McLaren. The name alone evokes memories both of the popular Formula 1 racing team and one of the rarest, most expensive supercars ever built. This niche manufacturer's latest creation, the MP4-12C, will likely inspire the same enthusiasm as the million-dollar McLaren F1 did throughout the 1990s. Yet the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is a departure from those previous blank-check endeavors; it's meant to be an "affordable" exotic, one that sets you back just $230,000.
For the money, wealthy driving enthusiasts will enjoy a truly superb sports car. A 3.8-liter V8 with an exceptional amount of twin-turbo boost howls with 592 horsepower, while a dual-clutch, seven-speed automated manual transmission provides blindingly fast, nearly seamless shifts. Lightweight construction, a midengine layout and an advanced suspension design that trades stabilizer bars for specialized dampers make the MP4-12C an exceptional handling machine.
The McLaren's styling doesn't flash like some might expect of an exotic. Instead, it's a purposeful and uncluttered execution that lets the package's dynamic performance do the talking. Even so, the dihedral hinged doors that pivot upwards from the A-pillar give this car a unique look.
Within the price category of $250,000 exotics (!), the MP4-12C faces heady competition from the 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia, 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo and 2012 Porsche 911 GT2 RS. With company like this, it's impossible to pick a loser, let alone suggest a winner. It's safe to say, however, that the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C will be an object of automotive lust for quite some time.