Performance Review: McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo - [2011]

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 / Manual version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.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 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 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 592 bhp (441 kW) @ 7000 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 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3 (437.6 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 412.8 bhp per ton and 308.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 MP4-12C competing with the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3 (437.6 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Gumpert Apollo 4.2L V8 Twin Turbo (436.6 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 3.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.4 secs, this made the McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo as fast as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (3.30 secs) the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (3.30 secs) the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (3.30 secs) the or the 2022 Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12 (3.30 secs). This McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs) the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (3.40 secs) the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo Roadster (3.40 secs) the and the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (3.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the MP4-12C and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo

When talking about the performance of the McLaren MP4-12C on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.98 secs @ 124.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (10.93 secs), the 1959 Aston-Martin DB4 GT Zagato (10.95 secs), and the 2014 Lexus RC -F 5.0 V8 (10.96 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo has a maximum speed of 205mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 MP4-12C equals the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo then how about the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph), the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (217 mph), or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (217 mph).

Related Links:

2011 MP4-12C Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison