New Mclaren MP4-12C video

Mclaren have released a slightly nerdy new video of the the MP4-12C undergoing final development. 

The video concentrates on the technical aspects of the car and that it will be both everyday usable and huge fun on the track, although to be honest being a Mclaren you would not expect anything less. The engine note in the drive by shots seems to indicate a flat plane crank like the V8 Ferraris but the noise is slightly muted possibly by the twin turbos.

There is still not a lot of information on how the dealer network is shaping up, which will ultimately be the biggest challenge for this car. Mclaren's desire to make an everyday supercar will fall down if the car needs to be transported half way across the country everytime it needs a service.

Ron Dennis on the Mclaren MP4-12C

To complete the recent Supercar launches, here is Ron Dennis on the Mclaren MP4-12C. Personally I'm not convinced by the styling which is very generic mid engined supercar but I'm sure it will drive as well if not better than the Ferrari 458 Italia. Also to non F1 enthusiasts the model name will sound more like a computer file type than a sports car.

Mclaren will have it's work cut out in moving from a boutique brand making a small number of expensive supercars to enthusiasts to a more mainstream brand in the public conscience. A current lack of dealer network will not help, and while the carbon tub, makes the car very light and strong it will probably make crash repairs very expensive which will push up the insurance cost. Also in the event of vehicle fire carbon bodied cars are pretty quickly turned into compost (as has happened to several Enzo's and at least 1 Mclaren F1).