McLaren GT, the new race car manufacturing arm of the McLaren Group, is presenting a dramatic track-focused concept at the Pebble Beach Concours, the 12C Can-Am Edition. The one-off design study is finished in historic McLaren Orange and satin black, and is the debut appearance of a 12C racing variant outside Europe.

The 12C Can-Am Edition is finished in striking shade of McLaren Orange, in tribute to cars of Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme which were extremely successful throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The bold hue is in dramatic contrast to the roof, door and bumper sections, finished in satin black, while carbon fibre also features on the side radiator vanes, wing mirrors and engine cover. The McLaren badges on the front and rear are also finished in carbon fibre. Beneath the surface, the 12C Can-Am Edition shares the same carbon fibre MonoCell chassis as the 12C road car.

Being purely a concept at this stage, and designed as the 'ultimate track car', the 12C Can-Am Edition is not subject to the regular racing regulations, despite being based on the 12C GT3 race car. The revised version of the familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine features a unique engine calibration and optimised cooling system, which allows a power output of up to 630hp, making it the most powerful 12C derivative ever shown. The overall dry weight is just 1,200kg (2645.5lbs).

The unique aerodynamics of the 12C Can-Am Edition, as with the 12C GT3 race car, have been honed by McLaren Racing using Formula 1 technology and simulation to optimise downforce. This unique package offers an increase in downforce of 30 per cent.

The optimised aerodynamic package includes a carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre dive planes, and a carbon fibre wing which dominates the rear of the car. The wing is held in place by polished aluminium mounts. An imposing carbon fibre diffuser helps to further maximise the aerodynamic package, fitted beneath the two-tone rear bumper.

The extra power output of the 12C Can-Am Edition is kept in check with a braking system developed by Akebono. The highly efficient braking system sits behind a set of black satin-finished forged lightweight racing alloy wheels, shod with Pirelli racing slick tyres which complete the exterior revisions.

Inside the cockpit, the 12C Can-Am Edition is race ready as well. Two black race seats, complete with full six-point harnesses are mounted within the cabin, while a full race-specification rollcage has also been fitted. The steering wheel is carried over from the 12C GT3, with the shape and grip derived from that of Lewis Hamilton's MP4-24 Formula 1 car, while carbon fibre detailing also continues throughout the cabin, across the dashboard and sill panels. An integrated air conditioning system, mandatory now in a growing number of race series, is also present.



General specifications
Country of origin Great Britain
Numbers built N/A (Prototype)
Produced in 2012

Engine
Configuration M383T 90º V8
Location Mid, longitudinally mounted
Construction aluminium block and head
Displacement 3.799 liter / 231.8 cu in
Bore / Stroke 93.0 mm (3.7 in) / 69.9 mm (2.8 in)
Compression 8.7:1
Valvetrain 4 valves / cylinder, DOHC, Dual VVT
Fuel feed Fuel Injection
Aspiration Twin Turbo
Power 630 bhp / 470 KW
BHP/Liter 166 bhp / liter

Drivetrain
Chassis carbon fibre MonoCell with aluminium front and rear subframes
Rear suspension double wishbones with ProActive Chassis Control
Steering double wishbones with ProActive Chassis Control
Brakes ventilated discs, all-round, ABS
Gearbox SSG 7 speed Semi-Automatic
Drive Rear wheel drive

Dimensions
Weight 1200 kilo / 2645.5 lbs

Performance figures
Power to weight 0.53 bhp / kg

Gotta love that McLaren in the original Papaya Orange that Bruce and Company ran in the Can Am from '67 to '72. They also used that on their F1 cars until sponsors came aboard. That color looks so right on that car.

beautiful

And it comes with air conditioning!

Flawless.

McLaren knows what they are doing when it comes to race cars and super cars I actually just watched this McLaren Document earlier today and thought it was very cool and interesting

(Warning its 59min long )


Thanks,
Dallin

steering wheel!!!!!
need pilots license on this one.

Sums it up. Fit and finish is amazing for a race car.

Check it,a good review of the street car.

Ams is also doing an alpha edition for maclaren. It will be a factory option , limited production.

Now that is one fine automobile!!

this car is beautiful. I need dis!

As opposed to a fairly well known aftermarket wing mirror that looks like a cone, these mirrors actually have a wing, I wonder if these kinds of mirrors (i.e. the ones on this McLaren) are more aerodynamically functional?

I just saw this, it gave me the lolz.