We’re guessing Hennessey’s upgrade will take the ‘standard’ 592-hp to 800-hp.

Check out more news on the McLaren MP4-12C.

“We’ve been taking fast cars and have been making them faster for over twenty years,” said company founder and president John Hennessey. “I spent a lot of time around the new 12C at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was very impressed. We’re excited to have the opportunity to take a great car and give it our own special performance touch while giving 12C owners a uniquely aggressive appearance”.

No pricing has been set but you can check out the details after the jump.

HPE800 Twin Turbo Upgrades Include:
- Upgraded intercooler system
- Upgraded air intake system
- Upgraded ball-bearing turbochargers
- Hennessey titanium exhaust system
- External wastegates
- External blow-off valves
- Upgraded fuel and engine management system
- Upgraded transmission cooler
- Upgraded transmission clutch system
- Custom dyno-tuned engine calibration
- Hennessey Warranty

Other Upgrades Include:
- Hennessey CarbonAero body upgrade
- Hennessey Monoblock wheels
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires
- Hennessey custom interior upgrades including carbon fiber, Alcantara and leathers

Late last summer, McLaren hinted that they may introduce a convertible version of their sexy MP4-12C. And considering that Ferrari has just launched its 458 Spyder—in which McLaren said that the MP4-12C was aimed directly at the 458—it seems like McLaren is persisting with the plan.

Britain’s renowned publication, CAR Magazine, apparently was able to obtain some spy shots of McLaren’s latest effort with the MP4-12C. Though the example that they photographed was an engineless prototype. Additionally, they apparently learned that MP4-12C will feature a three-piece aluminum and plastic roof that’s manufactured by Lotus.

So far, the rumor mill says that the MP4-12C Spyder will use the same 3.8L V8 as in the normal version.

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: CAR

At the opening og its new state-of-the-art production facility in Woking, England, McLaren’s Executive Chairman and CEO Ron Dennis confirmed that the company is hard at work on its next model.

Click here for top 10 things you should know about the McLaren MP4-12C.

While we’re not sure if this new model is a successor to the McLaren F1 or a race car for its motorsport efforts, Dennis did confirm that it will be badged the MP4-27.

“We never stop,” Dennis said in a statement. “We exist to go faster; to be state-of-the-art; to innovate; to perform with belief, flair and passion; to be the absolute best at what we do. And everything that McLaren is has been built on the founding principles of good design and solid, seamlessly efficient engineering and manufacturing.”

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

The McLaren MP4-27 is 9 months into the development program and the company has already stored 18,918 individual components from more than 3,000 different works orders and signed off more than 5,500 technical drawings.

All I know is – I can’t wait.

- By: Omar Rana

Seventeen seasons deep, Top Gear is returning for number eighteen in January. The show’s stars, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, were seen filming on the day of the announcement for the upcoming season.

The filiming was taking place at the Piazza Venezia in Rome, and later in Lecce, close to the Nardo high speed ring. Another trio accompanied the three that go by the familliar names of Noble M600, Lamborghini Aventador, and McLaren MP4-12C. Although its going to be a few months before the action hits TV screens, you can check out this teaser in the meantime.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: CarBuzz

Click here for top 10 things you should know about the McLaren MP4-12C.

According to the EPA, the 2012 McLaren MP-14 12C returns an estimated fuel-economy of 15/22 mpg (city/highway).

The 2012 Aston Martin Rapide returns 13/19 mpg, while the Lamborghini Aventador returns 11/17 mpg. Both supercars are subject to the federal gas-guzzler tax.

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

“It was a big achievement,” said Tony Joseph, director of McLaren’s North American Operation, in a interview with Inside Line. “(Gas prices) are not a buying consideration, but it allows us to say we’re an innovative company.”

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: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

UK auto publication Evo has unveiled its list of contenders for the Car of the Year 2011. Evo’s Car of the Year award has become UK’s gold standard of performance car comparisons, consisting of only the manufacturers of the hottest and most impressive new cars of the year.

This year Evo headed to Portimao in Portugal for their ultimate group test.

evo Car of the Year 2011

• Aston Martin V8 Vantage S
• BMW 1-series M Coupe
• BMW M5
• Ferrari FF
• Jaguar XKR-S
• Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
• Lotus Elise Club Racer
• McLaren MP4-12C
• Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0
• Porsche Cayman R
• Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy

Check out a video after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Evo

Top 10 things you need to know about the McLaren MP4-12C:

1. It is the first production car wholly designed and built by the company since the McLaren F1.
2. The car’s main benchmark was the Ferrari 458 Italia and when strictly talking numbers, it’s just a tad bit faster than the Italian stallion.
3. Power comes from a 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 making 592-hp at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 443 lb-ft between 3,000 and 7,000 rpm.
4. The engine is mated to a 7-speed Seamless Shift dual-clutch gearbox.
5. It runs from 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph (Corsa tire option shaves 0.2 seconds off the 0-62 mph time).
6. It weighs just 2,868 pounds.
7. The MP4-12C unofficially lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 28 seconds – it is also the second fastest car to lap the Top Gear UK track, returning a lap time of 1:16.2.
8. The MP4 stands for McLaren Project 4, the chassis designation for all McLaren Formula 1 cars since 1981. The 12 refers to McLaren’s internal Vehicle Performance Index through which the company rates key performance criteria both for competitors and for its own cars. The C simply stands for Carbon.
9. A convertible MP4-12C is under development.
10. Prices start at $231,400.

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

- By: Omar Rana

The lap was unofficial and was conducted time by Sport Auto Editor in Chief Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch. Saurma-Jeltsch lapped the track in 7 minutes and 28 seconds.

We’re waiting for an official lap time.

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

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: Omar Rana

And because of their efforts to expand their offerings have increased, rumor has it that the brand was considering a successor to the infamous F1. And apparently, the planned F1 hypercar will receive a follow-up in 2012, more than two years earlier than planned. Could McLaren be attempting to regain the title as producing the world’s fastest production car once again?

McLaren has been focusing most of their efforts on expanding the company itself and introducing their first ever dealer network. Along with these plans though is the new F1 and some McLaren insiders were able to provide some minute details.

Apparently, this new F1 will feature a unibody made completely of carbon fiber, which is similar to that of the MP4-12C. And just like the original F1, there is said to be a significant focus on saving weight, which means the F1 has the potential to pioneer a variety of new solutions for others to follow.

No other specifics have been released such as powertrain and other equipment as the car is still deep in the R&D phase. Either way, the new McLaren F1 will certainly be an interesting project to follow.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoCar

“There are no safety concerns for the delay,” Tony Joseph, director of McLaren North America, told Autoweek. “We’ve had some quality-related issues in a few cars we wanted to address before we continue to deliver customer cars.”

Joseph said that the main problems were minor and include things like condensation in the headlamps, door operation and battery-draining issues.

“We believe the battery issue is coming from the electrical head unit, which appears to not be shutting off,” he said.

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

Joseph said a temporary fix has been issued that shuts down the car’s electronics when the doors are locked to prevent the battery from draining.

While not all of the 59 units of the MP4-12C that have been delivered throughout Europe have the problems – it still kind of annoys us that a car with such a price tag is experiencing even ‘minor’ problems.

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: Omar Rana

Source: AutoWeek

The Milan showroom is one of the 35 retailer McLaren stores to be picked by McLaren to sell a future range of supercars, starting with the McLaren MP4-12C.

“The opening of McLaren Milan marks a significant point in the development of McLaren Automotive,” said Sheriff. “My vision for this company is to design and build the most innovative, efficient and high performance sports cars in the world.  We have underlined our intent with the launch of the new MP4-12C.”

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

The new McLaren Milan showroom is located on Corse Sempione 34/2, 20154 Milano.

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: Omar Rana

A British tuning firm by the name of Merdad has just released the first renderings of their MehRon GT and from what we see, the car gets a an aggressive widebody kit wit ha new front bumper, a ventilated hood and larger fenders. You can also notice a redesigned rear fascia and new wheels. On the inside, Merdad will offer its customers bespoke customizations so they get exactly what the want.

No word on performance modifications and we wouldn’t be upset if there aren’t any.

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

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: Omar Rana

Source: Merdad

McLaren has been around for quite some time, but they’ve mostly spent majority of their efforts in the world of motorsports with very few offerings in the consumer market. Their first ever model was the McLaren F1, which held the title as being the world’s fastest production car for nearly a decade. Afterwards, McLaren teamed up with Mercedes-Benz to create the SLR. Now though, they have the MP4-12C and because the McLaren road car no longer exceeds the price greater than that of an American Express Black Card balance limitation, the company is working harder than ever to become a major player to fight against the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Over the past several months, McLaren has expanded even more, opening up dealerships around the world. Just last week, a Singaporean billionaire invested in the Surrey, UK brand. So things are looking quite healthy for the small company. And as a result, McLaren has apparently announced some details for expanding their lineup.

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

McLaren is planning for a full model range with four more models already on the drawing boards. The manufacturer said that they will be basing their lineup on “tiers,” with cabrio versions in all tiers. For instance, the MP4-12C, whose original name was P11, represents McLaren’s middle tier because it goes against the Ferrari 458 and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The next model specifically, is internally dubbed the P12 and is said to rival cars in the segment of the Lamborghini Aventador and is being considered as a McLaren F1 successor. The next car will be cheaper and that’s codenamed the P13, which will be a non-turbo Porsche 911 alternative.

All of McLaren’s cars will be built using the latest technology in carbon fiber, said managing director Antony Sheriff.

As for the fourth model, no details have been released. But after learning about the aforementioned, it’s safe to assume that the next car will be codenamed the P14. But because McLaren has two very important segments already covered with the current MP4-12C and the new P12 and P13 models that are in the works, this leaves question for the P14. Could McLaren reach far down market, or will they produce a Bugatti-competitor that will be the ultimate expression of McLaren could do? Only time will tell. Either way, McLaren has their hands quite full for next several 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.

2012 McLaren MP4-12C:

- By: Chris Chin

Source: MotorTrend

Gemballa is a common name that pops up in the world of motorsports and coachbuilding. I’m sure most of you have heard Gemballa and Porsche in the same sentence. Now though, Gemballa will be working with two McLaren MP4-12Cs.

A new racing team was gathered for Gemballa and for the 2012 motorsports season, two McLaren MP4-12C GT3s tuned by the company will be racing around.

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

“We deliberately went for the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 for our motor sport commitment, because we think the car has enormous potential to be among the season’s leaders,” said Gemballa’s investor, Steffen Korbach. “Together with a renowned deployment team that’s already won everything in sight and exceptional drivers, we obviously want to drive to win. Racing is in our blood.”

Sascha Bert, a race driver and instructor, will lead the new team, Gemballa Racing SE.

Gemballa McLaren MP4-12C GT3:

McLaren MP4-12C GT3:

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Gemballa

A Singaporean billionaire by the name of Peter Lim has just recently invested in McLaren Automotive, the company that brought the world the McLaren F1 and the current MP4-12C.

Specifics as to how much Lim invested into McLaren haven’t been disclosed, but McLaren said in a statement that “it is a significant amount.”

According to Forbes, Peter Lim is the eighth richest businessperson in Singapore and owns a series of Manchester United-themed restaurants and bars throughout Asia.

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

Last year, Lim offered to buy the Liverpool football team for $528 million. Not to mention, he is the second largest shareholder in the fashion retailer, FJ Benjamin.

McLaren has been slowly expanding their operations to become a more prominent member in the consumer automobile market. Considering the context of the investment, it’s not hard to imagine what McLaren could be planning now thanks to the extra bump in funding. A McLaren super sedan perhaps? A predecessor to the F1 to compete with the Bugatti Veyron? Who knows.

2011 McLaren MP4-12C:

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoWeek

Famous television and movie star Rowan Atkinson is recovering in the hospital after an accident with his McLaren F1 supercar occurred earlier this week. The 56-year-old actor walked away from the ditched F1 while a passing motorist looked after him after crash.

Atkinson was then taken to Peterborough District Hospital in Cambridgeshire where was treated for a minor shoulder injury. This event comes off as a little ironic since the actor just appeared on an episode of the most recent season of Top Gear UK for the “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” segment.

“People would assume that in the reasonably priced car I will be very good when there’s absolutely no guarantee of that whatsoever,” said Atkinson during his segment after completing the challenge and being the fastest actor around the Top Gear track.

Mr. Atkinson is expected to be released from the hospital some time today as we speak.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Telegraph

McLaren Automotive announced that McLaren GT will make its return to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit this weekend for Total 24 Hours of Spa. The move follows a successful race debut there in the British GT Championship early in July. The second race in the MP4-12C GT3′s development program will see ten experienced racing drivers pilot a trio of MP-412C GT3′s first ever 24 hour race.

“The McLaren GT driver line-up for the Total 24 Hours of Spa includes CRS Racing Team Principal Andrew Kirkaldy and McLaren Automotive Chief Test driver Chris Goodwin,” McLaren said. “Both are Directors of the new McLaren GT company, which is led by McLaren Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh and includes McLaren Racing Head of Vehicle Engineering Mark Williams.”

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

“I’m delighted with the quality of the drivers we have enlisted as we take the 12C GT3 to its first 24 hour race. This level of endurance racing is a crucial test for the car technically, and we need the best possible team working with us to ensure we receive intelligent, objective feedback on the 12C GT3 driving experience. We will use this feedback as we continue to develop the car in readiness for customers to go racing next year.

McLaren GT will continue to use the 2011 race season to develop the 12C GT3, with 20 cars due for delivery to private teams for GT3 series racing in 2012.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3:

- By: Omar Rana

McLaren Automotive has had a goal set to expand upon its international market by opening up dealer networking overseas. In line with that goal, the supercar brand just opened the doors at two new dealerships in Germany. Hamburg and Dusseldorf are the latest locations, with opening day hitting right before the Formula 1 German Grand Prix.

Previously, London was the site of the last opening when McLaren launched their flagship showroom there. More sites are expected to open up in the cities of Frankfurt and Munich. Thirty more showrooms will span the globe by this year’s close. Countries that will getting the brand include Europe, North America, South Africa Japan and the Middle East.

The automaker is also including a piece of history in the showrooms, with plans to have a different competition model from the company’s past, and a street model MP4-12C for now.

The late Ayrton Senna won three Formula 1 world championships, with his last being in 1991. The MP4/6 goes up in Hamburg, while an MP4/5 will be on display at Dusseldorf.

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

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.

2012 McLaren MP4-12C:

- By: Alexandra Koken