Showrooms to Open in November, Selling the McLaren MP4-12C

The two companies that have signed official import agreements with McLaren Automotive are MT International in Tokyo and Hakko Car Group in Osaka. Both companies are expected to open their showrooms around November and begin selling the McLaren MP4-12C.

McLaren first entered the premium sports car market in 1992 with the McLaren F1. In 2003, they collaborated with Mercedes to launch the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which gained considerable popularity. Now, the McLaren MP4-12C, announced for release this year, is a two-seater mid-engine supercar that embodies racing car technology honed through F1 Grand Prix racing.

The engine is McLaren's independently developed M838T, a 3.8-liter V8 twin-turbo direct-injection unit. The body utilizes a one-piece carbon fiber monocoque structure called a 'carbon cell,' resulting in an exceptionally light weight of 1,300 kg. It delivers a maximum output of 600 ps and peak torque of 61.1 kgm. Performance figures are astonishing, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3 seconds and a top speed exceeding 322 km/h.

Even before its release, the car has garnered significant international interest, with orders already reaching 1,700 units, far exceeding the planned production of 1,000 units for the first year. Furthermore, plans are in place to expand the lineup of two-seater mid-engine sports cars over the next few years, which is exciting to anticipate.

The McLaren MP4-12C, a supercar rivaling F1 machines, is set to arrive in Japan. With official dealerships now confirmed, the emergence of this new premium sports car is eagerly awaited.