McLaren's supercar takes aim at long time rival

The McLaren MP4 12C. Photo / Supplied

McLaren built the MP4 12C supercar to challenge the best from Ferrari, its long-time Formula One rival.

Ferrari is the only race team that has consistently made road-going cars since its first Formula One race in Britain in 1950.

Other carmakers, like Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo, have been in and out of Formula One. McLaren has been around the tracks since 1963.

It is the second oldest grand prix team in Formula One - and now it has a road car to take on Ferrari and honour the memory of its New Zealand founder, Bruce McLaren.

First tests out of Europe suggest the MP4 12C is a genuine Ferrari-beater. It is based around a carbon-fibre tub and powered by a new, 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged, dry-sump V8 designed by McLaren and built by British-based performance house Ricardo.

The engine sits behind the cockpit, with a seven-speed, Italian-made Graziano twin-clutch transmission hanging on the back. The double wishbone suspension uses hydraulics in place of conventional anti-roll bars, pumping the suspension to keep the effects of body roll, for example, under control. It also uses real-time adaptive damping to moderate ride quality.

McLaren will soon open its exclusive Sydney dealership, the only outlet so far for Australia and New Zealand. It released key performance details of the MP4 12C this week.

Price: £168,500 ($359,600).
On sale in May.
Power/torque: 440kW at 7000rpm and 600Nm at 3000rpm.
Top speed: 332km/h.
Zero to 100km/h: 3.1 seconds on optional Pirelli Corsa tyres, 3.5 seconds on other rubber.
Town and around fuel economy: 11.6 litres/100km (24.2mpg).
CO2 exhaust emissions: 279gr/km.