McLaren to spend $1 billion to challenge Ferrari, Lamborghini

So McLaren went from being a small independent racing firm that just so happened to create one of the world’s fastest production car, to working with various other manufacturers, and now once again producing a model of their own while adding a dealer network to expand. And now, the McLaren Group is planning on spending nearly $1 billion in order to up their game to compete with some of the most prestigious marques in automobile history: Ferrari and Lamborghini.

“I see it as a fantastic challenge to come to the market with a new brand,” said Executive Chairman of the McLaren Group, Ron Dennis.

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Click here for more news on the McLaren MP4-12C.

About $320 million went into the R&D of the current MP4-12C and with a racetrack oriented version on the way, around 2,000 orders were placed and there is roughly a two-year waiting list. Not to mention, the McLaren Group is planning on unveiling 13 additional models and variants in the future, said McLaren Auto’s managing director, Antony Sheriff.

In addition, Ron Dennis said he plans on selling as much as 47% of McLaren Automotive by the end of the year to rid of some of their debt.

“We don’t like debt,” Dennis said. “Investors have got to be patient but there is very clearly a profit coming after three or four years.”

Refresher: The 2012 McLaren Mp4-12C is powered by a 3.8L twin-turbo V8 making 592-hp at 7,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 443 lb-ft between 3,000 rpm to 7,000 rpm. That allows the McLaren MP4-12C to run from 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds with a top speed clocked in at 205 mph. The Corsa tire option shaves 0.2 seconds off the 0-62 mph time. 0 to 124 mph takes 9.1 seconds and with the Corsa tire option that goes down by 0.2 seconds. The quarter mile run takes the McLaren MP4-12C  10.9 seconds at 134 mph. Stopping from 62 mph can happen in 100 feet. Price start at $231,400.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Bloomberg