McLaren MP4-12C Price List Review

McLaren Automotive has announced pricing for its upcoming and much hyped new supercar, the MP4-12C, which goes on sale in the UK and Europe in spring 2011. In Britain, on-the-road prices will start at £168,500, while the supercar will cost €200,000 in Germany, €201,000 in France and Monaco, €201,680 in Italy and €203,360 in Belgium, with all prices including country-specific tax. Pricing in other countries will be released at a later date.

2011 McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C Wallpaper

McLaren MP4-12C Design Interior

McLaren MP4-12C Interior

The company claims the pricing in Europe and the UK is groundbreaking for a carbon chassis-based supercar. Antony Sheriff, Managing Director of McLaren Automotive said:

"With a unique carbon chassis as the foundation, and a powerful, but highly efficient McLaren engine at its heart, the 12C offers staggering value: no other carbon-based car can compete at this price-point, or with the 12C's technology and performance."

The 12C will be offered with a choice of 17 exterior paint finishes including a 'McLaren Orange' that harks back to the firm's 1960s and 1970s race cars, as well as 14 interior trims. Available performance upgrades will include a sports exhaust system, carbon ceramic brake discs, polished-finish callipers and two lightweight forged wheel options.

All MP4-12Cs will be powered by a mid-mounted 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 600HP and 443 lb-ft, developed in-house by McLaren. According to the British company, According to the McLaren, the supercar is capable of reaching 100km/h (62mph) in less than 3,0 seconds and 200 km/h (124mph) in under 10 seconds while completing the quarter mile in around 11 seconds and reaching a top speed in excess of 200mph or 322km.

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2011 Limited Honda Civic Type R Euro Launched in Japan

Honda has introduced a new model year version of its British-built Civic Type R Euro in Japan. The 2011MY batch will be the last of this model series to make its way to Japan as production of the current generation three-door Civic Type R has been terminated in Europe because its 2.0-litre VTEC engine does not meet the Euro V emissions regulations.

2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro

2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro Wallpaper

2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro Limited Edition

2011 Honda Civic Type R Euro Luxury Design

The Japanese automaker had imported 1,850 examples of the Civic Type R Euro from Britain in late 2009. This time, Honda will bring a total of 1,500 units of the 2011MY version of its high-revving hot hatch. The only changes over the previous model year are the addition of a new Crystal Black Pearl color, some trim updates such as the different finish of the fuel cap and a new numbered plaque.

In Japan, prices for the 2011MY Civic Type R Euro start from 3,000,000 Yen [including consumption tax] or about US$37,200.

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Ginetta G55

The Ginetta G50 has so far been the star of the Ginetta GT Supercup, a one-make support series for the British Touring Car Championship. There's a brighter star on the way next year, though, when Ginetta introduces the G55. The new car will compete alongside the G50 in next year's races but in its own class and with separate a points system and podium ceremony.

Ginetta G55

Ginetta G55

To go along with its more aggressive looks and aero, the G55's Ford engine is 3.7 liters instead of the G50's 3.5, and it puts out 370 horsepower - 70 horses more than the G50. Other tweaks include beefier brakes front and back and a new exhaust. Current G50 owners can upgrade to the G55 for £25,000 ($39,219 U.S.), or privateers can buy the car new for £75,000 ($117,661 U.S.).

Ginetta's latest will be publicly unveiled at Autosport International on January 13 in Birmingham, England. Follow the jump for the press release, and get a couple of glimpses in the gallery of images below.

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Mercedes SLS AMG Brabus Widestar

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 'Gullwing' looks just fine in factory tune. But not for Brabus. The German tuning house chose this week's Essen Motor Show to present its "wide-body" take on the Gullwing model.

Mercedes SLS AMG Brabus Widestar

Mercedes SLS AMG Brabus Widestar Wallpaper

Mercedes SLS AMG Brabus Widestar Interior

Mercedes SLS AMG Brabus Widestar

The aero package is called Widestar and it encompasses a front spoiler, a rear apron with a new diffuser, blistered rear wheel arches with air inlets and outlets, and a boot lid spoiler. Engineers also sculpted the rocker panels, optimizing airflow between axles, and added bigger air outlets for the front fenders.

All components are made from carbon fiber and have been tested in the firm's wind tunnel. Clients can choose between a matte or glossy clear-coated finish for the body parts. If that's not their thing, optionally, the company can paint them in the body's color or in a contrasting tone.

To complement the SLS' new look, the ride height was lowered by 30 mm and a new, height-adjustable suspension was developed in collaboration with Bilstein. The driver can adjust the suspension's height with the touch of a button to make the car sportier or more comfortable than the stock SLS. Stiffer sway bars are also on the [optional] menu.

There's no Brabus without a proper set of wheels and the Widestar SLS is no exception. The Germans offer custom tailored ultra-light 20- and 21-inch front and rear Monoblock F Platinum Edition forged wheels, wrapped around in 275/30 ZR20 and 295/25 ZR21 Yokohama rubber. The new rims are bigger and lighter reducing unsprung weight and, thus, improving handling, the tuner claims.

Under the bonnet you'll find the same 6.2-liter V8 engine, albeit fitted with a high-performance and lighter (-12 kg or -26 lbs.) titanium exhaust system with sound management, which increases power by 10 hp.

As for the interior, Brabus offers a plethora of custom options, ranging from carbon fiber inlays in any desired color to an ergonomically shaped steering wheel. Premium upholstery is also offered, made from the fine leather and Alcantara.

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Opel Ampera 2010

Opel has announced Ampera as the name of its revolutionary extended-range electric car. The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera will be revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5-15).

“With the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometers of non-stop electric driving,” said Alain Visser, GM Europe Chief Marketing Officer.

GM’s ground-breaking electric propulsion technology, called Voltec, operates differently from other advanced propulsion systems. For short trips up to 60 km, the Ampera will run only on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard 230v outlet. For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by a small internal combustion engine.

The Ampera will be well-suited to the daily driving schedule of most European customers. For example, approximately 80 percent of German drivers travel less than 50 km daily.

Additional information on the Opel Ampera will be released March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show.

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