McLaren Automotive as an entity opened its doors in 2010, having replaced the dormant McLaren Cars that was originally set up in 1985 to develop the car that would become the McLaren F1 when launched in 1992.
Its first road car in this new period was the MP4-12C, later renamed the 12C, which used a twin-turbocharged V8 engine mounted within a carbonfibre monocoque – a fundamental formula that has since formed the basis of every McLaren road…
McLaren Automotive as an entity opened its doors in 2010, having replaced the dormant McLaren Cars that was originally set up in 1985 to develop the car that would become the McLaren F1 when launched in 1992.
Its first road car in this new period was the MP4-12C, later renamed the 12C, which used a twin-turbocharged V8 engine mounted within a carbonfibre monocoque – a fundamental formula that has since formed the basis of every McLaren road car in the new era.
The car’s shape was the work of Robert Melville, current Design Director at McLaren, and Frank Stephenson, best known at the time for his work on the original BMW X5 and BMW Mini and perhaps most relevant to the P1 project, the Ferrari 430 and Maserati MC12. It was sculpted by the air too though, with active aerodynamics including an enormous air-brake spoiler that could stand to attention to increase drag under braking.
3.8L V8 Twin-turbo DOHC 32-valve