History

When it was unveiled in 2011, the McLaren MP4-12C was the first production car the brand had produced since the F1’s discontinuation in 1998. The name stands for “McLaren Project 4”, an acronym that originated in Formula 1 from the merger of Ron Dennis’s Project Four Racing with McLaren, while the “12” refers to the car’s rating in McLaren’s internal “Vehicle Performance” index, which evaluates each model’s power, weight, emissions, and aerodynamics. The “C” simply refers to the car’s carbon fiber composite chassis dubbed the “MonoCell”. In 2012, the “MP4” was dropped from its name, leaving it simply as the McLaren 12C.

The 12C used a turbocharged V8 engine that made 607 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque through a 7-speed SSG Graziano dual-clutch transmission. It set the second fastest lap around Top Gear’s test track in July 2011, with a time of 1 minute and 16.2 seconds, making it just 1.1 seconds slower than the Ariel Atom 500 and 2.4 seconds slower than the Pagani Huayra. By the time production ended in April 2014, approximately 3,500 units had been produced.

This Car

This particular example, Chassis #SBM11AAA3CW000615, is a 2012 model that was ordered and delivered through Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, CT, by its first and only owner to date. At the time of delivery, it received the 2013 model year upgrade, which included an increase of ~25 hp for a total of ~616 hp, a recalibration of the 7-speed SSG transmission, an updated radio and antenna, Bluetooth phone capabilities, automatic headlights with rain detection, a programmable intake sound generator, and other general updates. Other optional upgrades included a seat return option for the easy-exit electric seat, new Meridian audio equalizer settings, and IRIS satellite navigation.

Apart from the upgrades, this MP4-12C was well-optioned from the factory as well. The original window sticker shows optional equipment includes the special Titanium Silver paint, carbon fiber engine covers, engine bay panels, sill panels, and wheel arches. As well as sport exhaust, lightweight forged wheels with a stealth finish, a full leather interior finished in Harissa Red with a color-coordinated steering wheel, carbon fiber interior panels, electric & heated memory seats, the premium Meridian surround sound package, and a lithium-ion battery charger. All of these added up to just shy of $41,000, bringing the MSRP to $272,165 with transportation included.

In January 2013, this MP4-12C returned to Miller Motorcars for a few manufacturer-recommended campaigns, including the 10.2 software update, the diversity tuner retrofit, the HVAC drain tube modification, the replacement of the displacement sensor bracket and drop link rods, the engine cooling fan relay noise fix, and quarter glass trim modification. In March 2014, McLaren Greenwich in Stamford, CT, performed the two-year service at 590 miles, replaced the key fob, the front timing case cover, and the seat occupancy detection sensor, updated the software to 12.0, and performed campaigns for the door latches and horn re-orientation.

The MP4-12C returned to McLaren Greenwich in December 2018 for an airbag recall, a replacement driver rear marker light, a software update, a caliper bolt replacement campaign, a clutch cooler replacement campaign, a new timing cover gasket and crankshaft seal, a repair of the passenger side outer windshield molding, and a three-year service at 868 miles. In May 2021, the standard four-year service was performed at 1,209 miles. Also in 2021, at 1,245 miles a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires were installed on all 4 corners. The last service record on file is from May 2026, when Long Island Sports Cars in Roslyn, NY, replaced the driver’s seat module and the left-side license plate light.

As it sits, this 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is the example to have, it was properly spec’d from the factory and shows only 1,731 miles on the odometer from new. Technically a 2013 model year, it is equally perfect for spirited drives or as an investment opportunity. As newer McLarens become more complex, are produced in higher volume and see more depreciation, enthusiasts will look at the 12C as the more analog solution from the British automaker. Significantly increasing the model’s desirability over the long run – a wise choice and a winner hiding in plain sight.

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