MP4-12C prices released

4:28 pm, November 25, 2010

McLAREN’S MP4-12C will launch with a price tag of £168,500, it has been announced today.

Customers will be able to specify a wide range of personalisation options ranging from 17 paint finishes – including the iconic ‘McLaren Orange’ – and 14 interior trims can be specified inside the cabin.

Performance upgrades include a sports exhaust system, carbon ceramic brake discs, polished-finish callipers and two lightweight forged wheel options.

The ‘standard’ 12C features just one piece of carbon – the MonoCell – but carbon fibre options will include mirror casings, engine bay panels and engine cover.

Antony Sheriff, managing director of McLaren Automotive, said: ‘When we embarked on this challenge to design, develop, build, sell, and service the world’s most exciting and high-quality high-performance sports cars – from a brand new factory at our Formula One headquarters – we knew expectations would be high.

‘Announcing such competitive prices is a major step for us and another milestone achieved,’ he said.

CHEAPER THAN A 458?

The price does at present look cheaper than its bitter rival, the Ferrari 458 Italia. But delve a little deeper into the figures and you’ll see that the MP4-12C price doesn’t include the registration fee of £55 or the first year’s road tax of £950.

Add those on top and the price rises to £169,505. The 458 retails at £169,546. That makes things a little closer.

But McLaren is quoting their price with the 20 per cent VAT rate included – that’ll add about £3,500 to the Ferrari’s price when they add it to prices in the new year. So the McLaren is cheaper then?

Well yes, on paper, it is but a Ferrari spokesman told Car Dealer: ‘On paper it is cheaper, but the 458 comes with carbon ceramic brakes as standard. The McLaren doesn’t and they’re likely to be an expensive option.’

It seems the battle for honours won’t just be on the track then, but in the price lists too… the real question is – will the people who can afford these cars care?