98 February 2012 BTM DAVID M. ROBERTSON Model McLaren MP4-12C Model year 2012 Engine type 3.8-litre, V8 engine, twin-turbo Displacement 3,799 cc Horsepower 592 hp @ 7,000 rpm Torque 600 Nm @ 3,000 rpm Transmission Seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 3.3 seconds Top speed 330 km/h When you see someone driving a McLaren you’ll know this is an individual who appreciates the value of the finer things in life, for what they are and not simply because they can afford it. Smooth Operator The fine print in the literature on McLaren’s MP4-12C states it has been developed without all the usual compromises associated with a high-end sports car. One glance at the exterior and it’s immediately obvious how this has been translated into practice. The MP4-12C is more than simply smooth; it’s refined. There’s little chance you’ll find a sunbed-tanned hulk, with shirt buttons undone to almost the waistline and dripping with gold jewellery, emerging from this sports car! The design is the antithesis of conventional wisdom as to how such cars should look and feel. There are, for instance, no aggressive lines and styling that have testosterone written all over them; instead, like the rest of the car, there’s a seamless flow from the front, down the sides and through to the rear end. In fact, McLaren have gone out of their way to exclude ‘features’ simply for cosmetic purposes. A standout element is the weight of the car, which has been substantially reduced through the use of technologies normally associated with an F1 car. The ultra-light carbon fibre chassis, the radical MonoCell at the structural heart of the MP4-12C, weighs in at only 75 kg. It’s not just the acceleration that’s impacted by carbon fibre components; the braking and handling performance is enhanced, as is fuel economy and emissions. The car’s incredible stiffness also results in more precise steering. This was demonstrated by trying to drive the car ‘badly’; the MP4-12C takes control when the driver appears to have failed to do so! Another standout feature is the simplicity and vertical design of the centre console, allowing for far greater room inside for the driver and passenger than otherwise might be the case. Unlike the often complicated routine to switch driving modes, McLaren strips away the thought process with buttons for normal, sport and track options that are easily accessed. The sound of the engine when in normal (everyday, street driving) mode illustrates the refined aurora of the MP4-12C. Switch into sport mode and the racing pedigree immediately springs into life; the responsiveness of the car quickens and the engine purrs in delight at the more aggressive setting. When acquiring a luxury item, whether it’s a car, a watch or even eating out at an upmarket restaurant, what you choose more often than not delivers a statement about your own sense of style. There will be no doubt as to the authenticity of a McLaren driver. McLaren is distributed in the Kingdom by Al Ghassan Motors, who will shortly open a McLaren-only showroom in Moda Mall. Average pricing is expected to be around BD107,000, with a range of options pushing that up to BD130,000. motoringwheels
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