New and Used MP4-12C Prices, McLaren MP4-12C Model Years and History

British auto racing team McLaren started branching into supercar production during the 1990s but the MP4-12C's 2012 introduction marked a defining moment for their auto company. Unlike the BMW-powered McLaren F1 and the McLaren SLR McLaren, the MP4-12C was constructed on completely original technology to their own image. Formula 1-inspired technologies such as a carbon fiber monocell and a unique manner for applying paint were joined by items banned by major league racing such as an air brake. The exotic supercar design incorporated signature dihedral doors. A mid-mounted, twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 engine on the MP4-12C initially generated 592 horsepower. However, McLaren quickly upgraded the engine to 616 horsepower for 2013 and offered earlier MP4-12C owners a free upgrade. The engine mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission facilitated 0 to 62-mile per hour runs of 3.1 seconds while top speed of the McLaren MP4-12C was rated at 207 miles per hour. In the second year of McLaren supercar's production, an open-top Spider model was made available. Eventually, the McLaren MP4-12C was defined more simply as only the 12C. The 2014 model year was the final year for the McLaren 12C replaced by the 650S.