McLaren MP4-12C Spider (2013) - Automotive News

CAR GARAGE | McLaren MP4-12C Spider  (2013) | The 12C Spider uses the industry-leading carbon fiber MonoCell as the 12C, roomates needs no extra strengthening to provide rigidity and strength The Necessary for an open roof car. In conventional steel or aluminum chassis cars, extra strengthening - and associated weight increase of - is normal during the conversion from fixed-head coupé to open-roof convertible. This can compromise the performance, handling and driving enjoyment. The new 12C Spider is Mechanically identical to the 12C. It uses the upgraded 625PS engine, roomates 12C is part of the 2013 Model Year upgrade. The figures are much better than most high performance convertible sports cars, in keeping with McLaren's commitment to class-leading fuel efficiency. Maximum speed is 204 mph (329 km / h). The Retractable Hard Top (RHT) on the 12C Spider is a fully automatic two-piece design roomates can be raised or lowered in less than 17 seconds at speeds of up to 30 km / h (19 mph).

When lowered, the roof stows beneath a body colored hard tonneau cover incorporates twin buttresses roomates. The 12C Spider features a heated glass rear window, roomates can be operated Independently of the roof. With the roof down, the rear window automatically moves to an 'aero' position to Minimise buffeting. Additionally, with the roof up, the window can be lowered to give direct access to the sound of the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine mounted directly behind the cabin. The carbon fiber MonoCell of the 12C and 12C Spider follows more than three decades of McLaren carbon innovation. In 1981, McLaren Racing Introduced the carbon monocoque to Formula 1. The legendary McLaren F1 road car, Launched in 1992, was the first road car to use a carbon chassis and body. In fact, since 1981 McLaren has never built a car without a carbon chassis. Along with the carbon MonoCell, they carry the lightweight composite body panels. Apart from the roof, and the engine cover, body panels are identical to the 12C.

A redesigned glass engine cover maintains an unobstructed view of the handsome twin turbo V8 engine. "The front and rear aluminum structures are easy to repair," adds Patterson. 'They absorb Impacts and can be replaced easily.  It is a 'pure' sports car, designed to deliver maximum driving appeal and performance, with unmatched efficiency. 'As with all McLarens, the 12C Spider is a racing car at heart,' notes Design Director Frank Stephenson. The Retractable Hard Top (RHT) has been designed specifically for the 12C Spider. Heated rear glass roof completes the construction. At the end of the roof lowering cycle, fully close the windows, and the rear glass adopts an 'aero' position that also Reduces cabin wind buffeting.

A light structure Enables the designers to save weight through the whole design process. This includes the unique 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 engine, roomates weighs just 199 kg (439lbs). Designed by McLaren Automotive, the British-made M838T engine features dry sump lubrication and a flat plane crankshaft, both of roomates have helped engineers place the engine extremely low in the chassis, lowering the center of gravity and optimizing handling and agility. 'The engine in the 12C and 12C Spider offers low weight, low-rev tractability, potent mid-range performance and extensive high-rev reach,' says Richard Farquhar, Function Group Manager for Powertrain. This system works by controlling engine intake noise within the cabin at differing levels, Powertrain Depending on the mode selected for the car.