McLaren MP4 enters production
Feb 2, 2011 | 10:42 AM
#1
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| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 31,554
From: Zoo York
McLaren MP4 enters production 
Autocar Reports:
McLaren’s new MP4-12C supercar has entered production at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. The first example (called Chassis 01) is the first of up to 1000 MP4-12Cs that McLaren will build in 2011, although production switch to its bespoke new £40 million McLaren Production Centre adjacent to the MTC in May.
The MP4-12C was first shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last summer and has since toured several cities that will be part of its new 35-strong dealer network. The car will cost from £168,500, around £3000 less than its chief rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZB-mQrzfEQ
Company boss Ron Dennis has previously pledged that buyers will not only get the fastest car money can buy with the MP4-12C, but also the highest build quality and highest level of dealer and aftersales support from any car manufacturer.
The MP4’s Ricardo-developed, twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre 90-degree V8 engine will rev to 8500rpm, with its maximum 592bhp output arriving at 7000rpm. The peak 442lb ft of torque is available from 3000rpm, although 80 per cent is available between 2000-6500rpm. McLaren says the car will travel from 0-124mph in less than 10 seconds, and stop from 124mph in less than five seconds.
The MP4-12C was first shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last summer and has since toured several cities that will be part of its new 35-strong dealer network. The car will cost from £168,500, around £3000 less than its chief rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZB-mQrzfEQ
Company boss Ron Dennis has previously pledged that buyers will not only get the fastest car money can buy with the MP4-12C, but also the highest build quality and highest level of dealer and aftersales support from any car manufacturer.
The MP4’s Ricardo-developed, twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre 90-degree V8 engine will rev to 8500rpm, with its maximum 592bhp output arriving at 7000rpm. The peak 442lb ft of torque is available from 3000rpm, although 80 per cent is available between 2000-6500rpm. McLaren says the car will travel from 0-124mph in less than 10 seconds, and stop from 124mph in less than five seconds.
PRESS RELEASE
McLAREN AUTOMOTIVE'S FIRST MAJOR MILESTONE OF 2011 AS MP4-12C ENTERS PRODUCTION
02/02/11
First McLaren MP4-12C ('Chassis 01') production car takes shape in McLaren Technology Centre
2011 milestone announced with a new high quality 'best of' short film capturing highlights of the 2010 12C launch programme: available to view at www.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv
WOKING, UK (02 February) – Following a successful public world debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed, and a series of exclusive presentations to prospective customers and media across the globe in 2010, the first McLaren MP4-12C high-performance sports car has begun production at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England.
McLaren Automotive plans to build up to 1,000 12Cs in 2011. Most will be manufactured in a bespoke new £40m McLaren Production Centre, which is due for completion in May on a site adjacent to MTC. However, 'Chassis 01' is being built in the existing MTC production facility, where outstanding quality and highly efficient production methods have been fine-tuned since the Foster + Partners-designed building opened in 2004.
The innovative 12C was first presented to the public at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England in July 2010, prior to a North American debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August. 12Cs were then presented at exclusive events to prospective customers and media around the world as McLaren Automotive toured many of the cities that will form a network of 35 retailer launch locations.
Milestone events in the 2010 launch year for the 12C have been captured in a new short film, which can be viewed online at McLaren Automotive's official You Tube channel: www.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv
This short film features appearances from Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, the 2008 and 2009 FIA Formula 1 Drivers' World Champions. Both have enjoyed testing prototype 12Cs and continue to feed back their thoughts on the car's development. The video also captures visitors' reactions to the 12C at its debut events. Brand new footage reveals McLaren Automotive's Chief Test Driver Chris Goodwin taking the car winter testing at Dunsfold Aerodrome – also known as the BBC Top Gear test track – as he assesses ESP calibration on Winter settings as part of the 12C's variable Proactive Chassis Control system.
Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director said: "Meeting our prospective customers at launch events around the world, from Dubai to Cape Town, Paris to Los Angeles, has filled us with inspiration. There is genuine desire for McLaren to be launching our own range of sports cars, and an exciting appreciation of what McLaren stands for: innovation, technology leadership, and a winning mentality.
"In five years, the MP4-12C has evolved from a concept we developed in our own Formula 1 simulator, to a groundbreaking high-performance sports car offering unique technologies and outstanding dynamic performance. It has been an intensive development programme, but now the fun really begins as our future owners look forward to taking delivery of their 12Cs.
"Feedback from our customers shows they understand McLaren Automotive is as committed to delivering a high quality sports cars and a fantastic ownership experience as a our Formula 1 team is to winning races. With 'Chassis One' now in production, our new network of 35 retailers in 19 countries worldwide is ready to deliver on this promise."
Feb 2, 2011 | 07:09 PM
#9
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,097
From: East Coast
That is awesome I cannot wait to see one in the flesh. I wish I could get involved with these cars in some way shape or form
, as does everyone I would imagine.
I have friend who does marketing and does new car launches, worked with Aston for a bit, and he doesn't even like cars!! Dickhead!!
, as does everyone I would imagine. I have friend who does marketing and does new car launches, worked with Aston for a bit, and he doesn't even like cars!! Dickhead!!