McLaren reports that it has had more than 2,700 "firm expressions of interest" from people interested in buying its new MP-12C. The initial expressions of interests, if converted into sales, are enough to account for at least two years of MP4-12C production.
The MP4-12C was first seen in public at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this month (below) and it proved to be a hit with show goers, as well as prospective customers. The car is now entering its final stages of development, having completed more than one million test miles on five continents, and building work is under way at the McLaren Production Centre, where the car will be built starting in early 2011, although initial production will commence at the McLaren Technology Centre later this year.
The MP4-12C has been given a target price of less than £175,000 ($264,000), and company boss Ron Dennis has pledged that buyers will not only get the fastest car money can buy, but also the highest build quality and highest level of dealer and after-sales support from any car manufacturer.
The car's Ricardo-developed twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter, 90-degree, V8 engine will rev to 8500rpm, with its maximum 592hp output arriving at 7000rpm. The peak 442lb-ft of torque is available from 3000rpm, although 80 percent is available between 2000-6500rpm. McLaren says the car will travel from 0-124mph in less than 10 seconds, and stop from 124mph in less than five seconds. It will stop from 100mph in seven car lengths.
McLaren will follow up the MP4-12C with an all-new F1 in 2012, as well as a smaller, entry-level supercar.
Source: Autocar