Description
Known as being one of the oldest active teams in Formula 1, the McLaren nameplate has been the envy of almost everyone it comes up against since 1966. A company with a rich race heritage of winning world championships and setting new standards, McLaren set out to do what many thought they couldn’t; build a road legal car that would quite literally create the hypercar class. The outcome would be the McLaren F1, a 6.1-liter V-12 monster that produced 618 horsepower. The F1 one would go on to set a new world record clocking in at 243 mph, blowing away everyone in the industry. Riding on the success of the F1 and data gathered from it, McLaren’s all-new model would become available to the public in 2011, the MP4-12C. It became the company’s first production vehicle entirely designed and built in-house by McLaren and took the supercar class by storm.
Production would run from the start of 2011 till April of 2014, and even though McLaren never published precise figures when it came to production numbers, it is understood that this is example is 1 of only 3,400 to have been built. Nicely equipped in a menacing triple Carbon Black option (exterior, interior and wheels), its presence is one that does not go unnoticed, especially when its unique “touch-sensitive” up-ward opening doors are on full display. The exterior presents well showing very few blemishes. While the 2012 date code Pirelli P Zero 235/35 and 305/30 tires show plenty of tread left on them and are in good condition as they were installed in 2019, it is noted that the passenger side rear wheel displays slight road rash on the rim.
The MP4-12C’s predecessor might have carried a V12, but this McLarens 592 horsepower 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine is one that cannot be thought any less of. Derived from McLarens Formula 1 racing technology and performance data the numbers speak for themselves as this menacing McLaren will launch to 60 mph in the low 3 seconds and finish a quarter mile in 10.9 seconds all while achieving a top speed of 205 mph. Compared to its competition in 2012, like the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche 911 Turbo, it takes the crown in almost every category for speed and performance.
Comfortable seating for 2 occupants the cockpit is exceptionally clean and features carbon fiber components throughout. The black leather bucket seats blend well with the red stitching in the cabin and are equipped with an electric adjustable control system that allows for the driver to be in the perfect position. An array of modern technology can be found in the cabin like Bluetooth capabilities, built-in GPS navigation, a touchscreen stereo and USB plug-in. The system is working but does require a software update. The air-conditioning blows cold air, as well as heat when desired, insuring the proper temperature is achieved while motoring.
A supercar that helped lead the way in the mid-2000s when it came to race car-derived performance and technology for purpose-built road cars, this low mileage 2012 McLaren MP4-12C with a clean CarFax Report, is one that will not just give you unforgettable experiences in the present time, but also one that is poised to be a desirable and collectible supercar in the foreseeable future.
