It's been about three months since McLaren first announced a GT version of its MP4-12C and if you ask me, that an awful long time to be waiting for something so good. Well ladies and gentlemen, the wait is finally over. the MP4-12C GT3 has been hitting Silverstone Circuit for testing and McLaren has been nice enough to make a video and even show us some pretty sexy pictures.
The race-version of McLaren's new coupe is nearly four inches wider than the street version. It also features completely reworked suspension, which was first tested on McLaren's in-house simulator. Power is provided by the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the standard MP4-12C. However, in GT3 guise, the setup has been tuned for the track. A paddle-shifted Ricardo-designed transmission takes the place of the seven-speed unit found in the street car. Upgraded brakes have also been fitted to this race-prepped McLaren.
Beyond the mechanical changes, the MP4-12C GT3 gets aero-upgrades in the form of a front-splitter, fixed rear wing, additional door intake blade and new rear diffuser.
If you ask me though, that's all fine and dandy, but it just seems like the MP4-12C has some rather large shoes to fill left behind the McLaren F1 GTR. You know, that monster of a machine that took the overall championship at Le Mans the year it was released back in 1995. The same F1 that held the record for fastest production vehicle at 240 MPH back in 1992, and still holds the record for fastest naturally aspirated car. Yeah, that McLaren F1. With details like that, it just seems like I will never be able to love this MP4-12C as much as I love the F1, just like I can't love Miracle Whip like I love Mayonaisse.
Click after the break for pics and video!!
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