McLaren MP4-27 unveiled

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has revealed the MP4-27, its contender for the 2012 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

McLaren MP4-27 2012 Front

Although very much an evolution of last year’s car, McLaren is saying that actually very little has been carried over from the MP4-26 unchanged.

Visually, the most obvious differences are the revised side pods and narrower rear bodywork. However, one feature that hasn’t appeared is a stepped nose section like that of the Caterham CT01, the only other 2012 Formula 1 car so far unveiled.

McLaren MP4-27 2012 Front SideMcLaren MP4-27 2012 Side

Speaking about the forthcoming season, Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “The 2012 season will be an important one for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: having finished second in the constructors’ championship for the past two seasons, we’re determined to mount a sustained, hard challenge for both world titles.

“For 2012, we are well aware that Red Bull remains a very powerful and capable operation, and that both Ferrari and Mercedes AMG are ramping up their operational capacity. We have no room to be complacent - what you see today only scratches the surface of what we’re planning to deliver to the track both from an engineering and operational point of view throughout 2012.”

McLaren has released some technical details for the MP4-27, but unfortunately - for obvious reasons - these don’t include any power or performance stats.

McLaren MP4-27 - Technical Specifications
Engine
Type Mercedes-Benz FO 108Z
Capacity 2.4 litres
Cylinders 8
Bank angle 90°
Number of valves 32
Maximum rpm 18,000
Piston bore maximum 98 mm
Fuel ExxonMobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
Spark plugs NGK racing spark plugs
Lubricants Mobil 1
Weight 95 kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)
KERS Hybrid
Type Mercedes-Benz
e-Motor Engine-mounted electrical motor/generator
ESS Integrated energy storage cells and power electronics
Power 60 kW
Transmission
Gearbox McLaren-moulded carbon fibre composite integral rear impact structure
Gears Seven forward and one reverse
Gear selection McLaren seamless shift, hand-operated
Clutch Carbon / carbon, hand-operated
Chassis
Monocoque McLaren-moulded carbon fibre composite incorporating front and side impact structures
Front suspension Inboard torsion bar / damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Rear suspension Inboard torsion bar / damper system operated by pullrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Electronics McLaren Electronic Systems, including chassis control, engine control, data acquisition, dashboard, alternator, sensors, data analysis and telemetry
Bodywork Carbon fibre composite; separate engine cover, sidepods and floor; structural nose with integral front wing; driver-operated drag reduction system
Tyres Pirelli P Zero
Radio Kenwood
Race wheels Enkei
Brake callipers Akebono
Master cylinders Akebono
Batteries GS Yuasa Corporation
Steering McLaren power-assisted
Instruments McLaren Electronic Systems

Related post:
2012 Formula 1 calendar

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more