멕라렌 MP4-12C 수퍼카

코드네임 P11로 알려졌던 MP4-12C는 1997 시즌 활약했던 F1 머신과 같은 이름. 맥라렌은 F1 레이싱에서 페라리와 쌍벽을 이루는 명문 팀이고 20세기 최고의 수퍼카로 인정받고 있는 F1 모델의 개발사다. 메르세데스 벤츠와 손잡고 SLR을 개발하기도 했지만 굿바이를 외치며 뛰쳐나와 독자적인 스포츠카 개발에 매진해왔다.
1피스 타입의 견고한 카본 파이버 튜브를 사용해 무게를 줄였고 풀 카본 보디를 얹었다. 아직 정확한 데이터를 공개하지는 않았지만 경쟁 모델이 될 페라리 458 이탈리아나 람보르기니 가야르도 LP56-4 보다 가벼울 전망이다. 항공기 엔진에서 모티브를 얻은 에어 벤트리가 인상적인 실내는 3스포크 디자인의 스티어링 휠과 Wi-Fi 인터넷 접속 시스템을 포함한 온보드 컴퓨터 등이 달린다.
미드십으로 얹힐 V8 3.8L 트윈 터보 유닛은 최고출력 600마력에 최대토크 60.0kgm의 강력함을 자랑한다. 플랫-플랜 크랭크, 드라이 섬프 오일 순환장치 등 레이싱 머신의 테크닉을 적용했으며 최대토크의 80%를 2,000rpm에서 뿜을 정도로 넓은 토크밴드를 지녔다. 7단 듀얼 클러치 자동변속기와 함께 0-97km/h 가속 3초 미만, 최고시속 330km/h 이상을 목표로 한다. 

McLaren Automotive and the groundbreaking new MP4-12C: the vision

• McLaren MP4-12C high-performance sports car on sale worldwide in 2011
• McLaren Racing DNA runs through the development of the 12C and a range of future high-performance sports cars from McLaren Automotive
• New McLaren Production Centre due for spring completion
• A new short film presenting the McLaren simulator and its role in 12C development is available to view at www.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv

McLaren Automotive is in the final stages of developing a range of innovative high-performance sports cars that will also be highly efficient, high-quality, lightweight, practical, dynamic, safe, comfortable and visually arresting. On Monday 17 January, the first MP4-12C production car entered the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) General Assembly Hall in Woking, England.

A new £40m manufacturing facility, the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) is currently under construction adjacent to the MTC site, and will open in spring 2011. McLaren Automotive will transfer production of the 12C from the existing MTC assembly line to the MPC in April.

A range of premium carbon-based high-performance sports cars from components that are bespoke, innovative and unique, will then start to be distributed to a dedicated network of 35 retailers in 19 countries around the world.

McLaren Automotive’s target is to achieve unprecedented levels of quality in every area of its business, none more so than in the company’s aim to service customers and cars to a higher level of quality than any premium sports car business has ever offered.

This is not just the launch of a new car. It is the launch of a new car company. So what credentials does McLaren offer to take such bold and courageous steps? 

The McLaren Vision

The answer lies with the vision and ambition of McLaren Automotive’s Executive Chairman, Ron Dennis: “McLaren’s first and founding principle was to compete successfully in motor sport and particularly Formula 1. That goal has taken us to great heights; from an engineering and innovation perspective, and by rewarding our people for their endeavours over many long seasons of top level motor racing. But despite all the trophies and great racing successes, there comes a time when the maturity of a company and its future development depends on broadening its activities.

“We have long held the dream of building a range of innovative McLaren sports cars. Sports cars that take the raw elements of Formula 1 principles, processes and performance and forge them into a unique package that adds the requirements of quality, efficiency, comfort and reliability – traditionally  opposing goals that I know we can deliver.

“McLaren’s modern history began 30 years ago with an operation of 50 people dedicated solely to winning Grands Prix. Everything we have achieved as a well-honed and fiercely competitive team over the past three decades has prepared us for this moment. McLaren Group and McLaren Automotive now employ around 1,500 people – all dedicated and passionate about being the best. And about launching a new car company and our first car, of which I am very proud. The 12C and the future range of McLaren sports cars will support the long-term development of McLaren and our people.

“This new business will also bring into the UK new investment, a new manufacturing facility - the McLaren Production Centre - and new skilled jobs within the UK’s network of high-tech manufacturing and engineering businesses. I believe that McLaren Automotive is a good example of how the UK can develop a new, innovative and globally influential manufacturing base, through technological innovation in design and build-processes.

“Launching a new car company is a great challenge that is exciting everyone at McLaren. Everything is in place and on schedule for the first of our new range of cars to go on sale in the first half of 2011. These are exciting times - for McLaren, for car enthusiasts and, just as importantly, for people who are passionate about technology, innovation and engineering,” Dennis concluded.

McLaren Automotive today

Although McLaren’s heritage lies principally on the race circuit, the blend of qualities such as ambition, drive and commitment, with more tangible assets such as aerodynamic skills, rapid development through simulation techniques, supreme electronics expertise and a ruthless quest for reliability, have equipped the company to turn Ron Dennis’, and McLaren’s shareholders’ and board members’ dreams into reality.

Taking the vision and turning that into an effective, profitable and world-class car company lies in the hands of McLaren Automotive’s Managing Director, Antony Sheriff,  and the teams run by his fellow directors, Alan Foster (Operations Director), Dick Glover (Technical Director), Paul MacKenzie (Projects Director), Greg Levine (Sales and Marketing Director), Frank Stephenson (Design Director), Mark Vinnels (Programme Director), Carlo della Casa (Engineering Director), Mark Wilson (Finance Director), and Ben Wright (Purchasing Director).

The first car in the range, the 12C is now in the final stages of development, and the first stages of production. It has been designed and developed by a world-class team of engineers and test drivers, and will be built to world-class levels of quality and reliability. All development processes have benefited from McLaren’s expertise in Formula 1, and constant integration with the racing team’s techniques and personnel will set new standards in performance for the road.

Antony Sheriff summed up the focus for McLaren Automotive, inspired by high expectations laid down through the years at McLaren, “The overriding principle that has driven us to where we are today is that every car will be ‘pure’ McLaren.
“This means that each and every component has been conceived, designed and produced to McLaren’s specification to meet the extreme requirements of the 12C. There are no carryover components, because they were not good enough. Similarly, our test programmes, production processes and aftersales plans are also brand new and bespoke to McLaren. We have considered everything from a blank sheet of paper to be the best. Being “as good” as everyone else is not good enough; we need to be the best. This approach has given us a remarkable car with ground-breaking performance in all areas.

“Whether it’s the revolutionary carbon MonoCell, the ProActive Chassis Control, or a desire to design cars that can be repaired more quickly and accurately than our competitors, we will deliver cars and a service to our customers of which we are personally proud.

“So, our performance goals do not just relate to the 12C, but to the car ownership experience itself: McLaren Automotive will offer new standards of customer service through its dedicated network of the world’s best car retailers.

“When I came here, Ron inspired me with his belief that winning Formula 1 races was simply doing your job. After that, it was a question of how you won. That’s the winning attitude that permeates throughout McLaren Automotive and sets us apart from our competitors,” Sheriff concluded.

Launch plans and prices

In 2010, McLaren Automotive passed a significant number of milestones in its development as the world’s newest sports car company.  The McLaren Production Centre began construction in March, the 12C made its global public debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England, in North America the 12C debuted at the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event, and prospective customers for the 12C were given the opportunity to see the car in the metal at a series of exclusive presentations hosted by McLaren Automotive’s new retail partners across the globe.

The 12C goes on sale at a groundbreaking price for a carbon chassis-based car and McLaren Automotive will produce up to 1,000 12Cs for sale worldwide in its first production year.

With the new McLaren Production Centre fully operational, it is anticipated that McLaren  will build up to 4,000 cars across its model range annually by the middle of the decade, a figure that will account for between three and four percent of the annual global market for premium sports cars.

No compromise: McLaren MP4-12C sets new performance and efficiency standards

• Lightweight design philosophy the foundation to segment-best performance with efficiency
• Formula 1 integration - technologies, processes and people - inspire the 12C’s headline figures
• 30 years of carbon composite chassis design at McLaren inspires the 12C’s revolutionary carbon MonoCell
• See performance data and technology presented in a high quality short film featuring Jenson Button, entitled ‘MP4-12C Official Performance Data’ at www.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv

Through a combination of carbon fibre expertise, innovative Formula 1-inspired technologies and development programmes, and a desire to launch a range of ‘pure McLaren’ road cars, the groundbreaking new McLaren MP4-12C has redefined high-performance sports car benchmarks. By March 2010, when the 12C was first revealed, McLaren Automotive was close to achieving its own high performance targets within the intensive testing and development programme. Key segment targets included:

• lowest CO₂ output and best fuel consumption
• highest power with fastest acceleration and braking across all typical benchmark speed and distance parameters
• lightest weight, and therefore highest power to weight ratio

All within a package of more subjective, but equally important, benchmarks: comfort, practicality, driveability, and ownership costs. To be a success, and bring innovation to the market, McLaren knew the 12C had to be the first genuine ‘no compromise’ high-performance sports car.

Now, as the first production cars enter the McLaren Technology Centre, segment-best performance data is confirmed. Headline figures include:

• 0 - 200kph in 9.1s (8.9s on optional Corsa tyres)
• CO₂ emissions of 279g/km (equating to 24.2 EU mpg combined)
• 0 - 100kph in 3.3s (3.1s with optional Corsa tyres)
• top speed: 330kph (205mph)
• 100 - 0 kph in 30.5 m (100 ft)
• ¼ mile: 10.9s @ 135 mph
• dry weight (with lightweight options): 1301kgs / 2868 lbs
• carbon MonoCell chassis weight:  75kgs / 165 lbs
• power: weight (lightweight options): 461PS / 455bhp per tonne.
• power: 600PS (592bhp) at 7,000 rpm
• torque: 600Nm between 3,000 – 7,000 rpm

McLaren performance

The 12C has been created at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK under the same roof as McLaren Racing and the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team: ‘performance’ lies at the heart of the 12C and the McLaren Automotive team responsible for its design, development, engineering and now manufacture.

The 12C’s performance is clearly influenced by the McLaren F1 and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren road car projects. Most notably, in the competitive step-changes seen on the 12C through carbon composite engineering, packaging, and aerodynamics. But the development and manufacturing teams are also peppered with technicians and engineers from iconic periods in McLaren’s motor racing history: people with priceless experience in challenging design target-setting and innovative engineering problem-solving. And with an inherent ambition to win.

To name but three: Jim Chisman, a McLaren Automotive senior technician was a technician on Niki Lauda’s race team and on the 1981 MP4/1 Formula 1 car; Metin Afiya, General Assembly Production Manager, was an engineer on the Le Mans-winning F1 GTR; Dick Glover, Technical Director at McLaren Automotive, enjoyed 12 years in McLaren Racing where he designed the Formula 1 simulator that has also been used in the 12C development programme.

Dick Glover said: “We’re intensely proud of the 12C and how it stands against its key competitors: cars that are, in their own rights, some of the best sports cars the world has ever seen. The really exciting challenge for us was that to set new performance benchmarks against these cars, we had to introduce innovative new technologies. In that respect, we have worked technically like a Formula 1 team, where you are constantly trying to improve performance not against fixed parameters, but to win against competitors who are also constantly developing and improving.

“The 12C is a huge technical accomplishment, but also a car filled with the passion and dedication that comes with working at McLaren. I am very proud of the team behind its development,” he concluded.

Starting from a clean sheet of paper, the 12C is the first ‘pure McLaren’. From its conception, the 12C has been designed around the driver with a carbon chassis. Every one of the 12C’s components is bespoke, and there to either enhance performance or contribute to the unmatched driving experience.

30 years of carbon innovation

In 1981 McLaren Racing introduced the carbon monocoque to Formula 1: it offered an unbeatable combination of strength and lightness. In 2011, McLaren Racing will compete with its 200^th carbon fibre chassis.

The legendary McLaren F1 sports car was the first road car to feature a carbon chassis when it launched in 1993. With 2,153 SLRs manufactured in its seven year production run, the 2003 – 2009 SLR is the most successful car in the £300,000+ price-point and the most successful of any car built on a carbon-fibre chassis.

Now, the 12C takes carbon innovation to a new level. It is based on a unique one-piece moulded carbon chassis: the MonoCell, which weighs just 75kgs (165lbs). The MonoCell concept required it to provide the perfect combination of occupant space, structural integrity, light weight, and relatively low construction costs. And the ideal chassis from which to deliver ground-breaking efficiency and performance in the sports car market.

McLaren MP4-12C performance data

		EU	US/UK
Engine	Power	600 PS (441kW)	592 bhp
		@ 7000 rpm	@ 7000 rpm
	Torque	600 Nm	443 lb-ft
		@ 3000-7000rpm	@ 3000-7000rpm
Weight	DIN weight	1434 kg	3161 lbs
	Dry weight	1336 kg	2945 lbs
	Dry weight	1301kg	2868 lbs
	(with lightweight options)
Efficiency	CO2	279 g/km	279 g/km
	Fuel consumption (combined)	11.7 l/100 km	24.2 mpg (UK)
	Power to weight	461 PS/tonne	455 bhp/tonne
	(with lightweight options)
	CO2/power	0.47 g/km per PS	0.47 g/km per bhp
Speed	Maximum speed	330 kph	205 mph
Acceleration	0-100 kph (62 mph)	3.3 s	3.3 s
		(3.1 s with Corsa tyre option)	(3.1 s with Corsa tyre option)
	0-200 kph (124 mph)	9.1 s	9.1 s
		(8.9 s with Corsa tyre option)	(8.9 s with Corsa tyre option)
	0-400 m / ¼ mile	10.9 s @ 216 kph	10.9 @ 134 mph
	0-1000 m	19.6 s @ 272 kph
Braking	Braking	200-0 kph          123 m	124-0 mph       403 ft
		100-0 kph          30.5 m	62-0 mph         100 ft