Source: www.cpifinancial.net
McLaren Automotive’s debut high-end sports car, the MP4-12C to introduce a new era to UAE’s high-performance sports car market.
McLaren Automotive’s debut high-end, high-performance sports car, the MP4-12C, has been revealed in the United Arab Emirates for the first time. The highly anticipated model from the British manufacturer was unveiled today at a special event for VIPs and media at the prestigious Armani Hotel in Dubai.
The innovative 12C marks the beginning of a new era in core-segment sports cars. This two-seat, mid-engine model features a revolutionary one-piece, carbon-fibre chassis structure, the carbon MonoCell. It is the first time a car has featured a one-piece, carbon-fibre structure; a strong and lightweight engineering solution that comes straight from the world of motorsport.
The 12C introduces new standards not just in handling, ride and outright performance, but also safety, economy and practicality in an already competitive sector. The 12C is equipped with a bespoke McLaren 3.8-litre, V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 600 bhp, and driven through a unique McLaren seven-speed, Seamless Shift, dual-clutch gearbox (SSG). Yet when it comes to CO2 emissions per horsepower, the MP4-12C is even more efficient than a hybrid car.
At the unveiling of the company’s debut model, Frank Stephenson, McLaren Automotive’s design director said: “The 12C makes no secret of its close relationship with F1 technology. At McLaren we have been building cars for decades. With the 12C, we worked on incorporating the leading edge technologies that the McLaren Group has built up through the years. This project underlines our commitment to innovation, engineering, safety and most of all reliability. I believe the 12C will prove to be a great success”, concluded Stephenson.
Ian Gorsuch, McLaren Automotive’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, said: “We are thrilled to finally present the MP4-12C to the UAE market. When it comes to high-performance sports cars, customers in the UAE are exceptionally well-informed and passionate. There has already been great interest in the 12C in the country, and we are all looking forward to the car going on sale here in summer 2011.”
“Al Habtoor Motors has been chosen to represent McLaren Automotive in the UAE, based on its extensive experience, unique heritage and reputation for excellence in customer service in the Emirati luxury car market, and will sell the 12C from show rooms in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai”, concluded Gorsuch.
Sultan Al Habtoor, President of Al Habtoor Motors said: “The arrival of the 12C marks the start of a new era for Al Habtoor Automotive. We are very pleased to be part of this special day, and look forward to delivering the car to customers across the UAE. The initial response to the car has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are confident that the car will be a major success in the country.”
Al Habtoor Motors is now part of a worldwide network of 35 retail outlets, and will start selling the 12C from summer 2011. Additionally, Al Habtoor Motors will host a fully equipped official service centre that is staffed by technicians who have received full technical training at McLaren’s headquarters in the UK.
The 12C has received over 3,000 expressions of interest registered on www.mclarenautomotive.com with much interest from car enthusiasts in the UAE.
