McLaren GT will soon offer a limited production run of the track-focused 12C GT Can-Am Edition. McLaren made this announcement at an exclusive event set before the 2012 U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas and following the much-applauded debut of the one-off design study at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance earlier this summer.
Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme were the inspiration behind the limited edition track-special model. Both were successful at having raced a range of McLaren models in the Can-Am series. They racked up several championships for Bruce McLaren Racing. McLaren GT, the McLaren Group’s race car manufacturing arm, will deliver not over 30 units of the 12C GT Can-Am Edition.
This model is dubbed as the ‘ultimate track car’, which isn’t limited by the accustomed racing rules of the 12C GT3 racer, which was its basis. Each car will be equipped with an unrestricted variant of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with a one-of-a-kind engine calibration. It also features a cooling system that was optimized to raise its power output of up to 630hp, earning the 12C GT Can-Am Edition the recognition as the most powerful 12C ever built.
12C GT Can-Am Edition has a look that’s bold due mostly to its large carbon fibre rear wing. This is included in a distinct high downforce aerodynamic package developed by McLaren Racing using Formula 1 technology and simulation, and provides a 30% increase in downforce.
The styling of the track car uses additional carbon fibre components that distinguish it further from the GT3 racing version. These are the door mirror mounts and covers, engine cover vents, side radiator intake vanes, sill covers and badges. The 12C GT Can-Am Edition is fitted with a set of black satin-finished forged lightweight racing alloy wheels that are covered with Pirelli racing tyres.
At its core, the McLaren MP4-12C is equipped with the Carbon MonoCell, a groundbreaking carbon fiber chassis framework. This revolutionary engineering technology features a carbon fiber single structure that offers a lightweight and powerful solution.
This improvement in sports car styling and design ushers the development of higher standards not only in handling and performance but also in fuel economy, practicality and safety in car manufacturing competition.
In describing the MP4-12C, the McLaren’s racing Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh stated that the company’s road car and motorsport experience contributed greatly in the development of the 12C. The potent combination of road car and race car solutions and technologies has resulted to McLaren’s exceptional performance heritage.
Future car owners will therefore demand for advanced high-performance cars that will define the 21st century. The 12C project has therefore taken its inspiration from the Formula 1 spirit along with the technological discoveries of the real world.
As MacLaren’s breakthrough car, the MP4-12C is a two-seat top-performance middle-engine car that belongs to the core sports car category. Priced with a range from £125,000 to £175,000, the 12C is purely McLaren, with no components and materials derived from other cars. It will be built by its UK factory and shall be sold in an exclusive retail network starting 2011.
