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McLaren has released more official details and images of its upcoming MP4-12C supercar on its new website designed to promote the car.

The company has launched a redesigned website, which gives users the chance to see the car being brought to life in videos, with explanations about how it has been designed with the driver in mind.

See the hi-res McLaren MP4-12C picture gallery

...Read the full article

“Until the car is physically presented in showrooms in early 2011, this website will be the only publicly-available source of official information relating to our range of high performance sports cars." 2011 - isn't that one year to late?

It just looks like a jumped up Lotus. If someone told me they paid £150k for one, I'd think they were lying, looooolz

Nice website though! Adobe Flash rulez, just a shame it isn't SEO friendly...

I agree. And more people buy these cars on looks and image than on ability alone.

The 458 Italia has both while the M12C no matter how phenomenal it performs 'only' has the latter. Fantastic achievement - don't get me wrong - just a shame they have no imagination. That's why McLaren are desperately trying to tease potential buyers into delaying that Ferrari order while they fettle it to have performance figures which are marginally superior. Aided and abetted by the sycophantic British motoring press, of course.

Purchases like this are made with passion and McLaren doesn't appear to have any. Just like it's F1 team, CEO and current drivers it's soul-less. This car will make perfect sense, but so does a Kia.

Personally I don't want either. The Italia's on my desktop & it's staying there.

Sandy T:

more people buy these cars on looks and image than on ability alone.

The 458 Italia has both while the M12C no matter how phenomenal it performs 'only' has the latter.

The 360 and F430 had no problems selling despite not being in the same dimension as the Gallardo visually. The major factor is actually the strength of the brand - the level of success this car achieves will be a measure of just how much cachet the McLaren name has to the average customer.

Anyway, for my part, I actually think the MP4-12C is more attractive than the 458. There's the old adage about waiting until you see a car in person before making your mind up, but right now, to my eye, the Ferrari is an awkward, non-cohesive mishmash of styles. Some of the details, such as the headlights and triple exhaust, are downright crass. The McLaren's styling may not be at all innovative, but by keeping things simple they've produced a far nicer car in my opinion.

I think it looks great myself, a clean design with some stunning details when you get close.  Technically it will move the game forward in both the chassis and engine design.  There will be a market for this car, there are enough people out there with the cash who do not want to be a "Ferrari driver".   

Autocar:

“It is vitally important that potential customers of McLaren Automotive across the globe are able to see the unique properties of the MP4-12C and gain an understanding of why we are claiming that this car will set new performance and efficiency standards in the core sports car market."

Nice one Lianne, Ron-speak at it's finest!

Not quite the wow-factor of the F1, but a tidy design.  I hope McLaren support some sort of racing invovement with the MP4-12; surely that is vital to establish an 'aura' for a new model.

Nothing wrong with putting function over form, just ask Audi. Whilst some people go for form others want something that is technically good. Older Ferrari's always seemed beautifully styled to me but nowadays they can be accused of being bland but technically good. Mclaren seem to share this philosophy but with the whole tub design I'd actually suggest that Mclaren may be about to design a car that's as bland as a Ferrari but technically far superior. And weirdly as someone who'd rather buy an Aston or Lambo over a Ferrari I now find myself craving this Mclaren... because I really rather admire Mclaren's approach and I sense a classic in the making.

TStag:

Nothing wrong with putting function over form, just ask Audi.

 

The Ferrari Enzo and the Nissan GT-R were designed in this manner and look far better than the MCLaren, which is boring and uneventful. Resorting to turbos while the 458 goes the racecar route with an n/a engine. The 458 is stunning and puts the Macca in the shade. I thought McLaren were really going to make a great looking car, but it's not even ugly, just dull.

 

 

 

The MP4-12C does come across as a little soul-less.

I suppose it's similar to an architecture. One needs to understand the design brief and its functions.

If I have to make a comparison, I'd say the MP4-12C looks and feels like a Leica camera. Everything is driven by function and engineering.

McLaren MP4-12C = Leica S2

Chunkster:

MP4-12C = Leica S2

'MP4-12C' sounds like an iPod software update.

blasos1983:

The Ferrari Enzo and the Nissan GT-R were designed in this manner and look far better than the MCLaren, which is boring and uneventful. Resorting to turbos while the 458 goes the racecar route with an n/a engine. The 458 is stunning and puts the Macca in the shade. I thought McLaren were really going to make a great looking car, but it's not even ugly, just dull.

Good lord, Blasos not liking something that's English? I am quite shocked.