The McLaren 12C GT Sprint will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend. The 12C GT Sprint is the second track-only version of the 12C supercar that McLaren has produced, follwoing the 12C GT Can-Am Edition.
Just 30 examples of the Can-Am Edition were produced, and the GT Sprint will follow-up with limited production of just 20 units per year.
Developed by the same team of engineers responsible for the 12C GT3 racing cars, the GT Sprint has been designed to bridge the divide between the road-going production supercar and its uncompromising GT3 counterpart.
With this balance in mind, McLaren has focussed its efforts on the car’s handling and aerodynamics. This means the compact 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 remains unchanged from that of the production car, so it still produces 460 kW and 600 Nm of torque, however, the engine benefits from the cooling system of the GT3 racer, as well as the same specification engine oil.
The 7-speed Seemless Shift Transmission (SST) has also been retained from the production car, which directs power to the rear-wheels, where the 19-inch OZ wheels and Pirelli racing slicks connect the car to the road.
In terms of chassis, the 12C’s ProActive Chassis Control system has been reconfigured to suit the car’s 40 mm lower ride height and additional grip generated by the lick tyres. The McLaren engineers have also revised the steering to match the stiffer chassis, but the driver can still choose between various presets for the traction, damping and steering responses.
Aerodynamic and weight saving measures include a new front bumper, vented bonnet and enormous rear wing, while carbon ceramic brakes and a polycarbonate windscreen help reduce weight. The centre-locking OZ wheels are lightweight items too and can be easily changed thanks to an on-board air jack system.
Inside, the dashboard has been replaced by a entirely new carbon fibre item that incorporates a digital instrument cluster. Many of the production car’s luxuries have been removed or replaced with racing specification items, specifically, a racing seat, race harness, a roll cage, and a lightweight air conditioning system.
As mentioned, the 12C Sprint is not road legal as a result of these changes. It would, however, make for a serious club racer or trackday weapon for the affluent enthusiast, with a price of £200 000 or no less than R3.2 million at today’s exchange rate.
