Published: Jul 04, 2012

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Endurance Racer Reviewed on the Track

The GT3 racer is a totally different animal to the road car. Check out this review to see why.

For almost half a century, McLaren has built the world's fastest and most successful racing cars. The MP4-12C GT3 is their latest offering to the world of motorsports. Differences from the road car are extensive; in fact the carbon monocell is about the only thing they have in common. Special features include a vent in the hood, a front radiator, different brakes and doors, brake cooling ducts, a big diffuser and extra cooling for the gearbox.

It's also 50mm wider each side, considerably lower, and boasts a front splitter, and rear wing. These are the most obvious visual differences, but scratch the surface and there's a host of other unique features ranging from a different suspension set up to a new, lighter repositioned gearbox.

Inside there's no interior to speak of save for a F1 steering wheel and one seat, which is where Autocar's Andrew Frankel finds himself after a little tour of the race car. The MP4-12C GT3 has had a phenomenally successful debut season, and McLaren has already sold 25 units, with another 20 scheduled for production. Each is priced at £325,000.