McLaren MP4 12C supercar has twin turbo V8, stupid name

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Formula One giant and maker of ludicrous-speed supercars McLaren, has just announced its newest creation.

Much to the chagrin of Internet fanboys the world over, the MP4 12C is not aimed at reclaiming the ‘world’s most extreme supercar’ title from the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and SSC Ultimate Aero. The MP4 12C will be more of a direct competitor with the recently announced Ferrari 458 Italia.

Interestingly, McLaren didn’t partner with another major automotive manufacturer as it did with the McLaren Mercedes SLR and the BMW engined F1. The MP4 12C is set to be powered by a 3.8-liter, 600 horsepower twin turbo V8 of the company’s own design.

Attached to that engine will be one of the trick, dual-clutch gearboxes that we’ve all come to expect from modern supercars. It will undoubtedly shift insanely fast and carry a monumental price tag, but worth noting is the ‘pre-cog’ setting, which primes the gears for maximum shift-fastitude. No word yet on whether or not it predicts murders.

The MP4 12C is set to go on sale in 2011 in the $200,000 to $280,000 thousand price range.

-- J. Mark Sternberg