The McLaren MP4-12C is a high performance sports car that was produced by British automaker McLaren Automotive between 2011 and 2014. Under the hood, the MP4-12C featured a unique collaboration between McLaren and Japanese automaker Nissan.
The two automakers formed a strategic partnership in 1992, with Nissan taking a stake in McLaren. This partnership gave McLaren access to Nissan’s engineering resources and expertise. While McLaren handled the design and assembly of the MP4-12C, Nissan supplied many critical components for the car.
This included parts like cooling pipes, spark plugs, and ignition coils from Nissan vehicles. Using proven, mass-produced components allowed McLaren to reduce development costs and accelerate the MP4-12C’s time to market. At the same time, McLaren modified and adapted these parts to meet the MP4-12C’s performance requirements.
The collaboration exemplified the best of British and Japanese engineering. McLaren brought innovation and design flair, while Nissan provided manufacturing muscle and reliability. Together, they produced a groundbreaking supercar in the MP4-12C.
McLaren MP4-12C Overview
The McLaren MP4-12C is a high-performance sports car that was produced by McLaren Automotive between 2011 and 2014. Key specifications of the MP4-12C include:
- Release year: 2011
- Engine: 3.8L twin-turbo V8
- Power output: 616 hp
- 0-60 mph: 3.1 seconds
- Top speed: 207 mph
- Base price: $240,000
The MP4-12C debuted as McLaren’s first production road car since the iconic McLaren F1. It featured a lightweight carbon fiber chassis and mid-engine layout. The “12C” name refers to the model’s internal project codename, which was C12. Overall, the MP4-12C demonstrated McLaren’s racing heritage and expertise in building high-performance supercars.
Cooling System
The McLaren MP4-12C has a complex cooling system designed to maintain optimal operating temperatures across the engine, gearbox, electronic control units (ECUs), and battery.
A key component of the cooling system are cooling pipes sourced from Nissan. These high-quality hoses circulate coolant throughout the engine and drivetrain to prevent overheating during aggressive driving.
The main coolant hoses connect the engine to the radiators in the nose of the car. Additional hoses are routed along the drivetrain tunnel to cool the transmission and ECUs located near the cabin. All of these pipes are produced by Nissan to meet McLaren’s demanding specifications.
The radiators themselves are also high-performance parts shared with Nissan GT-R models. These aluminum radiators have an efficient core design to maximize cooling capacity within the confined space under the hood.
Overall, the use of proven Nissan cooling components is vital for allowing the MP4-12C’s powerful 3.8L twin-turbo V8 to perform reliably even under extreme conditions on the racetrack. The Nissan parts integrate seamlessly into McLaren’s bespoke cooling system.
Ignition System
The ignition system in the McLaren MP4-12C is one of the areas where Nissan components were utilized. The MP4-12C uses the same ignition coil packs that are found in certain Nissan models.
Specifically, the MP4-12C uses six Nissan coil packs which are mounted directly on top of the spark plugs. This coil-on-plug design eliminates the need for spark plug wires. The coil packs are designed to provide a strong, consistent spark which is needed for the high performance nature of the MP4-12C.
The direct ignition coils transform the low voltage from the battery to the very high voltage needed to jump the spark plug gap and ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine. The MP4-12C utilizes the Nissan coils due to their proven durability and performance capabilities. They deliver reliable ignition spark through the wide operating range of the engine.
Overall, the ignition system of the MP4-12C showcases the sharing of components between automakers. By utilizing the Nissan direct ignition coils, the MP4-12C gets dependable performance in a cost-effective manner. The coil packs deliver robust spark to match the demands of this exotic sports car.
Spark Plugs
The McLaren MP4-12C uses spark plugs sourced from Nissan for its ignition system. The MP4-12C is fitted with premium iridium spark plugs that provide improved durability and performance over standard copper spark plugs.
Specifically, the MP4-12C uses the NGK Laser Iridium spark plugs. These have a 0.6 mm fine wire iridium center electrode which ensures high durability and a more focused ignition spark. The tapered ground electrode further concentrates the spark energy and improves ignitability.
The iridium alloy used in the center electrode is extremely hard and resistant to electrical erosion. This allows the fine wire electrode to be smaller for a more precise ignition spark, while retaining exceptional wear properties.
Using NGK’s OEM spark plugs as specified by McLaren will ensure optimal ignition performance in the MP4-12C’s high revving V8 engine. While aftermarket plugs may be cheaper, they may not replicate the firing characteristics necessary for the bespoke McLaren powerplant.
Common Issues
The McLaren MP4-12C is generally a reliable sports car, but a few common issues have been reported by owners over the years.
Cooling System Leaks
One of the most common problems on the MP4-12C is coolant leaks from the cooling system. The cooling system is under high pressure in these cars, and the plastic end tanks on the radiators can be prone to cracking over time. This allows coolant to leak out, which can lead to overheating.
Replacing the radiator end tanks and hoses is the proper repair for this issue. McLaren has updated parts available to address this problem. The cooling system should then be thoroughly flushed to get all old coolant out of the system before refilling with fresh coolant. Properly bleeding the cooling system of air is also critical.
Faulty Ignition Coils
Another common problem on the MP4-12C is failure of the ignition coils. These provide the high voltage to the spark plugs to create the spark for combustion. When the ignition coils start to fail, it causes misfires, poor running, lack of power, and check engine lights.
Each cylinder has its own individual ignition coil on these cars. So when one fails, that particular cylinder misfires. Replacing the faulty ignition coil will resolve the problem. Using only OEM ignition coils from McLaren is recommended, not cheap aftermarket replacements.
Proper maintenance like regular oil changes, not exceeding oil change intervals, and using the correct weight/quality of oil can help the ignition system last longer. But the coils do seem prone to failure regardless.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial for the McLaren MP4-12C to ensure optimal performance and help avoid issues. As a high-performance sports car, the MP4-12C has tightly engineered components that need proper care and servicing at recommended intervals.
Skipping routine maintenance or procrastinating on repairs can lead to much more expensive issues down the road. Problems that may have been simple fixes can turn into major repairs involving entire system replacements.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual. This includes tasks like:
- Oil changes
- Air filter replacement
- Coolant flush
- Transmission fluid changes
- Brake fluid flush
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Tyre rotation
Proper maintenance protects your investment, prevents headaches, and helps retain the McLaren’s performance and value over the long run. Don’t neglect this critical aspect of MP4-12C ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common issues with the McLaren MP4-12C?
The McLaren MP4-12C is generally considered a reliable supercar. However, some documented issues include:
- Sensor failures: Oxygen sensors, temperature sensors, and pressure sensors can fail prematurely and cause check engine lights or performance issues.
- Oil leaks: The engine and transmission can develop oil leaks over time. Proper maintenance and using high quality fluids can help prevent leaks.
- Electrical gremlins: Like many complex vehicles, the MP4-12C can suffer electrical issues due to faulty wiring or control modules. This may cause warning lights or component failures.
How much does it cost to maintain a McLaren MP4-12C?
Regular maintenance costs on a McLaren MP4-12C are higher than a typical sports car but on par for the supercar segment. Budget approximately:
- Oil changes: AED 1500 every 10,000 kms
- Tire replacement: AED 12,000 per set installed every 20,000-30,000 kms
- Brake pad replacement: AED 4000 every 40,000 kms
- Clutch replacement: AED 20,000 every 60,000 kms
Major 60,000 and 100,000 kms services can cost AED 20,000+ at a dealership. Independent mechanics like MySyara charge less for the same quality of work.
How does the reliability and cost of ownership compare to other supercars?
The McLaren MP4-12C is comparable to competitors like the Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8, and Porsche 911 Turbo in terms of reliability and cost of ownership. Key factors include:
- Requires less regular maintenance than some competitors. More reliable than exotic brands like Ferrari or Aston Martin.
- Parts and labor are very expensive given the complexity and low production numbers.
- Engine and drivetrain are fairly robust if properly maintained. Less prone to catastrophic failure than some rivals.
- Retains value well compared to other supercars. Less depreciation can offset some ownership costs over time.
