursue such an adventure at some point down the line, that’s not what was going on when the vehicle left the tarmac. Of course, that would seem to contradict reports from the scene where witnesses were said they saw the MP4-12C traveling flat-out just before the impact.

McLaren crashes MP4 12C on the ‘Ring… is a record attempt in the cards? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 May 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren to produce street-legal MP4-12C GT3? [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

mclaren mp4-12c gt3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

There’s a grand tradition of turning a supercar into a race car, then turning it back into a road car again. Call it “life imitating art imitating life,” or call it what you want, but we call it awesome. Ferrari, for example, did just that with the 360 Modena, which became the 360 Challenge racer and then the 360 Challenge Stradale road car. Maserati followed a similar formula with the GranTurismo, turned GranTurismo MC GT4 and back into the GranTurismo MC Stradale. McLaren’s done it too, turning the original F1 into the F1 GTR racer and then back into the hyper-exclusive F1 LM road car. And now it could be ready to do so again with the latest MP4-12C.

The racing team-turned-automaker just rolled out the new GT3 racing version of the MP4, and has grand plans to produce a new model or variant annually for the next five years. A big brother to the MP4 and successor to the F1 is reportedly set for introduction by 2014, bearing more radical styling than the rather derivative 12C (and hopefully a more dynamic name, too). But before that, we could be looking at a road-ready GT3 model.

The standard approach of less weight, more power would likely be applied to the hardcore MP4 – the same sort of formula used on the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Gallardo Superlegerra – to make for an even more extreme supercar. But while variations on the theme are in the pipeline, McLaren is reportedly eager to stay on the reasonable side of Porsche’s approach of endless 911 variants. Click past the break to check out McLaren’s official video covering the launch of the MP4-12C GT3.

Continue reading McLaren to produce street-legal MP4-12C GT3? [w/video]

McLaren to produce street-legal MP4-12C GT3? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren MP4-12C GT3 takes to the track for testing, tuning, titillation

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, MISC, Racing

mclaren mp4-12c gt3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 hits the racetrack – Click above to watch video after the jump

McLaren is clearly excited to test the racing version of its MP4-12C supercar. Called the MP4-12C GT3, this track-focused racer is equipped to do battle in the 2011 and 2012 GT3 championship series, and McLaren has just released a slew of videos that show off the car from all angles. This thing is perfectly equipped to make beautiful noises and hug the road like a tween meeting Justin Bieber.

One example of the GT3 will make its debut this year, however, McLaren reports that 20 cars are being prepared for the 2012 season. McLaren is also planning to bring the MP4-12C GT3 to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. In the meantime, you can click past the jump for a handful of videos showing the car in action.

Continue reading McLaren MP4-12C GT3 takes to the track for testing, tuning, titillation

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 takes to the track for testing, tuning, titillation originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Autocar pits McLaren F1 against MP4-12C

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos

McLaren F1 vs MP4-12C

McLaren F1 vs MP4-12C – Click above to watch video after the jump

Awesome. Guttural. Vicious. Even though the youngest of the 100 McLaren F1 models produced was built 13 years ago, the machine still conjures some of the very best words the English language has to offer polite society. It was only a matter of time before someone lined up the old king of the roost against the new McLaren MP4-12C to find out which is the better weapon for assaulting track records. Autocar has done exactly that, and it’s been so kind as to work up an excellent video of the experience.

Which car comes out on top? We’d hate to spoil the fun by saying so here, but it’s worth noting that McLaren didn’t set out to build the MP4-12C to overtake the F1 in either brute strength or finesse. Instead, the newcomer lives in a category all its own. Hit the jump to take in the action for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Autocar pits McLaren F1 against MP4-12C

Video: Autocar pits McLaren F1 against MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: McLaren takes first MP4-12C GT3 out for Silverstone test

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Videos, MISC, Racing

mclaren mp4-12c gt3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 takes to the track – Click above to watch video after the jump

McLaren has just unveiled the racing version of its all-new street-fighting MP4-12C. The McLaren MP4-12C GT3 has been out running England’s Silverstone circuit with new test driver Álvaro Parente at the wheel. The race-version of McLaren’s new coupe is nearly four inches wider than the street version. It also features completely reworked suspension, which was first tested on McLaren’s in-house simulator.

Power is provided by the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the standard MP4-12C. However, in GT3 guise, the setup has been tuned for the track. A paddle-shifted Ricardo-designed transmission takes the place of the seven-speed unit found in the street car. Upgraded brakes have also been fitted to this race-prepped McLaren.

Beyond the mechanical changes, the MP4-12C GT3 gets aero-upgrades in the form of a front-splitter, fixed rear wing, additional door intake blade and new rear diffuser. Click past the jump to see all of these upgrades in action, as the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is put through the paces at Silverstone. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3McLaren MP4-12C GT3McLaren MP4-12C GT3McLaren MP4-12C GT3McLaren MP4-12C GT3

[Source: McLaren]

Continue reading Video: McLaren takes first MP4-12C GT3 out for Silverstone test

Video: McLaren takes first MP4-12C GT3 out for Silverstone test originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C gets flogged

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos

2012 McLaren MP4-12C

Driving the McLaren MP4-12C – Click above to watch video after the jump

If our review of the McLaren MP4-12C only sparked your appetite for the super-rare mid-engine fighter, don’t fret. Thanks the wonder of YouTube, we can all hop in the cockpit for a few quick hotlaps in the cabin of the 592-horsepower machine with none other than Jenson Button behind the wheel. McLaren has released a trio of videos to show off exactly what the MP4-12C can accomplish with the limitless talent of an F1 champion behind the wheel.

The first video follows the world’s auto journos around as they were introduced to the vehicle for the first time. The second clip, meanwhile, is all about introducing exactly what kind of figures the car can produce on a proper track. McLaren says that 0-62 mph can be clicked off in as little as 3.1 seconds when the MP4-12C is fitted with the optional Pirelli tires and that the quarter-mile dash takes just 10.9 seconds.

If that’s not enough to wet your supercar whistle, the final clip focuses on a quick look at the company’s advanced simulator. Prepare to geek out in grand fashion. Hit the jump to see the videos.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Videos: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C gets flogged

Videos: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C gets flogged originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, First Drive, MISC

Could This Be The Best Performance Car In The World Today?

2012 McLaren MP4-12C

2012 McLaren MP4-12C – Click above for high-res image gallery

Let’s see now. You’ve got your Ferrari 458 Italia, your Porsche 911 GT2 RS and 911 Turbo S and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera 570-4. After all, if we’re setting the scene properly on the most important supersports car inauguration in quite some time – the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C – we should, in this first privileged go, at least be keeping our minds on sub-12-cylinder mid- and rear-engine road beasts. For now, that is. So if anyone brings up the 2012 Nissan GT-R or Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, that’ll be us snapping your back side with a wet towel at the health club. You’ve been warned.

Before we’ve dropped into the Recaro support-o-rama seats of the MP4-12C, one of the Queen’s lairds of the realm announces, “Be prepared to drive the best handling sports car in history.” What do you say to Sir Ron Dennis, boss of the newly formed McLaren Automotive Company (a.k.a. the MAC daddy), when he puts pressure on like that? It’s like Bill Gates looking at us and asking enthusiastically, “So, don’t you just love that Windows 7?” What happens if you don’t?

But as luck would have it, the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is quite possibly the best handling supersports road and weekend track car in history. Yes, this will certainly take some ‘splainin’, but bear with us. We’re just pleased that no royal beheadings will now be called for, as Sir Ron is not renowned for his merciful treatment of dissenters.

Continue reading…

Gallery: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C: First Drive

2012 McLaren MP4-12C2012 McLaren MP4-12C2012 McLaren MP4-12C2012 McLaren MP4-12C2012 McLaren MP4-12C

Photos courtesy McLaren Automotive

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First Drive: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NASCAR to get fuel injection for 2012; McLaren wins supply contract

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Racing

NASCAR at Daytona

If it’s good enough for Formula 1, it’s good enough for NASCAR. Heck, if it’s good enough for every single automobile sold in the United States for the past several decades, it’s good enough for NASCAR. What’s this newfangled techno-wizardry we’re talking about? Fuel injection.

For the first time since the series kicked off in 1947, the so-called stock cars that travel full-throttle around tracks all across America will abandon their carburetors in favor of an Enging Control Unit sourced from McLaren and a computer processor from Freescale. That tandem reportedly beat out eight rival bids.

According to NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton, “This is a positive step that will provide greater fuel efficiency and a greener footprint while maintaining the same great competition that we have seen on the race track.”

Fuel efficiency ought to go up, as will horsepower. Interestingly, NASCAR competitors like Ford and Toyota happy about the switch. “We think it’s very important that both the cars and the technology in NASCAR are more closely related to production cars. The move to fuel injection is another important step in that process,” said Jamie Allison, Director, Ford North America Motorsports.

NASCAR expects to have its fuel injection technology all sorted in time for the 2012 season opener, the Daytona 500.

[Source: National Speed Sport News, Fox Sports | Image: Reinhold Matay/AP]

NASCAR to get fuel injection for 2012; McLaren wins supply contract originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Radical new McLaren MP4-26 Formula 1 car unveiled in Berlin

Filed under: Motorsports, Racing

2011 McLaren MP4-26

2011 McLaren MP4-26 – Click above for high-res image gallery

While rival Formula 1 teams unveiled their new 2011 challengers at or before the recently test session at Valencia, McLaren opted to run its 2010 F1 car instead. The reason? Ostensibly to focus on the varied effects the new Pirelli tires. This week in Berlin, however, the British Formula 1 outfit joined the field and took the wraps off its new racer, the MP4-26, revealing a number of innovative and radical design elements.

In the German capital, the team rolled out the car in pieces and put it together in front of the gathered crowd (not unlike the funny Vodafone video starring Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton). McLaren used a plastic engine and exhaust system so as not to reveal all their secrets, but what we do know is that MP4-26 F1 car features a longer-than-usual wheelbase, an even higher nosecone than its rivals, and odd U-shaped sidepods. That last feature is designed to channel cleaner air to the new rear wing in an effort to regain downforce lost from the regulatory elimination of the double diffuser.

The MP4-26 is also the first McLaren Formula 1 car designed to accomodate Jenson Button’s taller frame, since last year’s racer was largely finalized before his release from Brawn GP. McLaren remains secretive on the rest of the design, releasing only the handful of images you can see in the gallery below. Has McLaren got enough tricks up its sleeve to drive Button or Hamilton to another title? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Gallery: 2011 McLaren MP4-26

[Source: McLaren]

Radical new McLaren MP4-26 Formula 1 car unveiled in Berlin originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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