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Well the internet rumor mill is alive and kicking touting that the McLaren P1 has lapped the Nürburgring in 7:04 but no official release from McLaren in apparent dismay that they haven’t broken the 7 minute barrier.
Although this is 5 seconds shy of Ron Dennis quote at the Geneva Motorshow that it would break the 7 minute barrier, which would make it the fastest street-legal production car ever to round the famous German circuit. But McLaren hasn’t confirmed the time, and it likely won’t. Continue reading McLaren P1 – Laps the Nordschleife in 7:04 Maybe?→
McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the division of McLaren Automotive responsible for the delivery of bespoke projects, will present a breathtaking one-off supercar at The Quail, an exclusive event on August 17, 2012 that is a highlight of the Pebble Beach weekend in Monterey, USA.
Called the McLaren X-1 and based structurally on the company’s groundbreaking carbon MonoCell but with a totally unique body, it has been created for an anonymous car enthusiast.
X-1: the brief
It’s not every day that a team gets to create something unique in a project that would take the supercar, even by McLaren standards, to a different level. The challenge began with a special brief.
‘One of our clients who already owned a McLaren F1, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and now a 12C, wanted a unique car, says MSO Programme Director, Paul MacKenzie. The conversation began with our Executive Chairman Ron Dennis almost three years ago before the 12C was even launched. The client wanted a machine that had all the capability of the 12C but wrapped in a unique body that reflected his needs and personality.’
0 – 200kph (124mph) in 9.1s (8.9s on optional Corsa tyres)
CO2 emissions of 279g/km (equating to 24.2 EU mpg combined)
0 – 100kph (62mph) in 3.3s (3.1s with optional Corsa tyres)
Top speed: 330kph (205mph)
100 – 0 kph (62 – 0mph) in 30.5 m (100 ft)
¼ mile: 10.9s @ 135 mph
Power:weight (lightweight options): 461PS / 455bhp per tonne
Power: 600PS (592bhp) at 7,000 rpm
Torque: 600Nm (443lb ft) between 3,000 – 7,000 rpm
They also released some interesting facts about the test data they carried out testing on the Nordschleife and the limitiations from winter closure.
As well as road miles, the 12C has undergone novel laboratory development, including with a ‘virtual reproduction’ of the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife.
The Nordschleife in Germany (as any fule kno) is regarded as the world’s ultimate test circuit due to its combination of challenging surfaces and 12.93m length.
“We have a permanent test base at the Applus IDIADA proving ground in Northern Spain, ” says Technical Director Dick Glover. “Our team of engineers took data from the Nordschleife circuit including lateral g performance, vertical road inputs, engine throttle position and gearing, and created a programme which can then be run at IDIADA, which we call the Idischleife Concept.
“This programme allows us to undertake challenging and aggressive testing to the level experienced at the Nordschleife but at a location where we can run testing literally twenty-four hours, seven days a week and quickly move the 12C closer to its development targets,”
The innovative new McLaren MP4-12C was given its public world debut at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed, held from 01-04 July. Current Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button and 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton delighted the crowds by driving a McLaren Orange Validation Prototype (VP) 12C up the famous Goodwood Hill on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
With McLaren Automotive Managing Director, Antony Sheriff at the wheel, the MP4-12C was the first car to be driven up Goodwood Hill on Friday 02 July, effectively opening the show. The 12C was subsequently granted pole position in every Supercar Run over the course of the weekend, a fitting gesture to two Formula 1 World Champions that are accustomed to leading from the front!
In addition to another 12C VP car, finished in Volcano Orange and fitted with stunning Lightweight Forged alloy wheels, many of the 176,000 visitors to Goodwood Festival of Speed over the course of the event were drawn to a 12C rolling chassis displayed on the McLaren stand. Presenting a car in this way underlines the skill and pride the team place in the 12C’s engineering integrity. By viewing firsthand the car’s hydraulic suspension arrangement, its carbon Monocell chassis, compact 3.8-litre twin-turbo engine and unique transmission unit, visitors with an appreciation for innovation and technology had a rare glimpse of what lies under the skin of the 12C.
McLaren Automotive Managing Director Antony Sheriff said: “The visitors to our stand were the perfect blend of car enthusiasts and potential customers; I’m delighted that we chose Goodwood Festival of Speed to unveil the 12C to the public. Two British Formula 1 World Champions were behind the wheel of the car as we led the field up the hill. A major landmark, delivered to McLaren’s high standards.
“Visitors to the McLaren stand either displayed an in-depth understanding of the bespoke technologies developed for the 12C, or spent time discussing our plans. It was a great opportunity for tens of thousands of car fans to see the car in the metal…and carbon.
“This is just the start for McLaren Automotive. In five year’s time, I expect us to be presenting a full range of innovative and performance-focused sports cars. Sports car enthusiasts all over the world will be able to enjoy McLaren cars up close and personal at events like Goodwood Festival of Speed.”
We have been following the development of this model see the early production test cars below from early 2009 at the Nurburgring:-
