Video: McLaren MP4-12C

It's the new MP4-12C from McLaren and they used to produce the F1 if you followed super cars and that was a near million dollar super car that was sold about 10 years ago. This one's gonna be a little less expensive. It's supposed to start around 225 to $250,000 and eventually McLaren promises a range of cars. Now, this one will be in the middle and they'll offer a lower price model, then an even higher price model eventually. One of the things McLaren's focused on in their cars is a weight reduction, and you see it in the new MP4-12C in a number of different areas. From the aluminum body panels to the sheet molded composite body panels, to also to the core chassis of this car. It's made of a one-piece molded carbon fiber tub and the total weight is just 2,800 pounds approximately, and that's only 300 pounds more than a mini Cooper. There's also a number of smaller weight saving measures that the car employs like a single windshield wiper and no door handles on the car either, you just swipe your hand below it, it lifts open, and it also reveals the single hinge to hold it in front, but the door looks pretty cool when it's open this way too. Power comes from a twin turbo 3.8 liter V8 engine that's rated at 592 horsepower and 443 pounds feet of torque. And that's quick enough to accelerate the car to zero to 60 in less than four seconds with a top speed of more than 200 miles per hour. Now this engine teams with a seven speed dual clutch transmission that's shifted with paddles on the steering wheel. There's no conventional manual offered in this car. Now even though the car looks small on the outside, it's actually pretty large once you get inside. There's good head room and good leg room and I'm just over six feet tall. So that means even taller drivers who buy this car are gonna be able to get fairly comfortable inside it. One of the cool features you can get in this is a camera system that can record your travels around a racetrack so you can review it later after you're done. When the MP4-12C hits US dealerships next summer, it's entering a crowded field of exotic super cars from the likes of Lamborghini and Aston Martin. But I think this car is gonna appeal to those shoppers because it's gonna offer that level of exclusivity as well as performance potential. It's just something people in the US haven't seen yet and I think that's gonna be really attractive. <v Announcer>For more car related news, go to cars.com or our blog KickingTires.net.