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Return of the Mac

By David Beckett February 2012

McLaren MP4-12C re-writes the rules of sports car design and aims to build on McLaren's motor racing success
The opportunity to experience first hand the racing dynamics of the McLaren MP4-12C was too hard to turn down, especially against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit and under the close supervision of Chris Goodwin - principal test driver for McLaren. On the sidelines of the event was Mark Harrison (above, inset), McLaren's newly appointed regional director for the Middle East & Africa and the man now responsible for the timely delivery of the eagerly-awaited new road car.

The challenge of introducing a new McLaren road car to a global market over a period of 12 months would seem daunting but then we are talking about McLaren - a name synonymous with racing technology with an enviable heritage in automotive know how and success on the racetrack. So by capturing the elements of the brand's pedigree - success in F1, the F1 road car and the popularity of the iconic SLR, the introduction of a high performance sports car was the next logical step in the Company's evolution. Moreover, an essential step in securing the positions of more than 800 employees at the state-of-the-art McLaren Technology Centre at Woking in the UK.

Harrison is keen to point out the reasoning for such expansion: "[McLaren Group chairman] Ron Dennis highlighted a long time ago that motor racing, in particular Formula One, was a high risk business, with statistics denoting that over the last 50 years there have been more than 100 race teams that have entered and pulled out at great expense. For this reason diversification was essential to maximise the knowledge base and preserve the expertise within." Under the overarching brand there is McLaren Racing (F1), McLaren Electronic Systems, McLaren GT3 Racing and McLaren Applied Technologies. With the launch of McLaren Automotive in 1989 the doors were opened to translating such racing pedigree into road performance.

The F1 road car made an incredible statement when it was introduced to the market and during the 1990s McLaren tried its hand at the Le Mans 24 hours, the only globally-recognised race the team had yet to win. A McLaren F1, slightly modified from the road car, won on its debut in 1995.

"With the introduction of the MP4-12C we had to ensure we ticked all the boxes in relation to engineering, design, speed, technology and style," Harrison points out. "Where we now feel we will excel is in customer service. Strategically we have kept the dealerships to a minimum of premium established retailers in the region".

Formerly head of PR, Harrison's move from communications to an essentially commercial position underscores the value the Company places on relationship-building with its client base. He will be responsible for enhancing McLaren Automotive's presence across the Middle East and Africa, managing the Company's relationships with appointed retailers in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai) and South Africa. The MP4-12C will be the first of a new line-up of introductions to the market.

The new M838T engine powering the MP4-12C is a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 unit, mated to a seven speed transmission. This McLaren Automotive-developed engine delivers 592 bhp, 22 bhp more than the Ferrari 458 Italia and some 40 bhp more than the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. Maximum torque of 600 Nm is returned at 7,000 rpm.

All of which means the MP4-12C can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds on hot-weather Corsa tyres, making it even quicker than the legendary McLaren F1 road car, acknowledged by many experts as the best car ever built. The 0-200 km/h figure is an equally breathtaking 8.9 seconds.

McLaren Automotive has already handed over more than 30 12Cs to Middle East customers. The factory will produce approximately 1,500 in 2012, and hidden within the secure unit of the Woking HQ there are, for sure, some more surprises at prototype stage awaiting their epiphanic moment.

© The Gulf 2012