Are Ferrari's 458 Italia AND Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 'Gullwing' DOOMED?

Now, when some brands go out and make a car they put out a good effort but there are definitely compromises.

Not with McLaren, however. The British automaker does not fool around. Today was a very exciting day for the brand that adores Papaya Orange.

As today was the official unveil of the all-new, hyped-up McLaren MP4-12C, we got a better look at what this new supercar will be capable of. And, from what we can see, it is an uncompromised, twin-turbo'd V8 behemoth.

Not only will the MP4-12C will not only be more powerful than Ferrari's 458 and Mercedes-Benz's SLS AMG, but it will be lighter as well!

With that said, are the Ferrari and Mercedes doomed?

Weigh in below!

McLaren's press release follows:

McLaren Automotive putting MP4-12C in pole position with a carbon revolution

·         Carbon at the core of the 12C, McLaren’s first in a range of innovative high-performance sports cars

·         12C developed on principles of lightweight engineering that deliver new performance benchmarks

·         Efficiency, quality, safety and comfort offer the perfect package for full range of customer demands

The latest plans for McLaren Automotive’s global launch of a range of high-performance sports cars were announced today (March 18) including performance data from recent testing programmes, details of the car’s innovative construction, and new technologies inspired by Formula 1.

Indicative performance data from the most recent test sessions are confirming the development team’s confidence in producing a car of exceptional out-and-out performance as well as quality, safety, comfort, and efficiency levels. The 12C is set to present new standards in the sports car market:

·         0 – 200 km/h                           under 10 sec

·         200 – 0 km/h                           under 5 sec

·         100 – 0 km/h                           under 3 sec / 30m; less than seven car lengths

·         V-max                                                 over 200 mph

·         ¼ mile                                     around 11 sec

·         CO2                                         under 300g/km

·         Lightest dry weight                  around 1300kgs

Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive’s Programme Director said: “We are very encouraged with this first release of performance data from the latest XP-Beta development cars. We are focusing on ‘real-world’ performance that has relevance for 12C drivers on track or on road. As you would expect of McLaren, we are aiming to set new standards for all performance criteria, from top speed to fuel economy, in-gear acceleration to braking distances and carbon dioxide emissions.

“What these results don’t show though is the overall package compared to our competitors that will make the 12C easier to drive, more comfortable to spend time in, and dynamically jaw-dropping,” Vinnels concluded.

Continued development and testing programmes in New Zealand, Arizona, Spain, and at venues including the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring will deliver further performance figures in the summer before the first customer car is built at the McLaren Technology Centre in late-2010.

The innovative one-piece moulded carbon-fibre chassis (the MonoCell) is the key to the 12C’s performance, forming the structural heart of the car, and an ideal occupant cell that delivers exceptional crash test results and a unique driving environment.

The MonoCell’s low weight, structural rigidity, dimensional accuracy and innovative four-hour manufacturing process are the factors that support McLaren Automotive’s decision to structure its range of cars around this racing-derived technology. This concept is a core strand of McLaren’s DNA:

·         McLaren was the first racing team with a carbon chassis (the 1981 MP4/1)

·         The McLaren F1 was the first road car with a carbon chassis

·         The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is the most successful carbon-based car for sales ever (2,114 between 2003 and 2009)

·         In the past 30 years, McLaren has not built a car with a metal chassis

The structural integrity that a carbon chassis offers then allows McLaren Automotive the freedom to clothe the car with a combination of aluminium and low-density SMC (sheet moulding compounds) panels that, themselves, are ground-breaking: the SMC panels are 11 percent lighter than on any production car.

Reducing weight is an obsession at McLaren, borne of the principles that have driven McLaren’s racing teams to more motorsport success than any other: recent developments have lowered the MonoCell’s weight further to below 80 kilos, whilst continued lightweight engineering supports McLaren Automotive’s plans to launch the 12C at a lighter dry weight than any competitor at around 1300 kilos.

McLaren Automotive is aiming for the 12C to be at least 75 kilos lighter than its nearest competitor and a long list of further lightweight solutions highlights the 12C’s introduction as a new type of sports car, driven by McLaren Automotive’s obsessive attention-to-detail. Examples include:

·         Standard composite brake system of forged aluminium and cast iron is lighter than the optional carbon-ceramic brake system, saving five kilos

·         Low-weight Lithium-Ion battery saves 10kgs

·         Lightweight magnesium structural beam supports the dashboard

·         Small, twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivers 600PS from 3.8-litre capacity

·         Rear mounted engine cooling radiators minimise the pipework, the fluids contained within them, and therefore weight. They were also mounted in car line to minimise vehicle width and weight.

·         Hexagonal aluminium wiring saves four kilos over circular wiring.

Not only is the 12C incredibly light and fast, it also features a range of new technologies, many inspired by Formula 1, and all unique to McLaren. In fact, the 12C has been described as ‘pure’ McLaren: all content in the car is bespoke to the 12C, from the switchgear to the engine:

·         Brake Steer aids balance and grip through fast corners either acting as a safety control or an aid to performance on the track

·         The Airbrake increases downforce and therefore grip at speed and moves the centre of pressure rearwards under heavy braking

·         Proactive Chassis Control negates the requirement for mechanical anti-roll bars and distributes damper control hydraulically between wheels and axles resulting in minimal roll at high speed combined with compliant suspension articulation in a straight line and over uneven road surfaces

Neil Patterson, Chief Engineer for the McLaren MP4-12C said: “Our goal for the 12C, and future McLaren cars, is to offer what we call ‘accessible performance’, no matter what the driver’s ability.

“With that in mind, with the technologies we have introduced, and with a small and lightweight, low- and mid-mounted engine, we have been able to deliver what we feel is a perfectly balanced chassis. The 12C will be a joy to drive in town, on an Autobahn, or on a track. There is no compromise and huge flexibility,” Patterson concluded.

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FanboyOfTheTruth - 3/18/2010 9:47:57 PM

0 Boost

Looks like your generic sports car in a video game. A very forgettable design.

Joe_Limon - 3/18/2010 11:34:51 PM

+1 Boost

What's worse, a generic supercar or a riced out supra?

nguyenvuminh - 3/18/2010 10:10:50 PM

0 Boost

For whatever reason I have never been impressed by the cars from these boutique shops (I know I know, McLaren is a technological tour de force but it's very "boutique"). From the McLaren to the Bugatti to the Morgan, etc. Performance, material-wise, etc. they're all great but I just don't like them for some strange reason. BTW "car in a video game", I would agree with FanboyOfTheTruth's assessment here.

Agent00R - 3/19/2010 12:39:51 AM

-3 Boost

So two cars both engineered to be at the top of their game have been overshadowed by - from what another user said - "boutique" shop.....

That sounds pretty bad to me...

recca7 - 3/18/2010 11:00:23 PM

+1 Boost

i remember hearing from somewhere that the SLS AMG is all sold out and I'll be damned if the F458 doesn't get sold out, so no..they are not doomed, not even close. They all win because they'll all be sold out and they're all magnificent works of art.

Joe_Limon - 3/18/2010 11:33:37 PM

-2 Boost

Under 300 g/km?? That's less than a 911 GT3!

Lexus - 3/19/2010 12:20:39 AM

0 Boost

Hey there Joe,

did you use to work for Toyota as Janitor or something and than get laid off, why are always bashing on Toyota?

What they ever done to you?

Unlike I like all cars, even American. Especially, the new Cadillac CTS and the soon to be release Cadillac CTS Coupe.

Give it a break dude, stay on the subject. No one mention Toyota or anything about the Famous Supra. Just chill.

And yes, it is I that deboosted you ; - )

Joe_Limon - 3/19/2010 12:58:16 AM

0 Boost

why did you post on my post that had nothing to do with Toyota?

JUGNU - 3/19/2010 6:51:01 AM

+1 Boost

I agree the design could have been better, the car looks like British car maker Noble. But i think these shapes are only what we are going to get from now on as everything is dictated by aerodynamics in this class. Other examples are LFA and F458 especially LFA Concept's stunning front end was changed just because of aerodynamic reasons and now still looks nice but nowhere near as beautiful as the concept's.

On a side note, McLaren has begun buying back the 40% stake Mercedes acquired in McLaren and should complete the process by the end of 2010.
The company is entering a new era as it begins production of road vehicles in greater numbers than it has done before and ends its association with Mercedes.
I think Mercedes Benz's decision to buy Brawn GP in F1 was the starting point of this separation.

JUGNU

pennfootball - 3/19/2010 10:52:45 AM

+1 Boost

honestly they will not be doomed if McLaren keeps that stupid orange color, if they offer other colors then yes they are going to have a lot of competition in foreign markets. In the USA oly enthusiasts know McLaren and they have no dealer network or anyway of reaching out to non McLaren F1 customers. So it will be interesting to see how it pans out. The car is good, the chassis is ahead of the Ferrari and the the styling is more conservative. It will be niche that is for sure.

agentbb007 - 3/19/2010 10:57:39 AM

+1 Boost

The 458 Italia will do just fine. After a few years I will trade my 430 in for a low miles Italia. There are plenty of Ferrari fans like myself who will keep buying Ferrari unless they royally screw something up.

quizz - 3/19/2010 11:27:49 AM

-3 Boost

These cars are destined to be garage queens 90% of the time. Seriously, will such low clearance allow you to drive these cars anywhere but the smoothest roads? Obstacles such as suburban speed bumps, pot holes, and driveway ramps reduce these cars to weekend track stars (yeaaaaah right) or the occasional drive up the coast (what a waste if not a convertible).

Joe_Limon - 3/19/2010 12:07:08 PM

-2 Boost

This car has active suspension that lowers and raises it for every day driving.