A (currently) one-off McLaren MP4-12C – the McLaren 12C Can-Am – is heading for Pebble Beach, previewing a track-day MP4-12C.
Developed without the constraints of a racing series, the 12C Can-Am is based on the GT3 car and adds a new aerodynamic package – which improves downforce by 30 per cent – with a carbon fibre splitter with little winglets atop, a huge rear tray of a spoiler and a carbon fibre diffuser.
McLaren has had yet another fiddle with the 12C’s ECU (they recently upgraded the power output of the MP4-12C) and have managed to squeeze 621bhp out of the 12C’s 3.8 litre V8 which, coupled with a weight drop to 1200kg, should make for fierce performance.
To make sure the 12C Can-Am can stop, McLaren has fitted an uprated braking system from Akebono which hides behind a set of black satin finished lightweight racing alloys shod with Pirelli racing slicks.
The cabin is race-basic with a steering wheel designed to make you thin you’re Lewis Hamilton and you sit in black race chairs with a full six-point harness. There’s also a full race-spec rollcage and lots of carbon fibre detailing plus AirCon to keep you cool under pressure.
McLaren are obviously aiming for the lucrative – and high-profile – US track-day market with the 12C Can-Am, so if it’s well received at Pebble we should see limited production in 2013.
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