McLaren reveals flagship UK dealership

McLaren Automotive has unveiled the location of its flagship London showroom.

The new showroom will be sited at London's newest and most exclusive development, One Hyde Park; The Residences at Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge.

McLaren London will move into the new premises in early 2011, in time for the launch of the MP4-12C the first of the car maker's new range of supercars.

The MP4-12C
The MP4-12C a mid-engined, two-seat rival for the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo will take advantage of the experience and techniques McLaren has acquired in 44 years of Grand Prix racing.

Power comes from a brand-new 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 engine developing 600bhp and 444lb ft of torque 370lb ft of which is available from 2000rpm to the redline at 8500.

The MP4-12C will accelerate from 0-125mph in less then 10 seconds and come to a complete stop again in less than five seconds. Its carbon dioxide emissions are already below 300g/km, but that figure should fall in the future, according to McLaren Automotive boss Ron Dennis.

McLaren had previously hinted the car would cost somewhere between 125,000 and 175,000, but now says it will bring the performance of a 500,000 car to the road for a third of the price, so set aside 166,666 if you want one.

Join the waiting list
Buyers will soon be able to part with a substantial deposit at dealerships in Birmingham and Manchester as well as 20 other locations around the world.

Another 12 dealer locations will be announced in the autumn. McLaren's long-term plans are to have up to 70 dealers worldwide selling 4000 cars a year.

First deliveries of the MP4-12C are expected next spring, with around half of the first 1000 cars set aside for customers in Europe. McLaren says it has already received more than 2500 expressions of intent to buy the car, so order now and you'll have to wait several years to get your car.