12C Spider to make European debut at Windsor Concours of Elegance!

• European debut of the 12C Spider in the grounds of Windsor Castle
• Dynamic debut of the latest addition to the 12C family, taking part in the Octane Jubilee Tour of Elegance with Hollywood Super star, Henry Cavill
• Selection of McLaren models to be displayed in spectacular Castle setting
• 12C on display featuring new front bumper with race-derived styling from McLaren Special Operations (MSO)
• Unique GREAT-liveried 12C GT3 to complete the patriotic display of British cars

The stunning 12C Spider is set for its European debut, and first royal engagement, this weekend as it takes centre stage at the inaugural Windsor Concours of Elegance. The second model in the 12C family will form part of a four car McLaren display in the grounds of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world.

Following the recent global unveiling at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the 12C Spider, finished in striking Volcano Yellow, will be displayed as part of a line-up representing McLaren Automotive, McLaren GT and McLaren Racing. These cars will join a diverse collection of some of the rarest and exclusive road and racing cars which will be shown as part of the Concours of Elegance, with Windsor Castle providing a dramatic, and very regal, backdrop.

Adding to the occasion will be a second example of the 12C Spider which will make its dynamic debut on Sunday, 9 September. The luxury convertible sports car will travel from Kensington Palace in central London out to Windsor Castle as part of the Octane Jubilee Tour of Elegance.

The rolling showcase is a celebration of each of The Queen’s 60 years as monarch, and will feature an automotive icon from each year. As the latest model, the 12C Spider will conclude the parade, representing 2012; the Diamond year of The Queen’s reign.

As an ambassador of the ‘Make Britain GREAT’ campaign, the 12C Spider will be driven by British actor Henry Cavill, star of the latest Superman film, entitled ‘Man of Steel’.The GREAT campaign is designed to re-affirm Britain’s international reputation and deliver long-term economic benefits through additional tourism, trade and education.

McLaren GT will also be present on the lawns of the famous royal residence with the patriotic McLaren 12C GT3 race car adorned with the unique Union Flag livery, which premiered at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The design highlights McLaren Group’s support of the ‘GREAT’ campaign launched by the Prime Minister’s Office and Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Joining the display will be a 12C featuring a front bumper with revised styling from McLaren Special Operations (MSO),the division of McLaren Automotive responsible for the delivery of bespoke projects. Available as a factory-fit option or through MSO as a retro-fit option for both 12C and 12C Spider, the more aggressive styling creates a more dynamic visual impact.

The lower section of the colour-coded bumper, framing the air intakes, is constructed from carbon fibre, while the front floor is made from race-derived carbon Kevlar. This new floor section incorporates additional diffusers, which delete the tyre spoilers fitted to the standard 12C models.

Completing the McLaren line-up will be the pioneering MP4-1 Formula 1 car, which was the first racing car to use carbon fibre in the production of the chassis. This groundbreaking car proved extremely successful in motorsport, both through its inherent strength and light weight construction, and the carbon fibre technology was quickly adopted by other teams on the grid, and throughout all other forms of motorsport. From here, all McLarens – both for the road and for the track – have been constructed using a carbon fibre chassis ever since. The example being shown was successfully raced by five-time Grand Prix winner John Watson during 1981.

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McLaren Automotive heritage:

McLaren Automotive has a 20 year heritage in producing landmark sports cars for the road: the McLaren F1 road car, which was launched in 1992, set the world land speed record for a production car, and is regarded as one of the iconic sports cars of the modern age. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2003 – 2009) is the most successful supercar ever in its price bracket, having sold twice as many cars as its nearest carbon-based rival.

McLaren Automotive has now moved from these successful automotive projects to launching a new car company that will design, develop, and distribute a range of high performance, highly efficient and technologically innovative sports cars through a global network of highly respected premium car retailers in every major automotive market.  

Around 4,000 sports cars will be built annually by the middle of the decade in the advanced new manufacturing facility, the McLaren Production Centre. McLaren Automotive’s debut model is the 12C. Drawing on the company’s long-standing Formula 1 experience in its concept and development, the 12C is lighter, faster, more powerful, more fuel efficient and more exclusive than its key competition. It supports its performance benchmarks by introducing a unique one-piece moulded carbon chassis into the ‘core’ sports car segment in a new production method that brings the performance of £500,000 cars to market at a third of the price. All future McLarens will continue the themes presented by the 12C: innovation, integration of Formula 1 technology, and ultimate performance.

In 2011 McLaren Automotive announced the launch of McLaren GT; a new race car manufacturer combining the expertise of McLaren Automotive, McLaren Racing, McLaren Electronic Systems, McLaren Applied Technologies and CRS Racing.  McLaren GT is responsible for developing the first racing derivative of the 12C sports car, the MP4-12C GT3.  Twenty-five examples of the MP4-12C GT3 are now racing with private teams in Europe in 2012.