Insider's view: McLaren's new supercar

On September 9th this year (yes, 09-09-09) McLaren released the very first images and detailed technical description of its new sportscar, the MP4-12C. Immediately we all set about calling it the new McLaren F1. While the company isn't exactly timid about its heritage, the new car's specification indicates that it'll more than live up to the hype.

Is it really a successor to the McLaren F1?

I think 'inspired by' is more accurate. After all, the F1 cost more than £500,000 in the early nineties, while the MP4-12C is estimated to come in well under £200,000. This indicates that McLaren has not developed the new car to sit at the top of the supercar tree (as the F1 did), but to sell in much greater numbers - relatively of course.

The name supports that theory. While 'F1' suggests the pinnacle, 'MP4-12C' represents a model in a series. It isn't a particularly sexy name, but it has a logical meaning. 'MP4' stands for McLaren Project 4, which was the merger of Ron Dennis's Project 4 company with McLaren. All of McLaren's Formula One race cars since 1981 have carried the MP4 chassis designation. The '12' is apparently the new car's score on McLaren's own Vehicle Performance Index - though we haven't been told if that's good or not - while the 'C' stands for carbon, of which there is plenty in the car.

While the 12C does share its use of exotic materials with its predecessor, it won't be to the same gold-leaf standard, though carbon fibre is everywhere. Sadly, the F1's three-seat layout has been binned too, in favour of a more conventional two-seat cockpit.

What's under the bonnet?

Technically nothing, as the engine is mid-mounted, but I know what you meant... Unlike the F1, which was powered by a lumping big V12 engine developed by BMW, the MP4-12C gets its own bespoke engine. Though it's only 3.8-litres in size, the new V8 is twin turbocharged so peak power is quoted as 'around 600bhp', while the maximum torque figure of 443lb.ft is just as impressive. Apparently 80 percent of that figure is available from 2,000rpm, which should make this car feel even quicker. Despite that, McLaren has set the rev limiter to a stratospheric 8,500rpm and underlining the car's remit is the inclusion of a dry sump oil system, which will ensure that the engine stays nicely lubricated, even during sustained high-speed cornering.

Not content with developing a new engine from scratch, McLaren has also promised that the MP4-12C will be fitted with its own take on the whole dual-clutch gearbox thing. It's called the Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG) and features various modes of operation, from Winter up to Sport. Official word is that a manual gearbox will never be offered in this car.

The driver controls the gearbox via familiar paddles, though McLaren has included a twist of its own. One large 'rocker' is fitted behind the steering wheel, allowing the driver to either push or pull each side depending on their preference. Another novel feature is the wittily titled 'Pre-Cog' feature (standing for pre-cognition see, but 'cog' is also a commonly used word for gear, geddit?) that allows the driver to pre-select the next gear, as there are two distinct positions for the rocker. This allows the transmission to prepare for the change and reduces the gearchange time. Finally, the system incorporates a 'launch control' sequence, allowing near perfect off the line sprints. For track use only obviously...

Surely it's more than just a dragster?

Of course it is. McLaren has not even released top speed or a 0-62mph time, but we're guessing that it won't be aiming for any 'fastest car in the world' titles this time around. Instead, the MP4-12C's talents should lie in how the car drives. In particular around corners.

At the heart of the car is what's called the Carbon MonoCell, which is apparently the first ever use of a one-piece carbon fibre structure in a car. It should prove useful in keeping the 12C's weight down, but also in providing an ultra-stiff foundation on which to hang the suspension.

Naturally, there's nothing ordinary about the suspension either. It's based on the proven double wishbone with coil spring design, but the dampers are interconnected hydraulically, which allows McLaren's 'Proactive' system to replace traditional anti-roll bars with a system that predicts and adapts to the road conditions. Put simply, during hard cornering, body roll is supposedly eliminated, while in a straight line the suspension moves freely to soak up bumps. The theory suggests that the MP4-12C could offer the best of both worlds.

When can I buy one?

We thought all that might whet your appetite! You still have time to save, though no doubt there are plenty of serious buyers already on a list somewhere within McLaren... The estimated price is £170,000, but as the MP4-12C doesn't officially go on sale until 2011 that is subject to change. It puts the new car into direct comparison with Ferrari's 458 Italia, which can be no coincidence as McLaren plans to roll out a variety of models (including an open-topped MP4-12C) to bring total production up to the same levels as Ferrari. Should be an interesting twin test.

Shane O' Donoghue