McLaren MP4-12C: the story so far - McLaren MP4-12C performance stats Feb 11

McLaren has revealed performance details of its new MP4-12C sportscar.

The headline stats are:

” Top speed: 205mph
” 0-62mph: 3.3 seconds
” 62-0mhp: 100ft/30.5m
” CO2 emissions: 279g/km
” Average mpg: 24.2mpg

The car will go on sale in the spring for £168,500 and will be available through three dealerships in the UK – Jardine Motor Group in London, Rybrook Motor Holdings in Birmingham and Sytner Group in Manchester.

The car is powered by a new 592bhp 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine mated to a dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox.

The gearbox has three settings – Normal, Sport and Track modes – which, says McLaren, provides progressively quicker gear changes.

Gearshifts are made by finger-tip controls mounted on a rocker behind the steering wheel. The driver changes up by either pulling with the right hand of pushing with the left, and vice-versa to downshift.

McLaren says it has built a new suspension system for the MP4-12C, claiming it can deliver 'executive car-like' ride quality with the sharp-handling expected of a performance car. Like the transmission, the suspension also has Normal, Sport and Track modes, which alter the damping and the stability control settings.