Photo: McLaren
Only a few years ago, everybody knew McLaren as "that company that made a hypercar with a golden engine". But that all changed when in early 2011 they introduced the famous MP4-12C.
The supercar world looked at it with suspicious eyes, like something that could best the all-conquering Ferrari 458 Italia was impossible. And yet the carbon fiber supercar from Britain is very real and its selling quite well.
McLaren recently announced a third consecutive growth in sales, with more than 1,400 Super Series models being delivered during 2014.
McLaren Automotive today celebrated the build of the 5,000th model based on the carbon fiber MonoCell chassis. This includes the initial batch of 600 hp MP4-12C like the one Jay Leno bought, the Spider and later coupe models with 625 hp, followed by the 650S twins and Asia-only 625C.
And the numbers can only grow from here, since the new Sports Series entry-level model is based on the existing tub and a new McLaren 675LT has been confirmed for a global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015.
Ferrari have always refused to reveal exact 458 production models, but we think it's somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 per year.
"McLaren has come a long way in four short years. The completion of the 5,000th vehicle in the Super Series is a fantastic milestone for the brand. The 12C was, and still is, a groundbreaking supercar and, true to the values of McLaren, we have continued to develop and build on this great product into the 650S which has delighted our customers and won countless awards across the world," said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer at McLaren Automotive.
McLaren recently announced a third consecutive growth in sales, with more than 1,400 Super Series models being delivered during 2014.
McLaren Automotive today celebrated the build of the 5,000th model based on the carbon fiber MonoCell chassis. This includes the initial batch of 600 hp MP4-12C like the one Jay Leno bought, the Spider and later coupe models with 625 hp, followed by the 650S twins and Asia-only 625C.
And the numbers can only grow from here, since the new Sports Series entry-level model is based on the existing tub and a new McLaren 675LT has been confirmed for a global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015.
How does that compare to the competition?
Throughout 2014, Lamborghini has managed to sell 2,530 Gallardo supercars. This direct competitor uses a 5.2-liter V10 engine pushing 610 hp as opposed to the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 used by McLaren. But the Italians have been making cars for 51 years now.Ferrari have always refused to reveal exact 458 production models, but we think it's somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 per year.
How far McLaren has come
In 2011 when 12C production started, early models were assembled by approximately 30 employees. In March 2014, the assembly line was updated to accommodate the production requirements for the new McLaren 650S and they now have over 1,400 employees at their production center in Woking, Surrey."McLaren has come a long way in four short years. The completion of the 5,000th vehicle in the Super Series is a fantastic milestone for the brand. The 12C was, and still is, a groundbreaking supercar and, true to the values of McLaren, we have continued to develop and build on this great product into the 650S which has delighted our customers and won countless awards across the world," said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer at McLaren Automotive.
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