The McLaren MP4 is a sports car designed and built by McLaren Automotive. It was the first car ever produced that was entirely designed and built by McLaren. This is their first road car since the McLaren F1, which was displayed in 1998. This design was unveiled in September 2009 and dedicated in 2011.

The ‘MP4′ stands for McLaren Project 4 (formerly known as Marlboro Project 4), the result of Ron Dennis’ Project 4 organization joining forces with McLaren. This vehicle combines an excellent rate of power, weight, emissions, and aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in an amazing overall performance index that has been used as a standard throughout its lifespan.

FEATURES

Graziano’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission Seamless-Shift gearbox (SSG) is typically used to send power to the wheels. This McLaren model employs high-sourced technologies such as “brake steer,” in which the inside rear wheel brakes when fast cornering is required to reduce understeer. This is also the first time McLaren has designed and manufactured an entire drivetrain in-house.

The McLaren MP4 0-60 suspends the vehicle using a unique hydraulic format rather than more conventional coil springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars. This McLaren model also has a system known as “ProActive Chassis Control,” which consists of a collection of high and low-pressure valves interconnected from left – right and front to back, and the standard anti-roll bars were completely removed.

When high pressure meets high pressure during rolling, the result is stiffness. When high pressure meets low pressure during heave and warp, more give is allowed. This makes for a tougher, more capable suspension setup during hard driving. And a very soft, relaxing, and comfortable ride at slower or normal speed rates.

For example, brake steering is a technology we pioneered on our Formula One car in 1997. It aids in reducing understeer when entering a corner and improving traction on the way out. Another useful feature is the Pre-Cog function on the gearshift rocker, which effectively primes the gearbox for the next gear change, resulting in a more satisfying and faster gear change. This high-performance sports car is built on race car genes and teamwork.”

INTERIOR

The 2010 McLaren car featured the traditional two side-by-side seating arrangement, as opposed to its predecessor, the F1, which featured a three-seat arrangement (front center, two behind at both sides). To emphasize its seating style, the car’s central console is slimmer than other cars, bringing the driver closer to the center of the vehicle. Also, its Interior trim materials come with a specified asymmetric configuration known as a “Driver Zone.” The use of carbon fiber technology for the trims of this McLaren sports car is also highlighted.

With their single hinge, the dihedral doors also offer weight-saving features unique to the McLaren brand. Furthermore, the vehicle’s door can be moved forward and upwards, allowing the driver to step across the sill and sit in the car easily. The dihedral doors allow access and egress when another vehicle is parked too close.

EXTERIOR

The exterior design of the 2010 MP4 shares themes with McLaren’s Formula One car in the form of lines, surfaces, and details designed with extreme precision and standard materials. This ensures that the vehicle’s engineering is expressed through its styling and will be timeless as a piece of automotive design.

The body is designed to support industry-leading levels of downforce, contributing to industry-leading lateral grip and stability levels. The airflow has also been mechanically utilized to support all performance figures and lightweight targets. The radiators adjacent to the engine keep the car narrow and reduce weight. The integrated turning vanes and the air scoops at the large side are also eye-catching and purely functional.

The rear of the 2010 McLaren is unique. With its downforce-optimized rear diffuser, it has an assertive, business-like appearance. The engine can be seen through the top deck. The exhaust pipes are found high and in the center of the car, and the rear end is left open to ensure that hot air from the engine bay is successfully removed. The LED tail light clusters are hidden behind horizontal black bars and do not dominate the rear.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE

The M838T 3.8 L; 231.8 twin-turbo V8 engine, developed and designed by McLaren, Ilmor, and Ricardo, powers the car. The engine design is based on Tom Walkinshaw’s racing engine, which he designed and developed. However, aside from the 93 mm (3.66 in) bore, little of that engine is present in the M838T. At 7,500 rpm, this engine produces 600 PS (592 bhp; 441 kW) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque.

It has an unrivaled redline of 8,500 rpm and 80% torque at just 2,000 rpm. It also has a higher horsepower to carbon dioxide emission ratio than any internal-combustion engine currently available. Its gearbox includes a “Pre-Cog,” which enables the driver to preselect the next gear with a light tap on the paddle.

McLaren has declared the vehicle’s top speed to be 207 mph (333 km/hr), with the MP4-12C Spider reaching 346.6 km/h (215 mph), which is 3 mph “slower” than the coupe. The coupe has a top speed of 218.61 mph (352 km/h) and can come to a complete stop from 200 km/h (124 mph) in less than 5 seconds.

PROS

• The McLaren 2010 seats are comfortable and wide enough for over 90 percent of drivers.
• It has a sizable luggage space to accommodate medium-size roller bags and small soft carry-ons.
• It has an unusual underlying lightweight.
• The Brakes are forged with aluminum hubs weighing less than the optional carbon ceramic brakes.
• It has a lightweight exhaust pipe at the car’s rear, which minimizes its length and weight.
• It has Airflow-assisted Airbrake deployment that helps to reduce the weight of the Airbrake activation system.

CONS

• Some customers might find it lacking in drama and effect compared to its competitors
• The three shrieking exhaust pipes and fussy Manettino driving-mode switch make this vehicle quite noisy.
• It’s not too up to par with the navigation system.

PRICING

A brand-new 2010 McLaren Mp4 costs around £168,500, which is still a lot of money but £1,000 less than most of its competitors.

CONCLUSION

This 2010 McLaren MP4’s parts are all custom-made and one-of-a-kind. Everything, from the engine to the custom switches and buttons, is pure McLaren.

This sports car is all about performance, and they focused not only on traditional parameters like top speed but also on usable measures like in-gear acceleration times, braking performance in all conditions, handling, comfort, driver involvement, day-to-day usability, power delivery efficiency combined with the lowest possible fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

This vehicle is not only fast, but it is also the world’s most efficient and drivable high-performance sports car.

Many sports cars have an ‘in-your-face’ image that can become inelegant and boring over time. Still, this McLaren model has a timeless design that looks relevant even after years of use.