What’s next for McLaren? The MP4-12C went into production early last year and it has been doing very well, despite some early quality in niggles. Back in 2010, McLaren promised to launch 5 new models or model variants over the next five years. MP4-12C was 2011′s launch – how about 2012? That is likely to be the MP4-12C Spyder. After that, a new supercar will likely slot in above it.

The guys over at Hennessey aren’t waiting for that though, introducing a new HPE800 package for the MP4-12C that should give it similar performance. As its name implies, Hennessey boosts the MP4-12C’s power level up to 800 brake horsepower, up from 592 hp.

The engine has entirely been reworked, and McLaren’s twin turbos have been swapped out for Hennessey units with higher boost. The extra power requires some significant upgrades in the form of an intercooler, intake, titanium exhaust, transmission and reworked engine management system. Henneessey also says there is a “custom dyno-tuned engine calibration.”

All this is covered under a Hennessey warranty, which is good because this package will void your McLaren one. To match the extra power, Hennessey fitted some exterior upgrades that aim to increase visual excitement. They include a CarbonAero body kit with larger side heat exchangers, a new front air inlet and a hood extractor, along with Monoblock wheels. This aimed at addressing critics who think the MP4-12C isn’t visually engaging enough.

One of the most interesting things about this whole release is a tidbit about the car’s suspension. The 12C’s suspension system has been left untouched. The reason? Hennessey says “factory systems will be difficult to improve on.” That is an extremely strong endorsement of the car’s handling prowess. Normally there is a need to beef up components and rework the suspension when power levels are boosted. The Hennessey McLaren MP4-12C HPE800 will be available as a singular package as well as in individual parts. Pricing information hasn’t been released yet.

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McLaren’s highly-anticipated relaunch has begun with one model, the MP4-12C. As far as super cars go, it is positioned in the thick of the market, going head-to-head with the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo. For garnering sales and revenue quickly, that is a smart strategy.

The car that started it all for McLaren though was the F1 super car. To this day it stands as an amazing piece of engineering ability. Autocar reports that work on a successor has began, referred to as the “Mega Mac.” The new super car will take its place above the MP4-12C in the McLaren lineup, competing with the Lamborghini Aventador, Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari’s successor to the Enzo.

According to Autocar, testing started in Spain last month, and is now shifting to Germany. Hot weather testing is being undertaken in Bahrain. The official name of the vehicle has yet to be decided. MP4-12C isn’t an exactly inspiring name, is it? However, the new super car could get a similar alphanumeric designation.

Power would come from a new 5.0-liter V-8 engine making 799 horsepower and 590 pound feet of torque. The engine is being developed in partnership with Ricardo. McLaren and Ricardo have a partnership going, jointly developing the 3.8-liter twin turbo V-8 that powers the 12C. 799 hp, combined with McLaren’s lightweight carbon fiber tub results in an anticipated 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds. The dash to 100 takes just 5.5 seconds and 200 mph is reached in 20 seconds. Will McLaren be gunning for new world records with the F1 successor? Previous reports said they wouldn’t be, but what we’re hearing lately seems to indicate that they will.

One criticism of the 12C has been its relatively sedate design. The F1 successor is said to be far more radical and aggressive, while blending elements from the 12C and F1. We hope the iconic three-seat design makes a comeback in the new car. It is a McLaren trademark and something that would really set the car out from the pack. The “Mega Mac” is expected to arrive in 2014.

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Despite the physical toll on drivers and team members, mental focus along with the obvious rush of competition, auto racing is often disregarded or completely neglected from professional sports. Some critics against the ‘sports’ classification on auto racing references car as largely responsible for the athletic aspect during an event. A sharply untrue statement, the truest most example of a motorsports athlete the legendary Brazilian Ayrton Senna. 65 pole positions, 41 wins and three world championships earned through 161 races at the highest Formula 1 competition captures the 10-year career of Ayrton Senna numerically. Impressive statistics, the film documentary Senna personifies the late athlete behind the Formula 1 achievements.

Giving a detailed look at a charismatic individual, Senna works with some rich source material. Better than the fictional work of almost any Hollywood blockbuster producer, the real life chronicle of Ayrton Senna presents a superb story of love, action political drama, conflict, heroism and ultimately tragic loss.

Competing in Formula 1 from 1984 to 1994, Ayrton Senna’s career and life is beautifully documented. While cold, hard statistics is of interest to hardcore Formula 1 racing fans, Senna avoids burying itself in statistics giving a more personal look at the Brazilian legend. Through Senna family home video, interviews, and through a rare peek into the Formula 1 drivers meetings of the early 1990s, the racer’s personality is brought to life 15 years after his tragic crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Senna’s parents and sister, McLaren team principal Ron Dennis along with Formula 1 series’ chief doctor Sid Waltkins enlightens us on the life of the legendary sports figure.

Ayrton Senna’s famous second place drive at Monaco driving a Toleman race car, first win with Lotus, all three championships with McLaren and the climatic 1991 victory at his home Grand Prix of Brazil are highlighted as grand moments in a 10-year career. Showing some of the greatest drives of the Brazilian professional, Senna’s mastery in the rain is a continuing theme in the documentary as a supernatural force connected for an arguably supernatural being.

Customary for any detailed look at Ayrton Senna is the famous feud between his McLaren teammate through the late 1980s Alain Prost. Entering the McLaren team in 1988 with Prost being the established driver, Senna’s addition to the league’s top organization was exhibited as an acrimonious situation which boiled over into the most volatile relationships among sports teammates. After Ayrton Senna grabbed his first driver’s world title in 1988 through a brilliant drive, the following year’s championship was decided with a controversial collision between Senna and Prost. By virtue of this incident, this documentary gains two antagonists through Alain Prost and the past FIA president Jean-Marie Balestre. A Frenchman like Prost, Balestre elected to punish Senna for driving through a chicane in rejoining the race. Though the McLaren team feud showed to competitors at their best (and possibility worse), Senna’s relationship with both of those figures shows off a more layered relationship than a basic ‘hero and villain’ battle.

From beginning to the end of Ayrton Senna’s life in 1994, the film dramatically characterizes changes to the driver’s psyche. While Senna remains a kind, caring and passionate person throughout his racing career, Ayrton Senna is seen as one eager, young hot shoe upon receiving a ride in the Toleman. Early in the movie, Ayrton Senna was a man deeply in love with life and racing following many carefree years in go-karting. Through the story of the young Senna, he is quickly caught up on the auto racing series’ politics.

While Senna correctly portrays the Formula 1 driving legend as a hero to the impoverished and opposed people of Brazil, the documentary also shows Ayrton Senna as a person pushed to conflict with even his own competitive principles. In the 1990 Formula 1 title fight, the documentary replays footage of how Senna took the champion through a collision with Prost at the Japanese Grand Prix mirroring the incident one year before. As politics become a main theme to Ayrton Senna’s career as he rose to a three-time world champion, the Brazilian legend would ironically to shown initiating arguments in the latter years of his career. One such incident occurred as Senna wanted his Williams team to issue a protest against the Benetton racing team car piloted by eventual 7-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.

Featuring graphic crash footage, the documentary plainly reveals that Ayrton Senna was not oblivious to dangers of racing. As a benchmark competitor, it was important for the Brazilian driver to know his fellow racers were alive after the most vicious crashes. Relying on a deep belief in god, there were times Senna commented he felt a surreal connection while racing. Near the end of Ayrton Senna’s life, the documentary illustrates a man in conflict with an unbalanced Williams-Renault race car as well as an unsettled soul.

Though so many viewers realize the conclusion of Senna, the film brilliantly concludes after 1 hour, 45 minutes as more than just a motorsport movie. A human being pressing himself to greatness, Ayrton Senna’s humble nature becomes the basis for what is now an enduring dynasty.

Photo source: Chris Nagy, MPH The Prestige & Performance Motor Show, Veloce

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The only true disappointment with many auto shows is the limited or non-existent opportunity of seeing the greatest creations in motoring in motion. Taking place on the first weekend of July, the 2011 edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is an outside exhibition where museum-quality, near priceless machines are seen and heard. Within a well-forested area where plenty of green space, the event is also considered as “the largest motoring garden party in the world”. First held in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has grown as a multi-day world gathering that featured some of the most marvellous pieces of motorsport history.

With motor vehicles as ancient as the 1909 Blitzen-Benz, presentations of auto racing’s golden age within the 1950s through to the 1970s intrigued as signs of automotive technology progression. The Chaparral 2J CanAm sports car and a Ford GT40 were a few of the classic motorsport combatants in motion at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed. A fantastic opportunity for 150,000 spectators to be willingly schooled in auto racing history, the hills of Goodwood connected to the 21st century with future classic vehicles. Fresh off a victory at the 24-Hour of Le Mans, the Audi R18 Tdi was driven by Audi Team Joust driver Marco Werner. A British touring car-fitted Chevrolet Cruze as well as GT3 class sports cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the all-new McLaren MP4-12C brought into prospective over 100 years of power and glory. In amongst all the motoring history, automobiles transcending the timeline included the Audi Ur-quattro S1, Porsche 917/30, Jaguar XJR9 le mans prototype and a Hennessey Venom GT supercar.

Beyond the beauty of the race cars themselves, the most attractive quality for the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the reuniting of the world’s most successful motorsport drivers with vehicles having provided a significant role in defining their careers. This year, the spectacle of cars and drivers side-by-side has never been stronger as Indy car, Formula 1, sports car, rally car and motorcycle racing. Awaking the hills on the Friday kicking off the three-day event, past racing greats such as Formula 1 World champion Emerson Fittipadi, three-time open wheel champion Bobby Rahal and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser began navigating the Goodwood hill, a 1.16-mile rising 300 feet to a finishing summit. While there were some timed runs with certain cars, it could be forgivable that most vehicles were more paraded up Goodwood‘s track.

With internal combustion engines powering most of the cars of yesterday and today, 1963 Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones revved-up something completely different. Called the Lotus 56, Jones piloted a 1968 jet turbine powered Indy car designed to go after a Brickyard victory. An aerodynamic wedge-shaped vehicle, the Lotus 56 was a revision to a 1967 vehicle Parnelli Jones almost guided to a win at the Indy 500. As the race’s sanctioning body outlawed turbine-powered cars in 1969, the Lotus 56 retired winless in competition. Shown off at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the car was brought back to life projecting its unusual automotive sound to the crowd.

As an assortment of modern race vehicles rolled at the English motoring festival, current motorsport stars presented themselves to the crowds through the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the show. Recent Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, Formula 1 driver for Red Bull Racing Mark Webber and Mercedes GP’s Nico Rosberg were among a few names at Goodwood. IZOD INDYCAR Series point’s leader for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing Dario Franchitti showed some respect to some older racing machines than his regular Dallara-Honda. Driving a Mercedes-Benz 190 Evo II, Franchitti also received a second chance to pilot the 1965 Lotus 38. First rear-engined vehicle to win at the Indianapolis 500 in the hands of the legendary Jimmy Clark, Franchitti first connected to his fellow Scottish driver Lotus 38 last year in a photo-op at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Other active racers at Goodwood Festival of Speed included the McLaren Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Trusted with a variety of McLaren cars, the pair drove the 6-time winning 1980s McLaren MP4/1, the 2008 driver championship-winning MP4/23 car and the McLaren MP4-12C supercar. The Ferrari, Lotus-Renault GP and Red Bull Racing Formula 1 cars would also take to the Goodwood hill.

Having formally announced his retirement during mid-June, 81 year-old British driving ace Sir Sterling Moss gave the Goodwood crowd a show of motoring greatness. Well-regarded as the best Formula 1 driver never to win a world championship, Moss appeared to have exempted the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed. On the two days he was attended the event, Sterling Moss took the wheel of the 1961 Ferguson Project 99 (a car Moss declared his favourite Formula 1 car). For those wondering, yes the Ferguson name on the Formula 1 car was connected to the farm tractor company. In fact, the all-wheel drive open wheel racer was built as a showcase for the gearboxes employed on the tractors. Driven by Sterling Moss to victory in the 1961 International Gold Cup, non-championship Formula 1 held at Oulton Park, England racing in wet conditions. The victory is recorded as the last win by a front-engined Formula 1 car and the only victory by a four-wheel drive. Timed on the Goodwood hill, Moss negotiated the classic Ferguson Project 99 through the circuit in 1 minute, 42.6 seconds. While Sterling Moss was 6th fastest in the machine, the Ferguson Project 99 was wheeled to a best in category time of 1 minute and 2.3 seconds on Saturday in the hands of Stuart Rolt. Stuart Rolt is the son of the car co-developer and Formula 1 driver Tony Rolt.

Apart from the moving motorsport history lesson, many automotive companies provided traditional static displays. Showing off their latest products, Jaguar exhibited their CX-75 supercar while Ferrari brought the upcoming FF grand tourer to the public show. Displaying some modified performance with a hybrid powertrain, Honda allowed viewers to witness the Mugen-prepared CR-Z sports car.

After three days, the fortunate motoring-adoring crowds left having sampled a feast of dynamic automotive and motorcycle racing history. A 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed is an event words would fail to fully-encompass.

Information source: The Goodwood Estate Company Limited, Ferrari, Honda UK, Jaguar
Photo source: Ferrari, INDYCAR, Jaguar

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Much has been made of McLaren’s reentry into the world of automotive road cars. The rollout has been carefully and strategically planned over the last few years, with a glimpse of the car first coming in September 2009.

One thing is clear is that the company has had no expense spared in producing its vision of the very best mid-engined exotic at its price point. The MP4-12C is the McLaren’s first and only road going production car since the original world-record-beating F1.

With no dealer network to speak of, McLaren had to create one from scratch. The process took quite sometime and the company received 600 requests to start a dealer. Only 35 of the very best dealers made the cut, and the first has just opened in London. Other stores in England will follow, along with dealers in countries in Europe.

Here in North America we will have ten. Nine in these United states cities: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Newport Beach, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa. The one in Canada will be located in Toronto. These 35 dealers are all scheduled to open by the end of the year.

For some, a question has remained about what niche McLaren would carve in the market. McLaren executives have always claimed the market is big enough to support everyone, and that is proving itself to be true.

The MP4-12C has reportedly sold out a production run of a few thousand units, leaving the car sold-out for a few years, as McLaren plans to produce 1,000 of the cars a year. McLaren plans to produce 4,000 vehicles a year by the middle of the decade, once it introduces its full-lineup. Given the apparent success of the MP4-12C so far, we’d say they are well on their way to achieving that goal. Next on the company’s agenda is said to be a new version of the F1 supercar to to top the lineup.

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McLaren Automotive’s rollout has been long and deliberate, but production of the MP4-12C supercar is now underway and the company is moving forward with operations. The process of development behind the MP4-12C was long and meticulous, emblematic of the way the company approaches its sports cars.

McLaren has always been known for its racing program, and a singular roadcar, the McLaren F1. The F1 was the world’s fastest production car when it was produced, placing itself at the top of the automotive hierarchy.

The MP4-12C takes a different approach however, going for the thick of the supercar market against competitors like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo.

McLaren executives always hinted this was just the beginning though, and a new report details some of what to expect from a new supercar.

Called the “Mega Mac”, the car would reportedly be powered by a 799 horsepower V-8. The V-8, checking in at 5.0-liters, would be a bored-out version of McLaren’s current 3.8-liter V-8.

Autocar says the car would do battle with the Veyron. It isn’t clear if McLaren’s goal is to break any new records though. The numbers are no doubt blistering fast however, reaching 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, 100 mph in 5.5 and 200 mph in just 20 (!) seconds.The price tag also might indicate a different positioning than the F1 too, coming in at $600,000, on the lower side of outrageous supercar standards.

Of course it is all just speculation at this point, as none of these figures are official. We hope the new car has a three seat layout like the iconic original.

It is a very neat design element that also serves a functional purpose of putting the driver in the middle of the car. The McLaren F1 was a standard for design and engineering beauty that still continues to this day. The new supercar is said to debut in 2014 and have a run of 500 units.

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A pivotal part to the legend of a supercar is to establish a racing pedigree. Having found success in the quarters of closed road circuits and the expense of the open road in the 1990s with the McLaren F1, it is clear to McLaren the winning formula for the MP4-12C is to unleash a true athletic version for sports car racing. Preparing for competition with supercar rivals including Lamborghini Gallardo and the Aston Martin DBRS9, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 car plans to reseat the British performance house as the perennial favourite in sports car competition.

Upon announcing plans on going sports car racing Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive’s Program Director stated, “It was an obvious decision to take the 12C racing. From the early stages in the car’s development we were integrating key members of McLaren Racing into the road car development team and this blend of experience and skill, combined with a ‘can-do’ attitude and desire to push what is technically possible, has led to both a great road car and a unique racing car.”

Formulating McLaren GT in conjunction with British motorsport team CRS Racing, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 car metamorphosis into a competition car is under supervision by Team Principal at CRS Racing and McLaren GT Project Manager Andrew Kirkaldy. “CRS Racing is delighted to be working with McLaren. The expectations are high and rightly so. Together we share the passion for design, engineering innovation and racing success that will ensure the 12C GT3 is the most competitive in the series from 2012.”

Planning to roll out the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in select events for 2011, McLaren GT is referring to this season’s activities as the development stage. Involving, of course, Formula 1 technology utilized by McLaren’s top-flight grand prix team will be playing an important role in advancing the McLaren GT team’s learning curve. McLaren GT’s Project Manager Kirkaldy boasts about the success of lab-based testing after the race car’s first field test. “The performance of the car in Navarra was testament to the work we were able to do in the McLaren simulator in selecting the right set-up for the car. The virtual and real world versions of the 12C GT3 felt near-identical.”

The simple beauty of the McLaren MP4-12C supercar is romantically fitted for auto racing. Built around the same MonoCell chassis as the street version, the GT3 version of the McLaren MP4-12C utilizes the lightweight but enduring construction produced through Resin Transfer Molding. Doors to the race-purpose, driver-oriented interior proceeds to rise in the same majestic style as the exotic production car. With only minor aerodynamic additions under the GT3 category rules, the race-fitted MP4-12C exterior has been modified with exclusive carbon fiber pieces. A front splitter underneath special front fender louvers, rear diffuser and door blade are all unique touches to the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 car.

Though the McLaren MP4-12C is already a tempting high-performance creation for the street, the vehicle vital mechanicals require an entire refitting to meet the rigors of auto racing. To best suit the GT3 class rules, engine power from the MP4-12C GT3’s energetic 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged powerplant has been reduced by almost 100 horsepower. Producing roughly 592 horsepower, engineers of the detuned McLaren MP4-12C GT3 are actually excited to see how the produced-based mechanics will perform in race competition.

GT3 is a special 6-speed sequential transmission. Weighing 80 kilograms (just under 176.4 pounds) than the street version‘s 7-speed gearbox, the special sports car transmission is developed by the reputable hands of Ricardo. A diverse British-based engineering firm with history going back to 1927, Ricardo other contributions to motorsports includes co-development of the Xtrac used by Formula 1 teams. Completing the performance trim of the race car, Akebono-supplied brake calipers and Michelin tires are fitted to the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 supercar.

For 2011, the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car will be running at least three Blancpain Endurance Series races. Making a race debut on the Spanish Circuito de Navarra circuit on May 22nd, the McLaren GT and the MP4-12C GT3 car will also run the Magny-Cours round on August 27th and the Silverstone race on September 10th. The Total 24 hours of Spa is also indicated as part of the McLaren GT development program. Team Project Manager Kirkaldy looks forward to the work in 2011 paying dividends for 2012. “We want to make doing business with us a pleasure. If we can celebrate race wins together in spring 2012 then even better!” After the 2011 development period, a full campaign for the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 begins in 2012 as the car enters the FIA GT3 series or the Blancpain Endurance series full-time. McLaren will supply 20 cars for customer teams for the 2012 FIA GT3 series season with an additional 20 planned through to 2014. McLaren also mentioned they are willing to consider expanding the program.

Once the McLaren MP4-12C enters competition, it will be interesting to note the new British supercar is likely to face McLaren’s one-time ally. Entered into competition this year, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is actively competing on the FIA GT3 circuit. In 2012, we can see the partners turned rivals fight for glory with their, modern, desirable sports cars.

Information and photo source: McLaren Automotive

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Created in 2003, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren represented one of the most potent supercars thanks to a partnership between two major speed shops. Stoked in 2000 when Mercedes-Benz connected themselves to the McLaren Formula 1 team by obtaining 40% ownership into the operation, the SLR McLaren was the street-going expression of a relationship working well. A grouping that worked through the first decade of the 21st century, Mercedes-Benz chose to enter Formula 1 with their own factory racing team divesting themselves of the ownership interest in the McLaren F1 organization.

The start up of the Mercedes-GP team had also coincided with the end of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren’s production run. For what will be likely the one and only collaboration between the German car builder and the British engineering company, the silver lining (pardon the pun) comes with the creation of a supercar by each company. McLaren introduces their mid-engined MP4-12C as a 2012 car while The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG came to reality for 2011. However, while the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren’s production run is over, Edo Competition sees the full performance potential of the historic mergence was not completely exploited.

The Edo SLR Black Arrow is the grandest presentation of the joint Mercedes-Benz/McLaren supercar. Painted with a flat black tone, the Edo SLR Black Arrow is revealed wearing ‘722’ numbering and striping. A number significant to Mercedes-Benz sports car racing, Sir Sterling Moss drove a #722 Mercedes-Benz to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia. On this Edo version, the ’722′ takes on a different meaning. Within high-performance tires, special Edo 21-inch wheels are painted black to match the exterior shade. A tasteful accent of red frames the Edo wheel rim’s spoke detail. If a customer wishes a different colour of wheels, Edo can custom paint the wheels by request.

Outfitting their modified Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at their Ahlen, Germany facility, Edo Competition applied the major changes to the supercar’s powertrain. Working over an already powerful supercharged 5.5 liter V-8, Edo summons 72 additional horsepower beyond the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren’s Sterling Moss model. Modifying the engine’s supercharger and electronic control unit, the Edo SLR Black Arrow also benefits from a high performance exhaust system matched with high flow catalytic converters to achieve 722 horsepower (answering the usage of ’722′ numbering on the exterior). Thanks to the Edo SLR Black Arrow’s 656 pounds-feet of torque, the modified supercar launches from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 3.4 seconds (rated 0.3 seconds than the stock SLR McLaren model). The Edo SLR Black Arrow’s top speed is also heightened over the stock SLR McLaren improving by 6 miles per hour. Still electronically limited, 214 miles per hour is granted through a firm press on the supercar’s accelerator.

Not only a mover, the Edo SLR Black Arrow shakes up the supercar with high-tech goodies. Edo adds a custom surround sound system that provides ample enjoyment of a center console multimedia unit. Feeding not only navigational and rear view camera images to the driver, entertainment coming from iPod compatible stereo or a TV tuner is in place. Interior aesthetics appropriately caters the performance seeker by furnishing carbon fiber accents around the cabin. Seating of the Edo SLR Black Arrow is a blend of leather and alcantara providing both luxury as well as sport. Alcantara covers the steering wheel and shifter provides a thrilling feel of race car-like touch inside the SLR Black Arrow.

The exact price of the Edo SLR Back Arrow is not mentioned but the current value of a 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR (the last year of the 722 coupe version) runs at $449,000 according to NADA Guides. Certain to add value to an already valuable supercar, Edo Competition’s advancements will be at least one more time to witness the greatness of cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren.

Information and photo source: Edo Competition

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After years of a development and a careful rollout that included extensive media background briefings over the past two years,, the McLaren MP4-12C recently went into production in England. The first models are being built in McLaren’s small McLaren Technical Center (MTC) while the full production facility, the McLaren Production Center (MPC) goes online in May.

The new supercar is the result of a a strong effort by McLaren to enter the volume exotic car segment. McLaren Automotive is spearheading the effort, an entity split off from McLaren Racing.

In addition to the MP4-12C, new models are slated to be coming up and down the range, including a new range-topping supercar as well as a competitor in high-end 911 territory. For now, the MP4-12C is aimed straight at the heart of the exotic segment, gunning for competition like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560.

Members of the automotive media were recently invited out to England to experience the MP4-12C, and the company has released a video showing some of their reactions. There is also two other releases that focus on the car’s stunning (especially for the price) specifications as well as the company’s high-tech driving simulation system.

The McLaren MP4-12C’s official pricetag is $231,400, and while it certainly a high figure, it’s looking like a comparatively good deal to us. Check out the company’s new videos below to help decide for yourself.

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So the exotic ride of your dreams is unlikely to be awaiting you in the new year? The ultra-elite stimulant of a six or even now seven-digit automobile is untouchable for many motorist taste buds to ever comprehend. While those in the possession of an extravagant automobile needs little assistance in advertising their status, automakers routinely license their brands to merchandisers in order to supply customers seeking an extension to their beloved premium vehicle.

Diecast, pens and clothing are common examples of lifestyle items with more tailored items such as jewelry or high-quality leather jackets available. Existing as the peak of automotive licensing, timepieces are a leading accessory that often mirrors the luxury and exoticness of its four wheel counterpart. From some of the most lavish car builders, a multitude of wrist watches can be found all by itself on the luxury scale.

Aston Martin and Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 Transponder Watches

Price: $24,400

With Aston Martin being so closely linked fiction superspy James Bond, it would only be appropriate for their official timekeeping piece incorporates some truly unique features. Being associated with the British luxury sports car builder, the high-quality mechanical watch offers keyless entry controls. Able to lock and unlock doors by a push of a watch button, the AMVOX2 Transponder watch is catered to the DBS, DB9 and the Rapide models. Each vehicle features an unique-looking Jaeger-Coultre AMVOX2 Transponder watch created with rich materials and visible movement.

Spyker Timepieces

Price: $9,750 to $30,500

Until recently, Spyker Cars has been one of the lesser known supercar producers in the world. Thanks to the high-profile acquisition of Saab, the Spyker name is starting to register as a noted figure within the auto industry. Gaining in reputation, Spyker has partnered with Thierry Chaunu of Expression D’Artistes International S.A to create some ultra-exclusive wrist watches to reflect their desired profile. Limited to a run of 1,000 examples each, a polished steel and a matt black titanium watch goes to extended lengths in duplicating the dash gauges of their C8 and C12 Supercar. Spyker Timepieces also sells a 18k Gold and Rose Gold finish model at a most premium price and in very limited release of 250 a piece.

Infiniti Bell and Ross BR03-92 Instrument Phantom Watch

Price: £2,809.97 ($4,331.35)

Designed with an ultra-modern look, a rare 100 examples of the Infiniti Bell and Ross BR03-92 Instrument Phantom watch went on sale June 1, 2010 in Europe. A black carbon powder finish coating the 42mm casing of the BR03-92 watch has drawn influence from the Limited Edition trim of the Infiniti FX crossover vehicle’s exterior. Each BR03-02 Instrument Phantom watch is individually-numbered.

Ferrari Lap Time Chronograph

Price: $525.36

Italian sports car builder Ferrari has always possessed a knack for stirring passion within their legion of fans. Benefiting form the wide population of Ferrari followers who own or want to own one of their superior supercars, merchandising the iconic badge has promoted a highly-visible presence. Among the collection of approved items is the Ferrari Lap Time Chronograph timepiece. Within the combined analog/digital face, a choice of three colours frames the printed numbers from digital display. Black and yellow will likely play a backseat to red for many true Ferrari fans. Functions for the Ferrari Lap Time Chronograph includes a timer, alarm and three time zone listing.

Breitling for Bentley GMT British Racing Chronograph

Price: Est. £7,500 ($11,560.66)

The Breitling for Bentley GMT British Racing Chronograph is created as a commemoration of the new Continental GT fittingly in a rare, unique sport-style. Encased in steel construction, this specific limited edition timepiece’s analog display is framed with British Racing Green and 38 jewels. Worn with either a black or British Racing Green wrist band, the Breitling for Bentley GMT British Racing Chronograph relates faithfully the high-class engineering that Bentley places in their famed vehicles. Featuring COSC certified Brietling Calibre 47B movement, this self-winding wrist watch features the simple large face with 3 totalizers indicating 6-hour, 15-minute and 30-second times. With only 1,000 examples of this Brietling for Bentley timepiece set to be issued worldwide, pure luxury will be kept to a select few individuals.

Mercedes-Benz Tourneau Black Wrist Watch

Price: $170.00

Very guarded with the proper usage of their circular-framed tri-star badge, Mercedes-Benz does maintain a steady and assorted lineup of approved products. A stainless steel timepiece, the Mercedes-Benz official wrist watch produced by jewelry and fine accessory company Tourneau Black sports a simple, classic design. A single face is accented by small representation of the Mercedes-Benz logo. Survivable of up to 10 atmospheres of pressure, the Mercedes-Benz Tourneau Black watch is water resistant to 100 meters.

Tag Heuer SLR Automatic Chronograph

Price: Est. $3,000-4,500

While the finely-crafted watch from Tourneau Black is an excellent personal accessory to advertise fondness of the Stuttgart automaker, Mercedes-Benz is also associated with Swiss timepiece maker Tag Heuer. Made possible by Tag Heuer being a partnered with the McLaren Formula 1 and street car companies, the SLR Automatic Chronograph pays tribute to the now-discontinued Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren supercar. An all-steel automatic chronograph, this watch has black, white and red details contained within the face shielded behind a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Instead of the typical circular counters, smaller dial semi-circular readouts resemble a vehicle’s dash panel.

Now, thanks to this recent listing of timepiece accessories relating to major premium automotive brands, I must apologize if I put the dream car a little further from your reality. However, there is always the promises for what riches the new year can bring.

Information and photo source: Mercedes Benz, Tag Heuer, Breitling for Bentley, Ferrari North America and Newspress UK

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Whether the McLaren MP4-12C can be a serious threat to Ferrari road cars or not remains to be seen. But a quick glance at the specs of their latest, and it’s pretty clear that the likes of Porsche, Aston-Martin and so on are about to get bitch-slapped like a convicted bank robbers new celly.

If you just want the raw numbers they break down like this:
2 seats
3 in-car cameras (all the better to record your lap at the ‘Ring)
7 speeds
8 cylinders
10 seconds from zero to 125 mph
200 mph top speed
300 grams/km of CO2
442 pound feet of torque
600 horsepower
1,300 kilos
$244,000

How do you like me now?

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

And no, if you’re a manufacturer, and thinking you can beat that, keep in mind this is just the FIRST of a range of McLaren cars they are planning.

McLaren is setting up to produce up to 1,000 12Cs to be delivered in 2011 through a global network of dedicated McLaren retailers. The sales offices will be set up in all the major markets in North America, Europe, Middle-East, South Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Over 500 have applied for slots to be retailers, but only 35 will make the initial cut for franchises in 19 countries. McLaren also highlights that their road car division will focus on aftersales, quality, innovation and ‘clean-sheet’ business plans.

They also say that ” … initial interest is very strong with 1,600 ‘expressions of interest to purchase’, 12 months before launch. ” But that’s to be expected, and that’s also a good ratio to keep in mind, since not all of those 1600 will be there with check in hand in a year’s time.

Anyway, McLaren’s aspiration for the new automotive company is to go up against world’s best sports car brands head-to-head with a range of two-seat cars. All the while introducing innovative technologies, business practices and customer experiences that ” … will re-write the rule book for the automotive industry.” Well okee-dokee Ron. Never one to shy away from telling people how great you are, were you?

Although I have to quibble with this statement: “McLaren is approaching its new road car business in the same focused, agile and passionate way that the company’s motorsport division has practiced throughout its 40 year history as the world’s most successful motor racing team. ”

Ah, no Ronny. The world’s most successful motor racing team is Ferrari, and you guys ain’t even close. Like you could put that out (in print no less) and not be called on it? Don’t be such a punk-ass.

But back to their first offering. They say that the 12C will be ‘pure’ McLaren, and they ain’t lying about that. Every part of the 12c, from the V8 twin-turbo race-derived engine to all switches and electronics, are designed by McLaren.

And that also means lots and lots of carbon fiber (which you would expect). The 12C features a revolutionary one-piece molded carbon chassis, called “the MonoCell,” that McLaren says will cascade technologies into a new market for this strong and lightweight material. The 12C will be the first car in the £125,000 to £175,000 market segment to feature a carbon chassis.

I say either get in line, or get to working on building a better mousetrap.

Photos: McLaren

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Looks like McLaren is pretty serious with its new, in house, MP4-12C sportscar. Announced scant weeks ago, the McLaren MP4-12C is the grand prix teams second entry into building road cars that people like you and I could buy if we were super rich. Their first road car, the F1, was pretty much a smashing success by every measurement. So calling the MP4-12C a successor is a bit of a misnomer. But one thing we can call it is “inbound”, because McLaren says they’re going to sell the car here in America.

Getting the F1 here to America was, ironically, the only thing the car did not succeed at, officially at least. The McLaren F1 had to be brought in through loopholes, with considerable delays, costs and modifications. Through the gray market in other words. A few lucky, and very rich people like Ralph Lauren are owners of the F1, but the new McLaren MP4-12C will come in through the front door. According to reports, America figures large in the Woking based outfit’s plans.

Not only has McLaren appointed a regional manger for North America and Europe, but they have also lined up managers for the Middle East and Africa, meaning that McLaren is not going to let any possible sales go unattended.

As far as North America is concerned, the main offices will be based somewhere in the New York area and will be headed by one Anthony Joseph. Joseph is a former regional manager for Porsche, Ferrari and Maserati, so he not only knows high performance, limited run sportscars, but also the sorts of people who buy them.

His first task will be to set up ten dealer franchises in the United States and Canada. No word on where those franchises will be, but you could hazard a guess that the car lots will be where there’s lots of money to be had (e.g. places like L.A.).

McLaren is planning on sales beginning in the spring of 2011. So, if you have the money and the garage space, you might to be making some calls to England.

Source: AutoBlog

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Looks like McLaren’s obsession with beating Ferrari is taking to the roads again, although this time with a less ambitious offering than their highly impressive F1 three-seater of yore. That’s an artist rendering you see pictured here, and although it has some of the styling cues of the F1, a lot of commenter on various message boards have slammed the car as looking derivative; some see a lot of the Porsche Carrera GT, others see various Japanese influences.

Those are just random people with opinions (in most cases) but perhaps the most damning criticism comes from within.

The new car, dubbed the MP4-12C features an automatic variable rate suspension, that at low speeds is softer “to prevent the jaw-jarring experience you get in most sports cars if you hit a pothole at slow speed,” according to McLaren main man Ron Dennis. And when you park the MP4-12C at home, you can use wireless internet to download MP3 music files, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and Google maps with driving directions from your computer to the car. Which is nifty, no doubt about it.

Dennis and his partners have already sunk £100 million on the venture, and they plan racing variants, as well as extending the model range down, to include a car to go head-to-head against the likes of the Porsche 911 and another model higher to compete against cars like Ferrari Enzos and Bugatti Veyrons.

Best of luck with that, Ron. He has decided to launch a new, high end car brand during the worst recession since The Great Depression, and to also go up against people like Ferrari, Maserati, Audi, Aston Martin, Bentley, Porsche, Bugatti and even Ford.

The MP4-12C is small two-seater, as any real sports car should be. Out back there’s a high-revving V8 engine, and a seven-speed gearbox. The chassis is carbon fiber and it features “gullwing” doors that open upwards, not outwards.

The design of the MP4-12C was done by Frank Stephenson. On the upcoming MP4-12C he says: “It has an iconic design, like the E-type Jaguar and, on all performance parameters and price, will be better than our competition.” Strong stuff, and who could disagree with him since he’s the same fellow responsible for the new Mini, Ferrari’s F430 and the new Fiat 500.

Well one guy who is, is Gordon Murray, the man behind the McLaren F1.

“It’s bound to disappoint,” Said Murray expressing his uncertainties “There’s no point in trying to outdo the F1, they’ll never do it. The world has moved on and anyone who thinks the market for Gallardo-type cars is going to bounce back to levels of two or three years ago is dreaming… “From what I’ve heard, McLaren has gone back to producing a big car with a heavy engine. People will inevitably see it as a successor to the F1 but I can’t see any way in which people aren’t going to be disappointed. They’ve just taken the wrong route for it. That’s a shame.”

Ouch!

Sour grapes, or fair criticisms from a man who knows what he’s talking about?

Source: Axis Of Oversteer

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Here’s something you don’t see down at the used car lot very much: A McLaren F1 GTR Long Tail, that would be the racing version of the Gordon Murray-designed, BMW-powered three seater that redefined what the concept of “supercar” is. Not only is it the race version, but it’s all laid out in Gulf Oil colors.

Sa-WEET!

For the uninitiated, the McLaren F1 was the brainchild of Gordon Murray. Murray is from South Africa, and as a kid, and like a lot of us gearheads, he spent a lot of time drawing racecars on the covers of various notebooks. One concept that you could see him draw over and over again was a radical, three seat sports car. The driver sat in the middle, and was flanked by his two passengers.

Fast forward a few decades, and Gordon Murray is now one of the senior and most respected designers in all of Formula One racing. Championship winning cars for the likes of Brabham, and his then-current employer, McLaren, innovations up the ying-yang (go look up “Brabham fan car” on Google and see what you get), but he still ha that three-seater idea rattling around upstairs.

So he somehow convinced the head dude at McLaren, Ron Dennis, to not only build the thing, but fund it (and prying money out of Ron’s hand is like opening up a clam with a popsicle stick).

By the time Murray was done the automotive benchmarks had been considerable moved. The F1 was light, way under 3000 pounds, motivated by a 6 liter BMW V12, and everything that could be was carbon fiber, not just the body-work, but the chassis itself. The performance numbers were huge, but the one that stuck out the most was the F1′s top speed: 243 MPH

Now, at those speeds the F1′s handling was dodgy at best. No less a driver than Mario Andretti described the handling as “spooky” and used phrases like “I think there’s some serious aero problems at those speeds,” but still, if you had the room and the attachments, you could get it to go over 240.

Aero problems you say Mario? Well funny he should mention that, because around the same time he was speaking, McLaren were modifying the F1 to go Le Mans racing … and the first thing that Murray did was add on a long, aero streamlined tail and a big honkin’ wing (the original F1 had an active aero flap at the back, but that sort of stuff is strictly verboten on the race track, so it had to go).

Which leads us to the extremely rare McLaren F1 GTR long tail in Gulf team livery that we now see up for sale.

How rare, you ask? Well McLaren only made 100 F1s to begin with, and out of those, only 28 were F1 GTR race cars built for private customers competing in the FIA GT series and the 24 Heures du Mans. The one that’s up for sale is supposedly the last model of the series with chassis number #28R, and belonged to the ‘Gulf Team Davidoff’ outfit and features the characteristic stretched bodywork of the ‘Long Tail’ F1 GTR, which McLaren only made ten of in 1997.

In addition to the long tail aerodynamic treatment and the wider rear wing, the ’97 models also featured improvements to the 600HP BMW Motorsport V12 mill, an all-new sequential transmission and they lopped off enough weight to get the beast tipping the scales at a Miata-like 2,017 lbs.

One word: ee-YOW!!!!

If you’ve got the scratch, then dig deeper, cause it’s up for sale … and if you’ve got that kind of money, and a hankering for cars like this, give me a call, cause you just became my new best friend.

Source: CarScoop

Photo from Flickr user Evil Monkey Ali

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You could start by saying something biblical, like the lord giveth, and the lord taketh away but it’s actually more prosaic than that. McLaren/Mercedes has been having a hell of a season (in a bad way) in this year’s grand prix competition. And this past weekends race at Turkey is one of their worst in memory.

A lot of people are scratching their heads, but the actual reason as to why things are so bad and why they’re getting whopped is a little more easily understood and prosaic.

The thumbnail sketch goes like this:

McLaren/Mercedes, one of the best grand prix racing teams out there, and the defending champions of the drivers title have been completely lost at sea since the drop of the flag at the first race of the year in Australia. It’s nothing specifically wrong, it’s everything. No grip, no speed, no straight-line acceleration, and they’ve been trying to get a handle on the new KERS system, and that hasn’t been so good either.

McLaren has not been alone, though. Doing only slightly better is last year’s constructor’s champions, Ferrari. And there in lies one of the reasons why McLaren is having such a bad time of it this year.

Most importantly, there have been a whole new raft of rules implemented for the ’09 round of the Grand Prix World Championship. Slick tires are back, there’s huge aero changes (bigger front wing, much smaller rear, “simplified” underbody etc.), and you can now run a KERS (Kinetic Energy recovery System) hybrid drive if you’d like. Any one of these would have meant a lot of time and trouble for a team, but McLaren are big enough to handle that. All of the changes combined though, that’s a pretty steep hill to climb … And McLaren (along with Ferrari) didn’t start trying to climb it until way late in the game.

See, the two teams were so damn busy trying to knock the stuffing out of one another last year (the titles weren’t decided until literally the last corner of the last lap of the last race), that they didn’t get started on the 2009 cars (the ones with all the changes) until very, very late in the game.

That’s strike one.

The other bad news is that some of their competition, most noticeably Red Bull, Toyota and “newcomers” Brawn, had been working on their ’09 cars for a long while. Brawn, in particular, have been working on their car since May of 2008. But that was when Brawn was known as Honda, and Honda’s ’08 season was going so bad, they simply threw in the towel on the whole season, and literally said, ‘Screw it! We’ll just start working on the 2009 car instead.’

That’s strike two.

And on top of all this, most of the teams looked at the new-for-09 rules and said, “OK, the new underbody has to look like XXX.” Toyota and, most significantly Brawn, looked at the rules as they were written, and saw a HUGE loophole and built a very smart diffuser design.

That’s strike three.

It’s not so much that McLaren came up with a bad design, it’s that the competition came up with a better one. McLaren didn’t fail so much as the others have succeeded.

Ah well, so it goes in the racing world. Keep on boys. Look at it as a development year, and concentrate on what the 2010 car should be.

Here’s the McLaren/Mercedes presser (being as upbeat as they can):

GP Türkei: Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen 13th and 1414
Stuttgart, Jun 07, 2009

LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-24-04
Started: 16th Finished: 13th
Fastest lap: 1m28.662s (15th) Pitstops: one (Pr-Op)
Championship points: 9 Championship pos: 11th
Starting with a heavily fuelled car, Lewis was unable to start the race aggressively and slotted into 17th. Adopting a single-stop strategy from the off, he pushed hard throughout, always maximising the car’s potential and, by virtue of passing the two-stopping cars pitting ahead of him, worked his way up to 10th before making his sole pitstop on lap 32. Switching from the Prime to the Option tyre, he rejoined in 16th, was passed by Nelson Piquet but put in another strong stint to recover to 13th by the chequer.
“It was quite an uneventful race but I actually enjoyed myself this afternoon,” Lewis said. “I was very heavy at the start but I just pushed and pushed. That’s why I can smile – because I think I drove to my full potential.
“The most important thing is for us to keep our heads up and to keep pushing. I see my role from now on as helping the team to cure the problems with this year’s car and to make next year’s car the best it can possibly be. When the team gives me a car to win, I will win.
“Now we look ahead to Silverstone – I really wish Jenson all the best: he did a fantastic job today. Personally, I hope I can come away from my home race with a great feeling from my home fans. I hope they won’t give up supporting me.”

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
MP4-24-03
Started: 14th Finished: 14th
Fastest lap: 1m29.174s (18th) Pitstops: two (Op-Pr-Op)
Championship points: 4 Championship pos: 13th
Making a strong start, Heikki was able to slot into 11th by the end of the first lap, settling into an enthralling cat-and-mouse battle with Rubens Barrichello, who had slipped down the order at the start. Defending hard against the faster car, Heikki continually stayed ahead of Rubens, using his KERS to push back past on the startline after Rubens had nosed ahead out of the final corner. The dice concluded on lap eight when Rubens attempted to look up the inside into Turn Nine and the pair touched, pitching Heikki into a brief tank-slapper and Rubens into a harmless spin.
Thereafter, Heikki pitted on laps 19 and 42 and ran to the chequer in 14th after the team elected to reduce his engine settings to preserve the Mercedes-Benz motor.
“This was a character-building race for everybody in the team,” Heikki said afterwards. “At the start of the race, I really got the maximum out of the car and I’m pleased about that. I had a good fight with Rubens too – it was great to be racing hard and fair and it was very satisfying to keep a faster car at bay with some good old-fashioned racing tactics and also our KERS hybrid.
“In the final stint, the engineers elected to turn down the revs to protect my engine. Still, we have to be realistic: we finished 14th and we all know we can do better. We’ve had some great days in the past and we’ll continue to push hard to enjoy some great days in the future.”

MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“In extremely frustrating circumstances, both Lewis and Heikki performed very impressively this afternoon. They both tried their hardest throughout the race, and we’re grateful for their sterling efforts. Of course, it’s frustrating that two such forceful drives went unrewarded in terms of world championship points, but the fact is that our car just isn’t as quick as we’d like it to be. So, now, we’ll go back to Woking and we’ll work hard to rectify its deficiencies, but there’s no magic cure. No, instead, the remedy will be found via hard work, and one thing our team isn’t afraid of is hard work – which, it goes without saying, I’m also extremely grateful for. But, returning to the subject of today’s race, the fact that Rubens, in an extremely competitive car, was unable to make anything of his afternoon once he’d got bogged down at the start, demonstrates all too clearly that, in modern-day Formula 1, as close-fought as it is, it’s more or less impossible to make useful progress from the back of the field. That may be frustrating, but it’s true nonetheless.”

NORBERT HAUG
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“We knew that this type of circuit would be difficult for us. Whereas the car works okay in sector three with its long straightaway and tight corners where we are as quick as anybody, we struggle massively on the quick parts of this racetrack. We have to make fundamental improvements and everybody in the team is aware of that. Thanks to Lewis and Heikki who both drove faultless races and extracted the maximum from their cars.
“The Brawn car and Jenson Button are in a league of their own – so none of their competitors can currently be satisfied and certainly we least. Congratulations for the sixth win from Jenson in the seventh race of the season and a big thank you to our engine guys who have put in a perfect effort so far.”

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