Mclaren MP4-12C their first release since they stopped the F1 in 1998!

Every red blooded male, car enthusiast and even people with a casual interest in automotive matters has heard of the Mclaren F1.  produced in 1996 through a collaborative effort on the part of race drivers and technicians, it set the world speed record for a road car in 1998, and STILL holds that record in January 2011, some 12 years later.

The F1 was one of the true landmarks in the history of car making, central steering column with 2 seats either side, with an awesome powerhouse of a BMW V12 LMR engine output-ing some 627 hp, it quickly became the de riguer toy for the very wealthy, then in 1998 they stopped making them, and the aftermarket prices have ensured the F1 stayed pretty close to its release price ever since

Now after a 12 year Hiatus, the car announced in 2009 september, the McLaren MP4-12C has finally been given its pricing and expected release dates.

First a little about the vehicle itself, a carbon fibre composite chassis, carries a V8 twin-turbo McLaren M838T engine, with an output of 592 bhp, potentially less than the F1, but technology has changed some, and sheer bhp does not a fast car make.  The car utilizes several F1 technologies, such as Brake steer, pre cog and various others, and aditionally has a dry sump and flat plane crank similar to a race car engine, lowering the centre of gravity and allowing a higher rev limit, gone sadly however is the F1's unique 3 seat layout.

Pricing will be £168,500 in the UK and $229,000 in the US, demand is expected to be high in all markets, and the release date has not yet been definitvly confirmed but has been announced as mid 2011.