Performance Review: McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren MP4-12C Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo is the 7 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular McLaren MP4-12C has a 3799cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The MP4-12C shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the MP4-12C's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1434 kgs (3161 lbs) this makes the McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren MP4-12C shares the same bhp with the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp)

In terms of power the 3799cc 32V V8 engine produces 616 bhp (459 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 443 lb-ft (600.6 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the McLaren MP4-12C you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6 (454.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren MP4-12C.

The McLaren MP4-12C has a Power to weight ratio of 429.5 bhp per ton and 308.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 MP4-12C competing with the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6 (454.5 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S (454.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the McLaren MP4-12C generating around 308.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce (333.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 6.3L V12 (333.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.1 secs, this made the McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo as fast as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (3.00 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (3.00 secs) the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (3.00 secs) the or the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 6.2 V8 C8 (3.00 secs). This McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (3.10 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Urus Performante Twin Turbo (3.10 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.10 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Cayenne GT 4.0 V8 Bi-Turbo (3.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MP4-12C and the 2008 Ferrari California 4.3 V8

When talking about the performance of the McLaren MP4-12C on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.06 secs @ 123.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Ferrari California 4.3 V8 (11.01 secs), the 2012 Maserati GranTurismo Sport 4.8 V8 Automatic (11.01 secs), and the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (11.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo has a maximum speed of 207mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 MP4-12C equals the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (219 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo then how about the 2022 Mercedes AMG One 1.6 V6 Turbo Hybrid (219 mph), the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (220 mph), or the 2011 Aston-Martin One77 7.3L V12 (220 mph).

Related Links:

2012 MP4-12C Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison