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.

McLaren MP4-12C Enters Production, 1,000 Cars to be Built this Year [with Video]

McLaren Automotive's brand new MP4-12C has reached another milestone with the start of production at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England. The British sports car maker said it plans to build up to 1,000 examples of the MP4-12Cs this year, with most cars to be manufactured in a bespoke new £40m McLaren Production Centre, which is due for completion in May on a site neighboring the MTC facility.

The MP4-12C was first presented to the public at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England in July 2010, ahead of a North American debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August of the same year.

It is powered by a mid-mounted 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 600HP and 443 lb-ft, developed in-house by McLaren, and can complete the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in under 3.0 seconds and the quarter mile in around 11 seconds, while reaching a top speed in excess of 200mph or 322km.

Prices for the MP4-12C start at around €200,000 in mainland Europe, £168,500 in the UK and at $229,000 in the US.

Today, McLaren also released a new short film called 'Best of 2010', which features appearances from F1 racing stars Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, visitors’ reactions to the 12C at its debut events as well as new footage of the car winter testing at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Scroll down to watch it.

VIDEO: New McLaren MP4-12C Beats the Snot Out of Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche 911 Turbo in Drag Race

Even before McLaren released the final specifications on the brand-new MP4-12C, we knew that the British firm's supercar was fast, but if we are to believe this video that mysteriously popped up on Youtube, then the MP4-12C has a serious speed edge over some of its most famed rivals - at least in a straight line race. The video shows the McLaren MP4-12C clearly beating both the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Porsche 911 Turbo MkII [997] in a drag race believed to have taken place at the Portimao Circuit in Portugal. You can watch the short clip along with a couple more fresh videos released by McLaren right after the jump.

Via: GTspirit & McLaren

McLaren MP4-12C Final figures [Official]

• 0 - 200kph in 9.1s (8.9s on optional Corsa tyres)
• CO₂ emissions of 279g/km (equating to 24.2 EU mpg combined)
• 0 - 100kph in 3.3s (3.1s with optional Corsa tyres)
• top speed: 330kph (205mph)
• 100 - 0 kph in 30.5 m (100 ft)
• ¼ mile: 10.9s @ 135 mph
• dry weight (with lightweight options): 1301kgs / 2868 lbs
• carbon MonoCell chassis weight: 75kgs / 165 lbs
• power: weight (lightweight options): 461PS / 455bhp per tonne.
• power: 600PS (592bhp) at 7,000 rpm
• torque: 600Nm between 3,000 – 7,000 rpm

SPECIFICATIONS

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.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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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."