Tuesday 24th August 2010

PHQs: McLaren Design And Technical Team

Your chance to quiz McLaren techie-types about the new MP4 12C

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Everyone knows there's a new McLaren supercar on the way (if you don't you're probably on the wrong website - try here), and doubtless many of you have got burning questions to ask about it.

Well now's your chance, as the team at the McLaren Technology Centre has generously been volunteered to take part in the inaugural session of PistonHeads Questions - to be known henceforth as PHQs, and not to be confused with PMQs. (The main difference being, we hope, that with us you're far more likely to get a straight answer...)

What's that funny-looking bit for then?

McLaren has kindly offered to dish-up experts in the fields of design, aero, powertrain and chassis, and they're expecting questions about the new 12C to flood in via this very forum thread.

They're pretty much up for discussing all aspects of the car, the company and life in general, with the obvious caveat they're not about to release newsy stuff like official performance figures yet, because that would be daft with the car still some months from launch. (And anyway not fully signed-off from an engineering point of view.)

Carbonfibre? Is it really?

So if there's stuff you want to know, post your questions in the thread below and once we've got a decent sackful we'll throw it over our shoulder and totter off to McLaren's Woking HQ to find the faces to answer some or all of them.

(Tea-cake anyone?)

[dlockhart]

2 questions -

1.) Numerous sports car companies have gone bankrupt trying to produce their own engine (notably TVR). How will mclaren be a success in this sector where so many have failed.

2.) What Specific criterior were set down , inorder to beat the competition, before the project was started?

[tony993]

How many different settings are there for the traction control?

How many different settings are there to adjust the suspension (from soft to hard)?

Are these two on separate controls (so, for example, you can keep full soft suspension while ordering the TC to intervene less) or are they linked on the same control like they are on my Ferrari, which is really, really annoying?

[tony993]

Will customers be able to specify harnesses in place of ordinary 3-point seatbelts?

Will there be a track day seat option, with extra side support & harness holes, as well as the ordinary comfort seats? Will these come in different sizes so everyone can have a seat that fits?

[10 Pence Short]

Have you sent a brochure for the new model to a Mr. Fernando Alonso with a hadwritten note saying "Your company car is st"?

[8400rpm]

How much of an aero compromise is there, in terms of high end speed and handling?

For example, in order to hit headline grabbing figures and make a car slippery for high speed (say 150mph+), how much of a disadvantage does this place on lower speed handling?

In addition, if high end speed wasn't necessary, how much better could lower speed handling be by way of aero?

Regards

[LoftyD]

1) When will journalists be able to publish their first drive reports?
2) Have there been any particularly clever designs incorporated to assist with traction when deploying full power?

[dvance]

1) When designing the aerodynamic performance of the car, do you consider a characteristic curve of something like downforce vs. speed? If yes, would you be willing to release that to the public after the car goes on sale?

2) How long before mass production cars will be able to have dynamically controlled aerodynamic elements that would be able to adjust downforce based on a host of parameters in order to optimize safety (for example, or more importantly performance)?

[SeeFive]

How many cup holders does it have?

Is there a towbar option?

[10 Pence Short]

How does it compare to an Orion/Montego?

[barrettabolt]

1. You've stated that every component on the new car is purposed designed by Mclaren. I know you have designed your own AC, does this extend to literally every system on the car - window mechanisms, motors, wipers etc?

2. Which road car (in current or recent production, no Mclarens allowed) do you most admire and why?

[Karl M3 CS]

When will you be announcing the REAL name of the car, I'm sure everyone agrees that MP4 - 12C is quite techno and nerdy but I cannot think a a worse name for a Supercar.

Edited by Karl M3 CS on Monday 23 August 19:04

[[AJ]]

1. How much is it going to cost me? I still haven't been told.

2. I have heard that the engine has some rather exciting new technologies, but details have been rather limited so far. What have you been able to do with the engine that will set it apart from the competition?

3. Will it have full iPhone / iPod connectivity and charging facilities?

[the-photographer]

What electronics mechanims will there be installed to prevent over exuberant throttle postitions in wet or poor grip situations?

[MagicalTrevor]

Will I be able to remap it like I can my 335D?

[Black S2K]

Why are the front control arms in the exploded picture the wrong way round? An answer to the NSX's compliance pivot?

[JHS]

it was tvrs fault for going bankrupt it was the russian dhead of a manager

[TomJackUK]

Which car(s) do you see as direct competition to the new MP4 12C, and how do you see your volume sales comparing to these? What features of the MP4 12C give you the market edge?

[GFWilliams]

Can I photograph one? Please

[Storm1984]

IIRC the "12" part of the name relates to an internal McLaren performance rating system. How does the this car's competitors rate on this system? Cars such as the 911 Turbo, 456 Italia, Gallardo etc.

[V8Dom]

I understand you have an electrical problem with the engine.

Are you going to redesign it or get Rolls Royce to replace your design?