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GULFWEEKLY was invited to the very first Middle East test drive of the stunning new 12C Spider, the second model in McLaren’s MP4-12C family.
I knew as soon as I slipped into the driver’s seat, slid the roof back and roared away from the Ritz-Carlton I would be caught under its spell, entangled and enchanted by its web of pure driving pleasure.
There is nothing quite like steering a sports car in the open air down the highway. I took a trip up to, and around, the entrance of the Sofitel, to Bahrain International Circuit before heading back, via home in Janabiya to show the kids what daddy had got his hands on.
Last year I tested the 12C coupe around the Top Gear TV racing track, along English country roads and later in Bahrain and the subtle improvements made in that short space of time have to be warmly acknowledged.
The 12C Spider is the sibling convertible model to the high-performance, award-winning original which has been ‘tweaked’ to be more responsive and even the angel-winged doors now open with a button instead of the stroking technique which I found extremely entertaining but some owners found awkward.
Headlining the changes under the bonnet is a 25PS (25hp) power increase. It takes the maximum output of the mid-mounted, twin turbocharged V8 engine to 625PS (616hp) to give yet more vivid acceleration at track speeds with no loss in efficiency.
Modifications have been made by McLaren’s engineers to the 12C’s engine and SSG transmission increasing responsiveness. Ease of use, a phrase not often associated with cars of this type, is further improved through a host of detail changes while a wider variety of paint, leather and wheel options give customers yet more scope for personalisation.
The 12C’s unique Intake Sound Generator (ISG) system, which controls the amount of engine intake sound heard in the cabin, is now programmable across three levels in all three Powertrain modes allowing the driver to select the amount of aural drama he or she wants to enjoy, whatever the road.
With the top down that’s not an issue. It is capable of retracting its roof in less than 17 seconds at speeds of up to 30kph to make sure nothing interrupts the drive.
The Spider makes you feel like a part of the car, all senses on full alert. This is driving as it should be, fabulous and fun as you roar along in complete comfort and control.
Customers, VIPs and executives from Mumtalakat, McLaren’s principal shareholder, were given the chance to experience McLaren’s first open top sports car for the road and I’m confident they were just as thoroughly impressed.
The event marked the start of the year in which McLaren celebrates 50 years at the pinnacle of motor sport. The 12C Spider is an example of the innovation and expertise gained by the company from their open roof motor racing experience which has brought unprecedented success on the F1 track. That experience is now transferred to the road at a cost of around BD110,000.
McLaren Automotive regional director Middle East & Africa, Mark Harrison, said: “The 12C Spider is unique in the car world and an example of the focus on research and development that McLaren and its shareholders are investing in to drive true automotive innovation.
“Ending 2012 with the honour of the 12C Coupe being named ‘Best Supercar’ and ‘Car of the Year’ at the Middle East Motor Awards, and the Spider being crowned ‘Best Supercar’ in Wheels magazine, is a superb foundation on which to build.
“In presenting the 12C Spider in Bahrain at the start of what will be a very exciting year for McLaren is the perfect way to enter 2013 for our team here: the regional office in Manama, our retail partner, and Mumtalakat.”
The 12C Spider, the second in what will be a range of high-performance McLaren sports cars, is the result of the company’s significant investment in carbon-fibre chassis engineering and production, and an almost obsessive attention to detail across performance, handling, quality and driver enjoyment at all speeds and in all conditions.
The 12C, Spider or Coupe, is the first true ‘no compromise’ sports car that can be used to beat all-comers on the track on a Saturday, and then drive to work in on the Sunday.
The 12C Coupe was launched in the Middle East in November 2011 and following the debut of the 12C Spider, McLaren is expected to soon confirm for production the P1 hypercar that debuted in prototype form at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.
Further announcements from McLaren Automotive and its retailer for Bahrain, Al Ghassan Motors, are due very soon on the opening date for what will be an iconic McLaren in Manama at the Moda Mall.
For more details, call 37770682.
