McLaren - 50 years of success

Text: Irina Ivanova

IN HONOR OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY, MCLAREN ISSUED TWO SPECIALS OF THE POPULAR NOW 12C COUPE AND SPIDER. THE SPECIALISTS OF THE DIVISION OF MCLAREN SPECIAL OPERATIONS (MSO) HAVE BEEN UPDATED. TO TEST NEWS THE MOST DESPAIRED RACE DRIVER OF THE "RUSSIAN EMIRATES" SENT.

The end is only the beginning

For its 50th anniversary, McLaren has produced a soulful short film about the success stories of McLaren. But not as one would expect from a supercar manufacturer. The tape contains neither bragging, nor bragging about achievements in motorsport. It meticulously and very sincerely reflects the history of the brand. And as the main and very bright accent, the memory of the XX century legend is used - a young and promising New Zealand racer Bruce Maclaren, who died tragically in 1970 during the tests of the prototype M8D for Can-Am racing. Behind the scenes are his words. Rather, the words that he could say today if he commented on what was happening with his characteristic irony and charm: “On that wonderful summer day, on that race track, I left the descendants not only a big name and memory of myself. I did more. I became an inspiration for those who follow me ... "

Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Limited was officially formed fifty years ago. In 1963, the 26-year-old McLaren assembled a small group of exactly the same adventurers and enthusiasts to design their own cars in a small workshop in New Malden in Surrey. And this dream team, formed of enthusiastic engineers and raised to the shield a collective discussion of important decisions and team spirit, was destined to become one of the strongest in Formula 1.

After the death of the founder, the team stayed in Formula 1 for a decade, won 20 races, won two championships and a Cup of designers. And then the times came when the main ingredient of success was not the enthusiasm of designers, mechanics and racers, but the ability to seek the support of large automotive companies and sponsors and the sole adoption of all major decisions. Like-minded Bruce could not play according to the new rules, so part of the old guard was fired, and the rest lost control of the team to Ron Dennis, by the way, the best representative of the new generation of managers, which brought McLaren to a new height.

The revival after the crisis was in full swing, and this was the merit of Dennis, carried out, however, very tough measures. Arriving at McLaren, Ron immediately ended the old way of thinking and began to intensively introduce the principle of unified management into the team. At the end of 1982, Dennis bought out the shares of partners and left to independently manage everything. Driven by Dennis McLaren won victory after victory ...

At the beginning of 2009, at the presentation of the new car, Ron Dennis announced his resignation from the post of team leader, and Martin Whitmarsh became the new leader. Later, in April, Ron announced a new project - McLaren Automotive - the production of road supercars. So McLaren gradually became an independent automaker.

Rally in the Emirates

In the Emirates, the anniversary was celebrated with a parade in which more than 20 cars participated. Owners of macklaren drove slowly through the Dubai JBR, allowing everyone to enjoy the predatory beauty of supercars and answering questions of especially curious people. A unique rally ended at The Address Montgomerie Dubai. And then the macklaren went to the Monte-Carlo Beach Club in Abu Dhabi - to celebrate "Birthday".

Belonging to the big sport was made felt by reporters. Especially for the writing fraternity, a trip was organized on spiders from Dubai to Oman, where in the luxurious Six Senses Zighy Bay resort, selected lucky people from leading Western and Russian media spent the whole day testing the updated McLaren masterpieces for strength.

Independently manage McLaren - and even in the anniversary year - in itself is very cool! And to race on it for at least 120 km without stopping - there and back is a dream from the category of unrealizable ones! Therefore, all the men from our team of journalists immediately imagined themselves super-racers and rushed forward. Women tried to keep up. So, when I arrived at the Omani hotel, my knees trembled from tension and my fingers practically didn’t unclench, it seemed that they would forever take the form of a steering wheel!

But I did not at all claim the role of the new McLaren legend. I just tried not to tear myself away from my colleagues who took on a frantic pace, rapidly flying along smooth and defiantly winding mountain roads ...

Back, of course, I drove slowly. Enjoyed the car and the track, struggling to stretch the pleasure! I already knew all the features of the new supercar. And even tested his patience: in Dubai, I had to stand decently in traffic, catching curious looks, smiling for telephone photosets of many enthusiastic macklaren fans and listening to the displeased "roar" of the motor, frankly bored at numerous traffic lights in the city!

Summing up my unforgettable test drive, I note that this small exciting journey into the world of sports luxury and high speeds allowed me - even if only for a while! - Become part of a great McLaren professional team with its unique history and culture. And therefore with all my heart I wish my colleagues further successes and high achievements, which, as Bruce McLaren said, measure life!

Gift to fans

From the regular version, the updated McLaren 50 12C is distinguished by a front bumper and a black nameplate, made based on Formula 1 cars. In addition, the special version received new carbon-ceramic brakes with huge discs and wheels with different dimensions - 19 inches in front and 20 in the rear.

Under the hood of the McLaren MP4-12C Spider 2013 coupe, a 3.8-liter engine with two turbines is installed, 8 cylinders of which (V8) generate 625 hp. power and 600 Nm of maximum torque. Paired with the engine, there is a 7-speed automatic transmission with double clutch, which accelerates the sports car from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.1 seconds and up to 200 km / h in 9.0 seconds.

The maximum speed of the new 12C Spider is an impressive 329 km / h, which is inferior to the previous coupe version by only 3 km / h. And fuel consumption remains one of the most modest in comparison with the performance of equally powerful cars and amounts to 11.7 l / 100km (CO2 279 g / km).

With its high performance and smooth ride, the new McLaren MP4-12C Spider Convertible has kept the main suspension elements intact. Unlike its predecessor, the novelty compares favorably with the presence of electronic stability control, which slows down the wheel internal to the turn, stabilizing the directional stability.

The impressive superiority of the car is provided by ceramic brake discs, Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires and an active rear wing. Based on the situation, the active wing automatically adjusts the wing tilt, increasing or decreasing downforce during turns at high speeds. Currently, current technology is prohibited in Formula 1, because it provides the opponent with a clear advantage.

Watch the video: Bruce McLaren Video: McLaren's 50th Anniversary (March 2024).