2013 McLaren MP4-12C Can-Am Edition Racing Concept

MCLAREN GT CONFIRMS PRODUCTION PLANS FOR LIMITED RUN 12C GT CAN-AM EDITION

•Track-focused design concept confirmed for production
•Limited run of no more than 30 examples
•Most powerful 12C ever will have increased engine performance of up to 630hp

Following the successful premiere of the one-off design study at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance earlier this summer, at an exclusive event ahead of the 2012 Únited States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, McLaren GT has confirmed plans for a limited production run of the track-focused 12C GT Can-Am Edition.

The limited edition track-special pays tribute to Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme who successfully raced a series of McLaren models in the Can-Am series, claiming a string of championships between them for Bruce McLaren Racing.

McLaren GT, the race car manufacturing arm of the McLaren Group, will produce no more than 30 examples of the 12C GT Can-Am Edition. Billed as the 'ultimate track car', these will not be subject to the usual racing regulations of the successful 12C GT3 racer on which it is based. Each will be fitted with an unrestricted version of the familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with a unique engine calibration, and optimised cooling system to increase the power output of up to 630hp, making the 12C GT Can-Am Edition the most powerful 12C produced to date.

The dramatic appearance of the 12C GT Can-Am Edition is dominated by the large carbon fibre rear wing. This forms part of a unique high downforce aerodynamic package which has been honed by McLaren Racing using Formula 1 technology and simulation, and offers an increase in downforce by 30 per cent. Further carbon fibre components enhance the styling of the track car, further differentiating it from the GT3 racing version. These include door mirror mounts and covers, engine cover vents, side radiator intake vanes, sill covers and badges.

Completing the exterior look, the 12C GT Can-Am Edition sits on black satin-finished forged lightweight racing alloy wheels, shod with Pirelli racing tyres.

Sharing the same carbon fibre MonoCell chassis as the groundbreaking 12C and 12C Spider, the 12C GT Can-Am Edition is also fitted with a full FIA-approved race-specification rollcage. Inside the cockpit are two black race seats, complete with full six-point harnesses, and a unique McLaren GT steering wheel carried over from the 12C GT3 race car. The shape and grip of the steering wheel is derived from the McLaren MP4-24 Formula 1 car. An integrated motorsport air conditioning system is incorporated into the bespoke lightweight carbon fibre dashboard adding a touch of racer comfort.

Buyers of the 12C GT Can-Am Edition will also be able to benefit from bespoke support packages from McLaren GT.

Andrew Kirkaldy, Managing Director of McLaren GT explained: 'The 12C Can-Am Edition concept shown at Pebble Beach earlier this year was purely that, a one-off design study. However, the reaction and response following the unveil was remarkable. It is a real testament to the performance and results of the McLaren GT customer teams this year, still only in the debut competitive season, that there is such a strong demand for this type of track-day special.'

Kirkaldy continued: 'The Can-Am name holds significant historical provenance for the McLaren brand, and those early racing cars of Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme were truly incredible machines. To be able to produce this unshackled limited edition version of the 12C, I think is a fantastic way to resurrect a glorious chapter in the company's past.'

The 12C GT Can-Am Edition will be strictly limited to a production run of no more than 30 cars, costing £375,000. Each will be built at the new home of McLaren GT in Woking, with production commencing from March 2013.

Source - McLaren

McLaren 12C Can-Am Edition Racing Concept Makes Debut At Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance Weekend

•Track-only design concept weighs 1,200kg (2645.5lbs) and features unique aerodynamic package with a 30 per cent increase in downforce
•More powerful 12C with increased engine performance of up to 630hp
•Debut showing of a 12C racing concept variant designed for the North American market
McLaren GT, the new race car manufacturing arm of the McLaren Group, is presenting a dramatic track-focused concept at the Pebble Beach Concours, the 12C Can-Am Edition. The one-off design study is finished in historic McLaren Orange and satin black, and is the debut appearance of a 12C racing variant outside Europe.

The 12C Can-Am Edition is finished in striking shade of McLaren Orange, in tribute to cars of Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme which were extremely successful throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The bold hue is in dramatic contrast to the roof, door and bumper sections, finished in satin black, while carbon fibre also features on the side radiator vanes, wing mirrors and engine cover. The McLaren badges on the front and rear are also finished in carbon fibre. Beneath the surface, the 12C Can-Am Edition shares the same carbon fibre MonoCell chassis as the 12C road car.

Being purely a concept at this stage, and designed as the 'ultimate track car', the 12C Can-Am Edition is not subject to the regular racing regulations, despite being based on the 12C GT3 race car. The revised version of the familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine features a unique engine calibration and optimised cooling system, which allows a power output of up to 630hp, making it the most powerful 12C derivative ever shown. The overall dry weight is just 1,200kg (2645.5lbs).

The unique aerodynamics of the 12C Can-Am Edition, as with the 12C GT3 race car, have been honed by McLaren Racing using Formula 1 technology and simulation to optimise downforce. This unique package offers an increase in downforce of 30 per cent.

The optimised aerodynamic package includes a carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre dive planes, and a carbon fibre wing which dominates the rear of the car. The wing is held in place by polished aluminium mounts. An imposing carbon fibre diffuser helps to further maximise the aerodynamic package, fitted beneath the two-tone rear bumper.

The extra power output of the 12C Can-Am Edition is kept in check with a braking system developed by Akebono. The highly efficient braking system sits behind a set of black satin-finished forged lightweight racing alloy wheels, shod with Pirelli racing slick tyres which complete the exterior revisions.

Inside the cockpit, the 12C Can-Am Edition is race ready as well. Two black race seats, complete with full six-point harnesses are mounted within the cabin, while a full race-specification rollcage has also been fitted. The steering wheel is carried over from the 12C GT3, with the shape and grip derived from that of Lewis Hamilton's MP4-24 Formula 1 car, while carbon fibre detailing also continues throughout the cabin, across the dashboard and sill panels. An integrated air conditioning system, mandatory now in a growing number of race series, is also present.

Source - McLaren