Yahoo Autos Is The McLaren 12C The Best Platform To Tune The Hell Out Of?
When the McLaren MP4-12C came out for the 2011 model year, McLaren rated its 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 at 592 horsepower. The car got discontinued after the 650S was launched with 641hp, but not before a simple ECU upgrade raised maximum output to 616 horses.
While Ricardo upgraded the M838T engine with improved cooling and a new block (mostly so that they can mount the electric bits) for the P1, that 727 horsepower engine uses the same Mitsubishi turbos (although at higher boosts) and variable cam timing to reach those figures, still running out of revs at 8500rpm. Fast forward to the 675LT, and McLaren's V8 got tuned to 666hp, only to produce a hundred less in McLaren's entry-level car, the 570S next door. I think you catch my drift here: This compact V8 has a lot more to give.
North Carolina-based tuning company Hypercar Development seems to agree, having spent two years on perfecting the 12C's heat management and coming up with a new ECU that regulates the boost individually by the gear to give this light and aerodynamic carbon fiber supercar the performance of a 675LT, if not more. How does 837 horsepower sound? It made Matt Farah want to have a drink after driving the thing, that's for sure.
McLaren built approximately 3500 12Cs before ending production in April, 2014. These cars are a bargain right now, since most people prefer to grab a used 650S instead of one of these earlier models. But spend an extra $30,000 on a kit like this, and they won't be able to keep up with your old dog.
You Might Also Like
