As reported by McLaren Automotive
At the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC), Ron Dennis (Chairman) and Antony Sheriff (Managing Director) confirmed McLaren Automotive's plans for a range of highly efficient, high-performance sports cars. The first in the range, a lightweight, high-quality, mid-engined two-seat sports car called the MP4-12C, will be produced at the new £40 million McLaren Production Centre (MPC) that is set to become a showcase facility for the UK's manufacturing and technology industries. Up to 300 new jobs will be generated directly as a result at McLaren, with many hundreds more indirectly through the construction programme, supply chain, and brand new global retail network.
Up to 1,000 12Cs will be delivered in 2011 through a global network of dedicated McLaren retailers in all major markets in North America, Europe, Middle-East, South Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Over 500 retailers have applied for an initial 35 franchises in 19 countries that will be confirmed by summer 2010. McLaren Automotive's customers and retail partners are set to benefit from the company's focus on aftersales, quality, innovation and 'clean-sheet' business plans. And initial interest is very strong with 1,600 'expressions of interest to purchase', 12 months before launch.
McLaren's ambition for its new automotive company is to compete head-to-head against the world's best sports car brands with a range of two-seat cars, whilst introducing innovative technologies, business practices and customer experiences that will re-write the rule book for the automotive industry. McLaren is approaching its new road car business in the same focused, agile and passionate way that the company's motorsport division has practiced throughout its 40 year history as the world's most successful motor racing team. The 12C will be 'pure' McLaren. All parts, from the V8 twin-turbo race-derived engine to all switches and electronics, are designed by McLaren.
Carbon lies at the core of the 12C, just as it has done in every race car or road car produced by McLaren in the last 30 years. The 12C features a revolutionary one-piece moulded carbon chassis - the MonoCell - that cascades technologies into a new market for this strong and lightweight material. The 12C will be the first car in the £125,000 to £175,000 market segment to feature a carbon chassis.
Clothing the 12C are panels of aluminium and SMC that are 11 percent lighter than on any other car. A key driver in McLaren's ability to use such lightweight engineering solutions is that the MonoCell delivers all of the car's structural integrity: the body panels exist purely to channel air rapidly and efficiently for cooling, downforce, or aerodynamic purposes. The design of the car, honed by the McLaren engineers and designers under the guidance of Design Director, Frank Stephenson, therefore follows classic function over form principles. Every panel, surface and line is working to support air-flow.
At the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC), Ron Dennis (Chairman) and Antony Sheriff (Managing Director) confirmed McLaren Automotive's plans for a range of highly efficient, high-performance sports cars. The first in the range, a lightweight, high-quality, mid-engined two-seat sports car called the MP4-12C, will be produced at the new £40 million McLaren Production Centre (MPC) that is set to become a showcase facility for the UK's manufacturing and technology industries. Up to 300 new jobs will be generated directly as a result at McLaren, with many hundreds more indirectly through the construction programme, supply chain, and brand new global retail network.
Up to 1,000 12Cs will be delivered in 2011 through a global network of dedicated McLaren retailers in all major markets in North America, Europe, Middle-East, South Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Over 500 retailers have applied for an initial 35 franchises in 19 countries that will be confirmed by summer 2010. McLaren Automotive's customers and retail partners are set to benefit from the company's focus on aftersales, quality, innovation and 'clean-sheet' business plans. And initial interest is very strong with 1,600 'expressions of interest to purchase', 12 months before launch.
McLaren's ambition for its new automotive company is to compete head-to-head against the world's best sports car brands with a range of two-seat cars, whilst introducing innovative technologies, business practices and customer experiences that will re-write the rule book for the automotive industry. McLaren is approaching its new road car business in the same focused, agile and passionate way that the company's motorsport division has practiced throughout its 40 year history as the world's most successful motor racing team. The 12C will be 'pure' McLaren. All parts, from the V8 twin-turbo race-derived engine to all switches and electronics, are designed by McLaren.
Carbon lies at the core of the 12C, just as it has done in every race car or road car produced by McLaren in the last 30 years. The 12C features a revolutionary one-piece moulded carbon chassis - the MonoCell - that cascades technologies into a new market for this strong and lightweight material. The 12C will be the first car in the £125,000 to £175,000 market segment to feature a carbon chassis.
Clothing the 12C are panels of aluminium and SMC that are 11 percent lighter than on any other car. A key driver in McLaren's ability to use such lightweight engineering solutions is that the MonoCell delivers all of the car's structural integrity: the body panels exist purely to channel air rapidly and efficiently for cooling, downforce, or aerodynamic purposes. The design of the car, honed by the McLaren engineers and designers under the guidance of Design Director, Frank Stephenson, therefore follows classic function over form principles. Every panel, surface and line is working to support air-flow.
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| photo: McLaren Automotive |