The official MP4-12C Thread

Thanks for the response, I am getting the same SR3 RS 1500, we have about 60 cars here at Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney, similar set up by the sounds, they have a couple of Race Series one local & one that goes to 4 different tracks nationally, as well as the local 'track' days, not actually race days .......great to hear from another happy owner

I think there will definitely be a track oriented street legal version of the 12C, not unlike Scud or Porsche GT2/3 etc, there is a market for that type of exotic & given they have already shown us the GT3 race version. i think once they get production going out of the new purpose built factory & the car really bedded in, it will follow. It is a simple way to keep buyers interest every 2-3 years, rather than waiting 5 years or so for total new model to arrive, makes good marketing sense.

I can't wait to drive one, they are telling us down here, first demo not until Sept/Oct this year.

 

alot of the testing was done in the arab countries,i think bahrain was one were they thashed the car several days and nights for hot weather durability,some modifications were then made for the aero to get more air through the engine bay so the performance wasnt affected

 

I think this is one of the pp cars they were using to test emisions while on the road,rather than on a rolling road,there is a picture somewhere with larger round pipes, not that long ago ,on one of the newer reg cars,i half expect this to be one of the first mules for the new F1,will try and find it ,but am away at the moment

 

as we expect,the standard seats will be the biggest weight saving.Also just a thought,its nice to be strapped in on the track,but most cars it seems to be there to stop you falling off the seat on high g corners,i suspect when you watch jenson thashing jouros around the track they dont have this problem because the suspension takes out the roll,so big bonus,But not forgetting the saftey factor it you hit anything,so sports seats cannot be that far off,but even these they didnt have harnesses

 

Perhaps the sport seats will accommodate harnesses?

 

I am no expert, but that's what they tell me. The breakdown is internal, you can only truly check by taking the rotor out and weighing it. Ferrari has sensors that count high heat events (or something like that) and then reports wear due to some algorithm.

 

Not sure if these links have already been posted, but here they are anyways:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/mclaren-mp4-12c-ultimate-road-trip-video/ (autocar's full road trip that was teased in February)

and

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/mclaren-f1-racer-vs-mp4-12c-video-feature/ (how the MP4 compares to the legendary F1)

 

quote,testing in bahrains sakhir circuit with temp above 50deg c,to optimise the cooling of the engine,specifically its turbos.when the track temp is above 60deg c,you cant do handling tests as the tyres immediately overheat ,says Beal,we focused on engine and brake cooling.we developed a simulated hillclimb towing a weight behind the car in low gear,with max engine load and little airflow,we came out of Bahrain with revised charge cooling,fan placement and thermal insultion,as well as with hvac improvements and better cabin sealing

 

more info,crash testing with 12 cars,over 100 barrier tests and 250 sled tests,as you already know many of the carbon tubs were rebuilt and used several times.
also its been reported that the engine weighs 199 kilos,the real weight is 150 kilos,also there are 34 ecu,s on board

 

This is good to know. If it can handle 50C that is better than me. I melt at 110F. Hopefully the A/C can blow out of more than 3 dash vents.

 

And yet the A/C conked out on Sutcliffe on his leisurely trip. Hope they fixed that!!

Are these quotes from a specific article? Would love to read if u have a link.

 

a 68 page suppliment by autocar fot the 12c,they did one for the F1 17 years ago apparently its now a collectors item!!
I will look over it and find everything relevant if you cant get it in the states

 

Was going to stick this in the "other" thread where it seems more appropriate, but I don't want to upset bdelp any more than he already is...

Personally I like the face of the 12C quite a bit more. YMMV.

>8^)
ER
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

And another...

>8^)
ER
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

This is the first pic where I find the 12C more attractive than the 458...

 

do you not think the leds are already looking a little old hat???

 

Indeed. The LED of the Italia (and FF and most probably all next Ferrari to come) look WOW at first sight, but shortly after they remind you of something like a Christmas tree.

The 12C with its more sober looks starts growing on me, I could imagine that its design will last longer.

 

Car & Driver just panned the LEDs on the new Chrysler 300 as being a slave to fashion. They're soon to be on everything, as the 'required' styling element. Audi's look like the designers literally said, "oh wait - we need some LED thingys in the headlamps! Same with those on the front of the 911.

Pretty soon we'll be saying "nothing says "turn of the century" like LED headlamps!"

 

I believe part of it has to do with mandatory daytime running lamps, however, I think it will be a trend just like pop-up lights were.

 

is growing on me (although Italia's still better):

http://blog.caranddriver.com/name-that-exhaust-note-episode-80/

 

Sorry - but that sounds kinda weak. Did you listen to the MP4 in the Autocar video? It sounds muted. The F458 can be heard half a mile away and absolutely SCREAMS above 6K RPM.

 

HD versions now available on YouTube

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRy1zHAB2N8[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ABIpHXiOdM[/ame]

 

Uhh, didn't I say that Italia's sound is better?

 

IMO,I'm not so sure.
Italia is either very loud (too loud) or very quiet (too quiet) while Scuderia is more consistent and the noise is gradual which I personally prefer.
At steady highway speed,the Italia has a very unpleasant drone that gives me a headache.
I'll wait for my personal experience with the Mp412c to pass judgement on the sound of that car....

 

I liked the 12 C sound in those videos. I'm in for a fire black, sport exhaust, super light weight wheels in stealth finish and black calipers, steel brakes, stealth package, all leather interior black and saddle with saddle dash, saddle outer seats with black alcantara center and two tone steering wheel. Still on the fence for IRIS system. I can't wait.