manufacturer was unveiled at a special event for VIPs and media at the prestigious Royal
Bahrain Golf Club, ahead of being shown in key markets across the GCC.
The innovative 12C marks the beginning of a new era in core-segment sports cars. This two-
seat, mid-engine model features a revolutionary one-piece, carbon-fibre chassis structure, the
carbon MonoCell. It is the first time a car has featured a one-piece, carbon-fibre structure; a
strong and lightweight engineering solution that comes straight from the world of motorsport.
The 12C introduces new standards not just in handling, ride and outright performance, but
also safety, economy and practicality in an already competitive sector. The 12C is equipped
with a bespoke McLaren 3.8-litre, V8 twin-turbo engine producing around 600 bhp, and driven
through a unique McLaren seven-speed, Seamless Shift, dual-clutch gearbox (SSG). Yet
when it comes to CO2 emissions per horsepower, the MP4-12C is even more efficient than a
hybrid car.
At the unveiling of the company’s debut model, McLaren Automotive’s managing director,
Antony Sheriff, said: “The design office where the 12C was created is only 30 metres away
from the Formula 1 office; we have used many of the tools, techniques and simulation
programs that the McLaren Formula 1 team use. This gives us a special edge.”
McLaren Automotive is in the middle of a world tour that will see the 12C visiting the Middle
East, Asia, Europe and North America. Following Bahrain, the new model will continue its
Middle East tour by visiting the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Ghassan A.H. Al Sulaiman trading Est. (Al Ghassan Motors) has been chosen to represent
McLaren Automotive in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, while Dana Motors, Al Habtoor Motors and
Ali Alghanim and Sons Automotive will represent the company in Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait
respectively. The retailers have been chosen for their extensive experience, unique heritage
and reputation for excellence in customer service in the region’s luxury car market.
Ian Gorsuch, McLaren Automotive’s regional director for the Middle East, Africa and
Asia Pacific, said: “With the passion and knowledge that car buyers here have for high-
performance sports cars, the region is a key market for us. Having launched the 12C in
McLaren’s regional home in Bahrain, we are now looking forward to touring our retail
partners around the GCC, allowing people to get a closer look at the car as well as a greater
understanding of the remarkable engineering that has gone into its production.”
The Middle East dealers are part of a network that consists of 35 retail outlets worldwide. The
12C will go on sale in the region from summer 2011. As well as a sales centre, all dealers will
host fully equipped service centres with technicians who have received full technical training
at McLaren’s headquarters in the UK.
The 12C has received global interest with over 3,000 expressions of interest registered on
www.mclarenautomotive.com with much interest from Middle East car enthusiasts.
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