Launched in mid-year 2011, the stunning McLaren MP4-12C was produced through 2014. The world soon fell in love with the 12C Spider that was quickly named the Middle East Car of the Year. In just a few short years, the 12C Spider has left an indelible mark on the hearts of McLaren fans and aficionados of supercars and sports cars everywhere. Its legendary status was built through exceptional and innovative design, power, and impressive performance.
The Sky is the Limit
The convertible edition of the original MP4-12C, the 12C Spider features a retractable hardtop and top speeds that rival those of the coupe. Weighing just 88 lbs more than its hardtop cousin, the Spider’s top speed of 204 mph comes tantalizingly close to the 207 mph top end of the coupe. Even with the top down, the 12C Spider reaches a pulse-accelerating 196 mph.
The 12C Spider is powered by the racing inspired McLaren M838T 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 592 bhp and 443 lb⋅ft of torque. After some minor changes to the engine in 2012, later models produce 616 bhp. The engine redlines at 8,500 rpm and makes 80% of its torque available at only 2,000 rpm.
The McLaren 12C Spider’s power plant is connected to a “Seamless Shift Gearbox”, a seven-speed automatic dual clutch transmission. The gearbox’s “pre-cog’ feature permits the driver to preselect the next gear by tapping the paddle lightly.
A Convertible with Racing DNA
Those who appreciate McLaren’s racing DNA appreciate the 12C Spider’s chassis that begins with the F1 inspired Carbon Monocell. This one-piece carbon fibre tub weighs a total of just 176 lbs. The driving cockpit features a more traditional side-by-side configuration than its McLaren F1 predecessor.
While the roof is retractable, the dihedral doors of the coupe remain in the 12C Spider. Deep, sweeping side panels scoop and dismiss the air while cooling its mid-engine power plant. Its low profile, wider, curved hips and a muscular stance complete the impressive, muscular appearance of this automobile that has carved out its niche is sports car history.
Challenging Beliefs. Raising Expectations.
McLaren has always challenged beliefs. McLaren has been racing for over 50 years and has been pushing boundaries of possibilities since. Good is never good enough for McLaren and the 12C Spider is an example of a quest to build the world’s most advanced high-performance supercars. The 12C Spider is among the first sports cars to be built from supercar DNA and the first to offer the excitement only a McLaren can deliver.