McLaren 12C reportedly axed, tech upgrade offered

McLaren MP4-12C 19

That was quick – barely a month after McLaren made it very clear that its 12C was to soldier on alongside the new 650S, reports are now coming in that the junior supercar will be axed after all. Production of the McLaren 12C was suspended shortly after the 650S was announced – the company insisted that it was temporary, but the car now seems to be dead for good.

In a letter purportedly sent out to owners, McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt said that the demand for the 650S was so great (there is a six-month waiting list already) that the company has decided to cease production of the 12C and dedicate all of its factory’s capacity to the new model.

The announcement comes as no surprise – the nearly £30,000 (RM163,000) increase in price of the 650S may initially seem a little steep, but so many of the expensive options of the 12C (including the carbon ceramic brakes and full Alcantara interior) have now been made standard that together with the hardware upgrades and increased performance the new car is now arguably a bargain.

Never one to leave current owners in the lurch with what is now an outdated supercar, however, the company has extended a helping hand in the form of a Technology Upgrade, which brings some (not all, so don’t get too cheeky with your local McLaren dealer) of the 650S’ features to the 12C.

211/ , EUROPA; SCHWEIZ, GENF, Datum: 05.03.2014 12:00:00: 84 INTERNATIONALER AUTO SALON in Genf 2014 84e Salon International de l'Auto et accessoires, PALEXPO - Stefan Baldauf / SB-Medien

One of the changes concerns the rear spoiler, which will now move up whenever the car senses extra downforce is needed, rather than simply flipping up as an air brake or rising manually in “Aero” mode. The update also includes a Drag Reduction System (DRS) mode which will drop the spoiler when accelerating in a straight line.

Also included are updates to the Android-based IRIS infotainment system, as well as controls to lower the side windows externally to aid entry in confined spaces. And the best part? It’s all for free. In addition, the company is offering two new features from the 650S – a rear-view camera as well as DAB digital radio – as cost options for 12C owners.

McLaren is no stranger to this sort of goodwill, of course – in 2012, the company offered the suite of enhancements going onto the 2013 model year MP4-12Cs (including a power boost of 25 hp, sharper throttle response, faster gearshifts as well as buttons that replace the touch-sensitive system used to open the doors) to existing owners, also for free.

McLaren 12C Coupe and Spider at McLaren Kuala Lumpur

McLaren 650S Coupe and Spider at Geneva 2014

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Just 4 years after it’s launch, what a failed project from Mclaren.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 13
    • Proton le? 30 years after its launch still fail

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 18
    • flat_tire on Apr 07, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      just because it got axed doesn’t mean it was a failed project.. when proton wira stopped being produced anymore does that mean it’s a failure as well..?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • The Proton suprima launch almost a year and still cant even see one on the road and the New Toyota vios is almost everywhere of the road n neighnorhood garage. It is looks sportier, better ride, more features and more expensive than preve but the result doesnt like the 650S has better sales n order. Does it consider a fail project from Proton ??

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 11
      • Don’t exaggerate la! Where are you living that you can’t see even one Suprima on the road? I am living in East Malaysia and I have seen plenty on the roads here. Speaking of Toyota, I have only seen one of the all-new Altis on the road.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 5
        • Passerby on Apr 08, 2014 at 4:44 pm

          i am the one who backing up ABC… in fact i think maybe u r the one who exaggerate… i live in penang and so far only 1 hv seen and yet that also is a blue color test drive car… pukrimaks are destined to be a failed product…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
        • Sorry, i’m at ABC side. i live in KL(to be cleared, Bangsar and pandai dalam area) yet a bit hard to spot Suprima. out of everyday driving to work Cheras and Seri Kembangan area), i can only spot 1-2 Suprima, compare to New Vios, 3-5, New Honda City about same with Suprima, Preve about 2-3(included the Pegawai Penyiasat Polis).. most common car is inspira, saga flx, myvi, exora..

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • The look is subjective but Vios has better ride and more features than Preve????

        Hahahaha……
        Don’t know what else to say… ROTFL..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • nabill (Member) on Apr 07, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    Thats admiting defeat n saying ‘we really couldnt compete with da 458 italia n had to scramble bck to da drawing board’…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jaybond on Apr 07, 2014 at 5:16 pm

    Obviously, this is Mclaren’s answer to the Ferrari 458 Speciale, Lambo Huracan and the upcoming Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Rambo on Apr 07, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    @kcng

    12c is not exactly a failed project. 12c itself is already a great product in its category, whilst 650s is on a different level.

    The price of 12c will definitely dropped significantly (not sure whether or not this will happen in Malaysia, because I’ve been monitoring the price of 12c for 3 years, and I gotta say that Malaysia’s local dealers will try to keep the price as fooking high as possible for as fooking long as they fooking can.)

    *For people who have not realise this yet, any new Mclaren you buy in Malaysia costs 3 times more than the original price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • roti canai (Member) on Apr 07, 2014 at 5:25 pm

    well, its better to axe the model than introduce countless of ridiculous special editions which drive the values of the “tesco value” versions of the car down like mad

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Guan Yin Maa on Apr 07, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    Extremely good business decision. Good move. This is what proton dream of , having extremely good sales with almost 6 mth – 1 yr of waiting list. With the price tag of 200k pound , still , extremely high demand. Well. Dont need to say BN TAX VERY HIGH , thats why we cannot afford. even without single cent of tax, I doubt you can afford it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • thebugbud on Apr 07, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    car companies already exist for quite awhile before being established with one exception, tesla. In less than 10 years, they have innovated and manufactured world class product.

    Proton……… with all the assistance and invisible hand… still below water.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 6
 

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