Breaking the law in 3.3 seconds

The McLaren MP4-12c featured at the Johannesburg International Motor Show produces an impressive 441kW achieving 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds.

Photo by: Robert Mabusela



With Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele’s proposed speed limit of 100km/h one could be breaking the law within 3,3 seconds that is if you are driving the new McLaren MP4-12c.  The  rear engined light weight McLaren is promised to be the “first genuine no compromise Sports car”  according to McLaren brouchures, but with the given 0-100km/h figures the McLaren team is just being modest as the MP4-12c deserves to be called a super car, 200 km/h is reached in 9.8 seconds or 8.9 if your car is fitted with Corsa tyres which will play an essential role in reaching the top speed of 330km/h a bit more faster.

Super car manufactures are using their gym memberships making sure that weigh shedding is at the top of their workout programme, unnecessary weight is lost as excessive weight hinders the achievement of maximum performance and by this not only the acceleration improves, other performance improvements include breaking 100-0 km/h in a distance of  30.5m, handling, and fuel efficiency releasing only 279g/km which just might save you from having to paying co² emission Tax. The whole weight shedding is made possible  by using a carbon fibre MonoCell structure which means that the McLaren gets a one piece light weight carbon fibre chassis with rear and front aluminium frames instead of using carbon fibre as used in the Audi R8  which has parted with 100kg, fuel figures stand at 11.7 litters per 100km releasing only 279g/km of co².The McLaren is powered by a handbuilt 3.8 liter twin turbo V8 engine which boasts 441kw/h with  600Nm torque available from 3000rpm right up to 7000rpm, the engine will be put up against  German rivals Audi R8 GT, Porsche 911 Turbo PDK, and the Japanese Godzilla Nissan Skyline GT-R and not forgetting the Godzilla killer Lexus LFA,  as seen on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5R-oi91bd4).

All rivals have between 368 kW (Porsche 911 Turbo PDK) to 441kW (McLaren MP4-12c). According to specs the McLaren is the most favourable with the fastest 0-100 in 3.3 seconds that’s if you`re rolling on standard tyres. Overall the McLaren was smartly built, with high mounted exhausts  and every single component  designed from scratch nothing was considered good enough to be carried over from an existing McLaren, this Mclaren was certainly the highlight of high performance cars  featured at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, but you`ll have to dig deep into your pockets as the McLaren will sell for 3.3 million in South Africa with a limited 20 units set to hit our shores.

by: Robert Mabusela