McLaren’s Money Progamme: MP4-12C Prices Released

The first in a range of high-performance sports cars from McLaren Automotive, the MP4-12C, will go on sale in the UK and Europe in Spring 2011. At unprecedented prices for a car with a carbon chassis, it will be the first to offer 600PS (591.8 horsepower) from an engine producing under 300g/km CO2. The 3.8-litre MP4-12C weighs in at about 1,300 kilogrammes.

McLaren Automotive MD Antony Sheriff reveals, “When we embarked on this challenge to design, develop, build, sell, and service the world’s most exciting and high-quality high-performance sports cars – from a brand new factory at our Formula One headquarters – we knew expectations would be high. To deliver a true McLaren sports car, and, frankly, a reason to exist amongst great competition, it was clear we needed a unique concept that offered tangible advantages. With a unique carbon chassis as the foundation, and a powerful, but highly efficient McLaren engine at its heart, the 12C offers staggering value: no other carbon-based car can compete at this price-point, or with the 12C’s technology and performance.”

The McLaren MP4-12C sounds like it can walk the walk but how much is it? The prices range from €200,000 in Germany to €203,360 in Belgium. In the UK, the car will have a recommended retail price of £168,500, including VAT at 20%. On-the-road pricing adds £950 for the road fund licence and a £55 first registration fee.

Personalisation options include 17 paint finishes, including ‘McLaren Orange’, the colour made legendary by the company’s fabled racing cars of the ’60s and ’70s. There are 14 interior trims to choose from, and buyers can add a sports exhaust system, carbon ceramic brake discs, polished-finish calipers and one of two lightweight forged wheel options.

The factory car’s MonoCell constitutes its one piece of carbon, but carbon fibre options will include mirror casings, engine bay panels and engine cover. The prices of all these options will be confirmed when the car is launched.

This leaves just one suggestion. Listen carefully early next year and you might hear the sound of piggy banks being attacked with hammers!

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