McLaren MP4-12C Enters Production, 1,000 Cars to be Built this Year [with Video]

McLaren Automotive's brand new MP4-12C has reached another milestone with the start of production at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, England. The British sports car maker said it plans to build up to 1,000 examples of the MP4-12Cs this year, with most cars to be manufactured in a bespoke new £40m McLaren Production Centre, which is due for completion in May on a site neighboring the MTC facility.

The MP4-12C was first presented to the public at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England in July 2010, ahead of a North American debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August of the same year.

It is powered by a mid-mounted 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 600HP and 443 lb-ft, developed in-house by McLaren, and can complete the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in under 3.0 seconds and the quarter mile in around 11 seconds, while reaching a top speed in excess of 200mph or 322km.

Prices for the MP4-12C start at around €200,000 in mainland Europe, £168,500 in the UK and at $229,000 in the US.

Today, McLaren also released a new short film called 'Best of 2010', which features appearances from F1 racing stars Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, visitors’ reactions to the 12C at its debut events as well as new footage of the car winter testing at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Scroll down to watch it.

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New Video of the 2011 McLaren MP4-12C Testing in Spain

Continuing its series of short films on the development of the all-new MP4-12C, McLaren has released a second video of the latest Experimental Prototype (XP) 12Cs undergoing intensive testing in Spain's Applus IDIADA facility. Featured in the film are the XP8 and XP10 Beta-phase prototypes.

According to McLaren, the key differences between the first XP and these XP Beta cars concern the revised M838T twin-turbo V8 engine, upgraded transmission featuring new gear ratios, a more efficient cooling package, new suspension geometry and upgraded electrical architecture.

Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive Programme Director, who is leading the core engineering team that comprises of 20-25 Vehicle Technicians said:

"The benchmark competitor vehicles we have tested become nervous and twitchy at higher speed, but the 12C feels more stable than anything I have driven.Because the bump rejection is so good, the ride is smooth and the steering is solid."

"Between now and production the vehicles and the team are working flat out. All this is geared towards not just achieving our unprecedented levels of performance but also guaranteeing the levels of quality, reliability and durability with which we expect to delight future McLaren customers," Vinnels added.

The new MP4-12C is due to be launched in early 2011.

VIDEO: McLaren MP4-12C Show and Tell with Ron Dennis and Antony Sheriff

One of the most anticipated sports cars of the year, McLaren Automotive's spanking new MP4-12C was formally introduced to the world on Wednesday with the release of the first photos and details. We know that you're lusting for an action packed video, but for now we'll have to be content with these two new videos showing the firm's bosses Ron Dennis and Antony Sheriff talking about the MP4-12C that can be seen turning around in the background. Hit the jump to watch both videos.