JENSON WINS HIS 50TH GP WITH McLAREN

Posted on September 3, 2012 by melwin23

JENSON BUTTON WINS HIS 50TH GP WITH McLAREN

Spa-Francorchamps, Sunday September 2

“Jenson was masterful today”

179th victory for McLaren

75th victory for McLaren, Mobil 1, Mercedes-Benz and Enkei

50th race for Jenson with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

31st victory for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

14th victory for Jenson

4th victory of the season for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

2nd successive victory for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

JENSON BUTTON

MP4-27A-02

JENSON WINS HIS 50TH GP WITH McLAREN at Belgian GP

Started 1st

Finished 1st

Fastest lap 1m54.293s (+1.471s, 10th)

Pitstops One: lap 20 (2.49s) [Opt-Pri]

Points 101 (6th)

“I’m sorry to all the fans if it wasn’t very exciting at the front!

“However, winning a grand prix is never easy: you’ve always got to look after the tyres and keep an eye on the gap behind. Today’s race was particularly tricky to read, in fact, because lots of cars were on different strategies so you never knew exactly where you stood.

“Turn One looked pretty crazy – in my mirrors, I could see cars all over the place. For me, it was all pretty straightforward though. Having said that, without having been able to gather long-run testing data from Friday, it initially looked like it was going to be a hard race to call. In fact, as things panned out, it was the opposite.

“It was unusual to be able to run a one-stop strategy. We got to lap 12 and the team asked me how the car was feeling; I told them that the balance was getting better and better, so we were able to get to lap 20 before pitting.

“We need to score big points in both world championships – and today was exactly what we required. I’m a massive team-player, and I fight for the team; I want us to win both world championships and, until I can’t mathematically fight for the drivers’ world championship, I won’t give up on it. I think I showed that today.”

VIDEO | The World’s Greatest Drag Race

Posted on August 29, 2012 by melwin23

This Race features a few new contenders, including Luxury cars like the Lamborghini Aventador and McLaren MP4-12C. Other contestants include the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series, Chevy Camaro ZL1, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Subaru BRZ, Jaguar XKR-S and Porsche 911 Carrera S, which – spoiler alert – actually won the Best Driver’s Car award this year. Oh, and the updated version of Nissan’s GT-R makes a repeat appearance, but no Ferraris are in the field this Race.( .motortrend.com )

2012 McLaren MP4-12C Spider RHT ~ OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Posted on July 4, 2012 by melwin23

McLAREN FORMULA 1 DNA MEETS THE THRILL OF OPEN TOP DRIVING IN THE NEW 12C SPIDER

PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM

2012 McLaren MP4-12C Spider RHT

REVIEW 2012 McLaren MP4-12C Spider RHT ~ Going Topless

03/07/12
Unique Retractable Hard Top (RHT) of new 12C Spider may be operated at speeds up to 30kph (19mph)
Shared Formula 1 technology DNA in 12C and 12C Spider means performance is similarly impressive for both derivatives
McLaren 12C Spider configurator launched online at: www.configure.mclaren.com
12C Spider now available to order through 38 McLaren retailers in 22 countries worldwide

McLaren Automotive today announces the launch of its second model in the MP4-12C family: the stunning new 12C Spider. With a lightweight, high powered engine developing an incredible 625 PS (616 bhp), unique RHT folding roof system that may be operated while on the move, and carbon ‘MonoCell’ chassis identical to that of the groundbreaking 12C, the 12C Spider is a luxury convertible sports car that offers prospective owners a unique combination of spectacular performance with remarkable usability.

The new 12C Spider will be priced from £195,500 in the UK and is now available to order from bespoke new McLaren retailers across the globe. First deliveries to customers are planned for November this year.

Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director said: “I am really excited to announce that the new 12C Spider is now available to order at new McLaren retailers worldwide. The launch of our second model is an exciting milestone in the growth of our company.

“While the 12C is the technological essence of a race car, the 12C Spider incorporates an additional dimension. 12C Spider owners will love the opportunity to lower the roof and hear the unhindered howl of a V8 twin turbo engine at full throttle. It undoubtedly enhances an already euphoric 12C driving experience.

“The 12C Spider delivers all the thrills characteristic of a high performance roadster, and yet transforms into a raucous track beast at the flick of a switch. I can’t wait to see it on road and track with customers later this year.”

Best-in-class performance

The 12C Spider’s impressive 625 PS output from its bespoke 3.8-litre V8 twin turbo engine is transmitted to the car’s rear driven wheels through a 7 Speed SSG dual-clutch transmission, which itself provides lightning-fast gear changes through rocker-mounted shift paddles affixed to the rear of the steering wheel. A clear view of the 12C Spider’s lightweight M838T power plant is available through a glass screen positioned behind the tonneau cover.

Vehicle dynamics technology including Brake Steer, ProActive Chassis Control and the unique McLaren Airbrake combine to offer sublime comfort in all driving conditions; and yet deliver race car performance and handling on track.

Technical specification highlights

McLaren is a carbon pioneer. In 1981 McLaren gave a debut to a carbon fibre monocoque chassis in Formula 1 with the launch of the MP4/1 race car, and in 1992 the legendary McLaren F1 introduced the advanced composite technology to the world of road cars. It was natural then for McLaren Automotive engineers to apply its carbon expertise when developing the groundbreaking one-piece moulded chassis of the 12C. With the 12C designed originally as a convertible, its 75kg ‘MonoCell’ requires no additional strengthening for it to feature in the 12C Spider. The result is a sports car almost identical to its fixed roof equivalent in performance terms, and weighing only 40kg more with the addition of a convertible roof system.

The Retractable Hard Top of the 12C Spider is operated using a switch in the lower section of the centre console inside the cabin, taking less than 17 seconds to raise or lower. Unlike many other convertible models, the roof can be operated whilst the 12C Spider is moving at speeds of up to 30 kph (19mph).

Behind driver and passenger sits a rear windscreen which may also be electronically lowered and raised. With the roof lowered this acts as wind deflector to minimise disturbance to the 12C Spider’s occupants. With the roof raised the rear window can be lowered, allowing the exhilarating noise of the 12C Spider’s V8 twin turbo engine to flood the cabin on demand at any time.

With the roof raised the area under the tonneau can be used as an additional luggage area which provides 52 litres of useful storage space. Bespoke luggage has been designed specifically to fit this space and is supplied as standard with every 12C Spider.

The 12C Spider also features a passive Roll Over Protection System to maximise occupant safety. Each buttress contains a steel structure designed to absorb impact energy and protect both driver and passenger.

Creating one in a million: 12C Spider personalisation highlights

Launched in Volcano Red – one of 17 exterior paint finishes currently available for the 12C and 12C Spider- both 12C derivatives will also be available in optional Volcano Yellow, a striking new high quality paint which features in the ‘Elite’ range of exterior finishes.

Inside, an exclusive new interior trim has been developed for the 2013 model year 12C and new 12C Spider. High quality semi-aniline perforated leather and Alcantara may be selected in a variety of combinations to suit an owner’s personal taste.

A new wheel design, and ‘Diamond Cut’ finishes for existing lightweight and super lightweight forged wheel designs may be selected for the 12C Spider. Standard Silver or Stealth finishes are offered for all wheel designs.

Vehicle Lift will be available as an option on 2013 model year vehicles. The system allows the 12C Spider to be raised front and rear for improved ground clearance. This technology permits the vehicle to be raised by up to 40mm at the front and 25mm at the rear of the 12C Spider, and may remain in position at up to 60kph (37mph).

Prospective customers and sports car fans alike are encouraged to visit the new 12C Spider online configurator, and discover a range of exciting options that may be specified in literally millions of unique combinations. The 12C Spider configurator is now live at: www.configure.mclaren.com

The McLaren 12C Spider is now available to order at all of McLaren’s 38 retailers in 22 countries worldwide, with deliveries to first customers planned for November 2012.

2012 McLaren MP4-12C Spider RHT

2012 McLaren MP4-12C Spider RHT ~ Going Topless

Posted on July 4, 2012 by melwin23

2012 McLaren MP4-12C World Debut ~ Grease n Gasoline

Going topless was never this liberating. New to the McLaren Automotive‘s growing MP4-12C super car fleet is the new Spider model with a retractable hard-top. Identical to its roofed counterpart, the McLaren MP4-12C Spider kept the 616 horsepower, 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, capable of 0 to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds. McLaren engineers did, however, tuned the maximum speed down to 204 mph instead of 207 mph. But its more than likely that you won’t notice the difference. The real fun begins when you flick a switch on the center console. In 17 seconds, the metal hard top automatically retracts (or raises). Unlike other convertibles,

2012 McLaren MP4-12C Spider RHT

The addition of the convertible roof system adds an extra 40 kg (88 lb) to the weight of the 12C, but the performance of the 12C Spider is close to that of the 12C. Both models boast a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 3.1 seconds, but the 12C Spider goes from 0-100 mph (161 km/h) in 6.1 seconds, which is 0.1 seconds slower than the 12C, while its 0-124 mph (200 km/h) time of 9 seconds is 0.2 seconds slower than the 12C’s 8.8 second time.

2012 McLaren MP4-12C Spider RHT

Launching in Volcanic Red, McLaren will offer the same the 12C in the same 17 exterior paint finishes currently available for the 12C. A new Volcanic Yellow and new interior trim will also be offered for the 2013 models of both cars, as will a new Vehicle Lift option that improves the ground clearance by raising the 12C Spider up to 40 mm (1.5 in) at the front and 25 mm (0.9 in) at the rear at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph).