McLaren axes MP4-12C supercar

McLaren recently bolstered its range with the new 650S, but its arrival has sounded the death knell for the MP4-12C from which it is derived.

The Woking manufacturer has confirmed that production of the 12C is being halted as the company’s focus is now set on satisfying a six-month order bank for the 650S, which made its world debut at last month’s Geneva motor show.

However, there is some good news for existing 12C owners as McLaren says many of the tech developments pioneered by the 650S will be made available to them for their vehicles. As such, they can retrofit (at no cost) new Active Aero software, as well as upgrades to the 12C’s Android-based infotainment system.

In addition to the free upgrade, two new options that will now be available for 12C owners to purchase are a reversing camera and a DAB radio.

It could be argued that the 12C has done its job, notching up around 3500 sales since its 2011 launch, but the decision to axe it still comes as a surprise, as the message from McLaren when the 650S was launched seemed to be that it was bridging model between the 12C and the sold-out P1 flagship.

The answer to this is likely provided by the fact the 650S’s starting price of $441,500 isn’t that much dearer than the cost of a 12C, especially when you take into the account the extra kit that it comes with – most notably the carbon brakes.

Eliminating the 12C from the McLaren line-up also creates more space for the upcoming new entry-level model – known for now as the P13 – to occupy when it launches at the end of 2015.

The 650S combines elements of the 12C with some from the new P1 hypercar. Propelled by McLaren’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, the 650S kicks out 478kW and 678Nm, enabling it to bolt to 100km/h in 3.0 seconds flat. It has a v-max of an eye-watering 333km/h.