McLaren MP4-12C

[autogyro]

Like they did with the SLR Merc?
We shall see.

[Just_a_fan]

Like they did with the SLR Merc?
We shall see.

The SLR was a Mercedes.

McLaren have only produced one car of their own: the F1.

[marcush.]

I find it hard to believe that McLaren were able to obtain the technology base for designing and building a state-of-the art V8 overnight.

I strongly doubt if its entirely an in-house development.

The post above your last I stated that the engine is built by UK firm Ricardo. Dont know why you chose to ignore it.

marcush. The factory is well underway and they must have all the tooling as they are building the 12c as we speak on an old slr production line (link earlier in the thread)

I see no chance whatsoever for McLaren in the future in performance cars, they should move into other things and fast.

Well its selling nearly as quick as it accelerates so Im pretty sure they have a ripe future.

you are surely aware of the difference between prototype and series tooling ....if I need a few parts to build a car that is a complete different story to having to gear up for a 1000cars per year business.you need a proper quality planning for series production ,this is not going to work in a motorsport sense of doing things.I am absolutely sure Macs is competent and preparing this in the
best possible way ...I do actually admire them doing this ...and they deserve to
be applauded .the second link I mentioned in my post confirms that they are indeed on track.

[WhiteBlue]

Well its selling nearly as quick as it accelerates so Im pretty sure they have a ripe future.

I have not seen any source saying a word about the order book. So far it was only said that sale will begin in spring. Today was the first day of spring which means the car can only officially go on sale tomorrow. So it woukd rreally be interesting what sources thestig84 has.

[Pandamasque]

Today was the first day of spring which means the car can only officially go on sale tomorrow.

And what year is it now?

[WhiteBlue]

Today was the first day of spring which means the car can only officially go on sale tomorrow.

And what year is it now?

2010 obviously. Product will ship in spring 2011 but that would not stop McLaren to sell cars with a one year lead time. So I still would like to know from thestig84 where he got the sales figures from.

[thestig84]

Today was the first day of spring which means the car can only officially go on sale tomorrow.

And what year is it now?

2010 obviously. Product will ship in spring 2011 but that would not stop McLaren to sell cars with a one year lead time. So I still would like to know from thestig84 where he got the sales figures from.

I didnt state any sales figures, just that its selling quickly. My source was from a post in this thread. Auto Express saying they are selling like hot cakes. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoe ... start.html

[autogyro]

There was a high performance car manufacturer less than 20 miles from me who made similar claims two years ago.
The liquidator is clearing the factory at the moment.
McLaren do have a good name and of course Gordan Murray but IMO that will only stave off the end by about six extra Months.
Perhaps they have a hybrid version that works but just like with Ferrari I very much doubt it.
There is a technical revolution happening but it is not in performance road cars.

[WhiteBlue]

I'm not sure the Ferrari will be any better with hybrid drive regarding fuel economy. And for electric crusing you don't buy a 170,000$ car.

[autogyro]

I'm not sure the Ferrari will be any better with hybrid drive regarding fuel economy. And for electric crusing you don't buy a 170,000$ car.

Exactly and world road vehicle energy and pollution regulations are hovering over the future of Ferrari and companies like McLaren cars. Customers are going to think more than twice if there is a very real and inevitable change in such regulations coming that will prevent them from using their vehicles.
Who knows when this will happen. It is going to come though, be certain of that.
It is why FOTA was formed in F1 to hold off Kers development and delay alternate energy road vehicles, for as long as Ferrari and the others can con the public.
It all gets more obvious now by the day.

[Fil]

There is a technical revolution happening but it is not in performance road cars.

Performance cars are rarely required to lead such revolutions. Their customer-base doesn't usually give two rats about the environment or fuel economy.

'Performance' will still sell performance cars, and for a long while too. Hybrid-drives, in this niche, will only become a norm once they add genuine, reliable, performance.

Going by Ferrari's effort, they're obviously not quite there yet.

[RacingManiac]

Bold claim for McLaren to close down shop in 6 month.....

Ferrari's been making sub 8 MPG cars for years, as does Lambo and others, and I think they are only getting better business....as said their customer base does not give 2 cents about green movement like you believe. They buy their 150-200k cars in the pairs and buy a Prius to make them feel good. And their consumer market are way too small to lead any real changes in the industry.

You want real change, bring them to the market in affordable cars....But regardless, it will not happen by yapping on a internet board criticizing everyone else's work....

[Pandamasque]

Today was the first day of spring which means the car can only officially go on sale tomorrow.

And what year is it now?

2010 obviously.

At least we're in the same year.

[autogyro]

Bold claim for McLaren to close down shop in 6 month.....

Ferrari's been making sub 8 MPG cars for years, as does Lambo and others, and I think they are only getting better business....as said their customer base does not give 2 cents about green movement like you believe. They buy their 150-200k cars in the pairs and buy a Prius to make them feel good. And their consumer market are way too small to lead any real changes in the industry.

You want real change, bring them to the market in affordable cars....But regardless, it will not happen by yapping on a internet board criticizing everyone else's work....

Those who buy performance road cars at the top prices are mostly the people who take their money out of the countries they live in and avoid paying taxes. Many are the very -ankers who are directly involved with the banks that have recently and continue to 'steal' money from the worlds majority.
Their day is very nearly over, smell the roses.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are coming to the market, it is only vested interest in fossil fuels that is holding up the process and forcing everyone to suffer because of it.
It is not 'what I want'. it is inevitable. Those who ignore it are going to lose out big time.

[Pandamasque]

Cars are far more than just means of transportation for those who are willing to pay unreasonable amounts of money to buy anything more than just a small family car. Buying electric Ferrari would be just as pointless as going to a Cream show played on highly cost efficient Casio keyboard by one person (pressing the 'start' button, because having 3 musicians for that is not strictly necessary). If that's the Ferrari of the future, we could as well watch the real thing on the old videos and listen to the old records.
AFAIK, most people don't find appliances that exciting. Necessary yes, exciting not.