First Impression: McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren set the automotive world on fire when it released the McLaren F1 in 1992. The F1 was the first ever hypercar, reaching a top speed on 242 mph with the rev limiter removed. From 2003 to 2012, McLaren worked with Mercedes-Benz on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. In 2011, McLaren released the McLaren MP4-12C, a rear-mid engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door supercar.

I recently saw the MP4-12C at the March 2012 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. This is one stylish supercar, mixing beauty with aggressiveness. The exterior has very sleek lines. There is something about scissor doors that add to the styling. The scissor doors gave character to the F1 and SLR and the scissor doors give character to the MP4-12C. The interior is nothing special. The McLaren F1 was a three seater with the driver seat located in the middle and two passenger seats in the rear.

McLaren MP4-12C Interior

The MP4-12C is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8L V8, paired with seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, that produces 592 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 205 mph. Prices for the MP4-12C start at $229,000. Compared to a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Ferrari 458 Italia, the MP4-12C is quicker and faster for around the same price. Just one problem with trying to buy a MP4-12C, they are sold out.

The MP4-12C was featured on Top Gear Series 17, episode 3, in which Jeremy Clarkson compared the car to a  Ferrari 458 Italia. It was also featured in Cars 2, Fifth Gear, Auto Esporte, Jay Leno's Garage, and Clarkson: Powered Up. The MP4-12C is playable in 3D L.A. Supercars, Asphalt 3D, Parking Mania, Need For Speed: Shift, Test Drive Unlimited, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Driver: San Francisco, Split/Second, Gran Turismo 5, Real Racing, Need For Speed: the Run, Shit 2: Unleashed, Forza Motorsport 3, Nitto 1320 Legends, Forza Motorsport 4, Race Town, and Car Town.

Final Thoughts: The McLaren MP4-12C is an incredible car. The MP4-12C is quick, fast, and stylish. The MP4-12C can out perform its main rivals, yet it costs around the same as the 458 Italia and Gallardo. The MP4-12C is sold out until 2013, so good luck trying to get one. The McLaren MP4-12C was one of the best cars to come out in 2011. I hope to see more from McLaren, including another industry-shattering hypercar like the McLaren F1.

CarJunkie

Photos taken from a digital camera.

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