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Cars
Auto Tech
A drive in the 'terrifyingly fast' McLaren MP4-12C supercar (pictures)
McLaren's second-ever road car is one heck of a ride.
Drew Stearne
Aug. 15, 2013 12:58 a.m. PT
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The 12C was designed by Frank Stephenson.
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It's McLaren's answer to the "usual" supercars.
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It's got 616 bhp and will easily top 200 mph.
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Its power comes from a twin turbocharged 3.8-litre V8.
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And it's terrifyingly fast.
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Thankfully, it rides incredibly well thanks to trick suspension.
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It's based around a carbon-fibre tub.
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The tub takes just 4 hours to put together.
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The McLaren F1's took much, much longer than that.
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All 12Cs are built in Woking, Surrey.
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Brake steer is used to keep the 12C in check when you're cornering at (high) speed.
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It brakes the inside rear wheel a touch to get the car's nose back in line.
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Its F1 derived tech, but was banned shortly after its introduction to the sport, as it was a bit too good.
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This is the first true McLaren road car since the F1.
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As predecessors go, the McLaren F1 isn't a bad one to have.
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