2013 McLaren MP4-12C Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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All hail the invisible supercar! Like the runner-up prom queen, she just tries harder. Except in this instance, there’s really no need. The McLaren MP4-12C is every bit as capable as the rest of the supercar cavalcade, costs less and might actually offer more.
Sure, Ferrari or Lamborghini may do it slightly faster with more exotic tech, but you’re also going to pay a paltry premium of a few extra hundred thousand dollars. However, what they won’t offer you is automatic upgrades.
Before we speak about carbon-fiber monocoques, twin-turbo V8s or even mention horsepower or quarter-mile times, I will repeat that: automatic upgrades. While many haven’t heard about the 12C, it’s already been around a few years and nearly 2,000 of them are out there, assaulting apexes and ripping rubber. While with other car companies early adopters simply get left in the dust with each new round of updates, with McLaren each model improvement gets applied to all previously purchased incarnations.
For free.
For 2013, that means 25 extra hp for the already prodigious 3.8-liter, twin-turbo, mid-mounted V8. For those keeping score at home, that brings total hp output to 616. Pair it with the 443 lb-ft of torque and you’ve got a robust combination, especially when 80 percent of that torque is available at 2,000 rpms and peak power hits at 8,500 rpm. That’s a lot of room in which to operate.
There have been some acoustic upgrades as well, specifically to the Intake Sound Generator (ISG). This is an electronically dampened intake resonance tube that channels engine noise into the cabin. I’m not sure anyone was claiming the V8 sitting directly behind your right ear was quiet, but no one is complaining about this volume adjustment either. Previously the ISG was linked to the powertrain selection, with only the track setting allowing for the ultimate aural assault. Now it’s adjustable through the driver interface. Feel free to keep it loud, even when you want to keep it comfortable and slow.
Speaking of which, you’ll no longer have to worry about bottoming out around town, as an adjustable ride-height suspension is a new option for 2013, allowing drivers to raise and lower the front and rear control arms to navigate curbs, speed bumps and maybe even loading onto a trailer for a track day.
More innovation? It’s not new this year, but it’s certainly worth mentioning: hydraulic dampers instead of anti-roll bars. Dihedral doors are similarly unique, although they may have garnered more critique than commendation. How about the Seamless Shift Gearbox? That’s what McLaren calls its version of a 7-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transmission. No, there’s no option for a traditional 3-pedal manual, but this transmission does utilize McLaren’s Pre-Cog gear queue, which allows the driver to press one of the shift paddles halfway in order to pre-select the next down or upshift ahead of time.
Additional standard features include 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, LED driving lights and bi-xenon headlights with washers, leather and suede upholstery, a 7-inch touchscreen, power-folding heated mirrors, active airbrake and the previously mentioned adaptive suspension.
For more, you’re going to have to pay. Lighter wheels, sport exhaust, parking sensors and carbon-ceramic brakes will all cost you. Even paint will cost if you feel like venturing beyond the standard white, blue or silver. You can also add carbon-fiber trim inside and out, power heated front seats, a navigation system or full leather with an upgraded stereo. There’s also a quirky “Stealth Pack” option that adds a darker color to the exhaust and rear wing. Sure.
It’s not the fastest supercar out there, and it’s not the cheapest, but it’s close on both counts. Plus, it’s the only one that won’t leave you wondering what you spent all that money on once the next round of revisions comes down the flume. For that reason alone, the 12C may be the best sportscar value on the road.
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2013 McLaren MP4-12C Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Premium Brand: Meridian · Touch screen display radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 14.6 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Power adjustments: 2
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.31 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: wing · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Safety
Impact sensor: fuel cut-off
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Premium Brand: Meridian · Touch screen display radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 14.6 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Power adjustments: 2
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.31 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: wing · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top
Safety
Impact sensor: fuel cut-off
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent