Civilized Supercar: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C

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Motor vehicles have evolved enormously since the dawn of the 21st Century, and the Supercar sector is no exception. Once the domain of vehicles featuring highly-strung engines and shifters seemingly set in concrete, this 2012 McLaren MP4-12C demonstrates that they have reached the point where they could conceivably function as daily drivers. This McLaren has been meticulously maintained, and with a mere 8,300 miles showing on its odometer, it will offer the new owner years of classic motoring pleasure. The seller has listed this civilized classic is listed here on Barn Finds Classifieds in Oxford, Connecticut. They set their price at $108,000.

The MP4-12C, first released in 2011, wasn’t the company’s first venture into Supercar production. Few enthusiasts will forget the F1, which achieved the feat in 1998 of becoming the world’s fastest production car when it hit 240mph. The MP4-12C immediately created a sensation when unveiled, courtesy of its impressive performance. Penned by Frank Stephenson, McLaren focused on aerodynamic efficiency to extract the best from its latest model. The appearance is subtle and understated, with none of the enormous scoops or wings that were once a hallmark of cars of this genre. Its Pearl White paint is flawless, with no chips or scrapes. The car has never received repairs or touch-ups, with its overall lack of issues consistent with a cherished classic with a mere 8,000 miles showing on its odometer. The trim is spotless, and the seller confirmed that this classic received new taillights in 2018 when condensation appeared in the originals. It is that level of attention to detail that buyers will undoubtedly find reassuring. The glass is crystal clear, and the enormous 19″ alloy wheels are perfect.

It is fair to say that Supercar interiors were once spartan, with companies focused exclusively on performance at the expense of comfort. However, this MP4-12C breaks that mold, because it features the appointments that you might expect to find in a luxury model. Leather trim is the first nod to comfort, as is a touchscreen for navigation and in-car entertainment. The occupants can tailor the climate-controlled air conditioning individually from controls located in each door, while a leather-wrapped wheel and airbags increase occupant comfort and safety. Finding anything to fault inside this McLaren is impossible. The combination of Red and Black leather looks striking against the Pearl White exterior, and there is no wear or physical damage. As with the exterior, it is flawless, carrying the hallmarks of a vehicle that has been treated respectfully and that has a genuine four-digit odometer reading.

McLaren followed what might appear to be a relatively conservative path with the MP4-12C. The company adopted a mid-engined architecture, filling the engine bay with a 3.8-liter V8. That doesn’t immediately sound like a recipe for excitement, but the engine capacity is the tip of the iceberg. The addition of twin turbochargers and advanced electronics allow the motor to generate 591hp and 442 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a seven-speed double-clutch transmission, while four-wheel independent suspension and enormous four-wheel disc brakes indicate that McLaren designed their new model as a “total” vehicle. With only 3,172 lbs to shift, that V8 will launch the MP4-12C through the ¼-mile in 10.9 seconds. Given enough room, the motor will run out of breath with the needle nudging 205mph. This is a genuinely fast car that would satisfy even the most hardened performance enthusiast. However, it is also remarkably civilized, and with the ability to comfortably top 20mpg, it could operate as a practical daily driver if the buyer felt so inclined. The current owner purchased this classic in 2014, and since its previous custodians were both dealerships, they are its first “genuine” owner. They have meticulously maintained this classic, with all maintenance work and recalls completed as specified by McLaren. It has a genuine 8,314 miles showing on its odometer, and the engine springs into life at the first push of the Start button. It runs and drives perfectly, and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

The 2012 McLaren MP4-12C demonstrates that a Supercar can provide its owner with exceptional performance, but can do so while providing excellent comfort and a range of features that make every journey feel like a special occasion. This car not only presents beautifully, but potential buyers can feel reassured because it has been maintained to the highest level utilizing a cost-is-no-object approach. The new owner won’t face days of preparation before indulging in pure motoring joy, because all they need to do is strap in, press the button, and hit the road as they revel in an unparalleled driving experience. That prospect sounds too good to ignore.

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Comments

  1. spq1972@hotmail.com Stan 🏁Member

    Amazing car. 🇬🇧 Beautiful and insanely fast. Good write up Clarkey, and the sellers ad is very interesting too 👍
    One thing not mentioned was the unique suspension on these supercars. Below is from Car and Driver. 👇

    “The MP4-12C’s clever suspension bits worked so well in Sébastien Loeb’s Citroën rally car that the FIA banned this technology in 2006. What looks like an ordinary shock absorber at each wheel is instead a hydraulic cylinder. In relation to wheel motion, a piston inside each cylinder pumps hydraulic fluid into and out of the chambers above and below the piston. All eight chambers are connected to two accumulators, each of which contains fluid and nitrogen separated by a bladder.

    Unlike conventional shock absorbers, these pistons have no orifices or valves. Instead, the flow restrictors are located where the hydraulic lines attach to each cylinder. The size of the restriction, which is varied by an electronic controller, determines the amount of damping provided.

    The pressurized nitrogen contained within the two accumulators acts as a spring to resist roll motion; each accumulator handles one cornering direction. Individual wheel motion is resisted by the coil springs.”

    Like 1
  2. Joey MecMember

    Quite a good looking car with great lines! Too bad I don’t have $108K lying around…. and in addition 240 MPH is a bit too fast for me…. If I get a car up to 100 MPH ( even for a brief time) that is enough!! I’m just a guy who likes some rumble, some good acceleration and just going through the gears ( that is with a clutch!) Alas some people today who drive fast cars don’t really know what a clutch is….to me driving is no fun without one!!

    Like 0
  3. Curt

    Not exactly a barn find. I like the old more affordable stuff here better. There are other sites for the buyers of things like this.

    Like 0

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