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Photo of a McLaren 12C

McLaren 12C

McLaren's return after the F1, built around an 80 kg carbon-fiber MonoCell.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 33 sources

At a glance

0400800
592–666 hpPower
0510
3–3.2 s0–60 mph
0175350
329–333 km/hTop speed
0300600
600 N·mTorque

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.5891011

Engine
3.8 L M838T twin-turbo V8, dry sump and flat-plane crank12
Layout
Longitudinal mid-engine, rear-wheel drive9
Gearbox
7-speed SSG dual-clutch with Pre-Cog2
Built at
McLaren Production Centre, Woking, United Kingdom12
Units built
Approximately 3,400 coupes and Spiders; exact total unpublished2

The story

Ron Dennis wanted road cars to broaden McLaren and protect its workforce. The 12C combined hydraulic roll control with separate Normal, Sport and Track settings for handling and powertrain.3456

2005: Development starts with F1 tools20052008: Stephenson refines the shape20082009: September reveal: MP4-12C20092011: Series production begins in Woking20112012: Measured: 3.2 seconds to 60 mph · Spider shares the coupe's MonoCell20122013: 100 cars for McLaren's 50th20132014: Production ends; 650S takes over2014 McLaren M6 GT (M6 GT): 1969M6 GTMcLaren F1: 1992–1998Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C199 / R199 / Z199): 2003–2010McLaren MP4-12C / 12C (P11): 2011–2014P11McLaren 650S: 2014 introductionMcLaren 650S 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1242021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1969McLaren M6 GT (M6 GT)
1992–1998McLaren F1
2003–2010Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C199 / R199 / Z199)
2011–2014McLaren MP4-12C / 12C (P11)
2014 introductionMcLaren 650S
2005Development starts with F1 tools
2008Stephenson refines the shape
2009September reveal: MP4-12C
2011Series production begins in Woking
2012Measured: 3.2 seconds to 60 mph
2012Spider shares the coupe's MonoCell
2013100 cars for McLaren's 50th
2014Production ends; 650S takes over
  1. 2005

    Development starts with F1 tools

    Chief engineer Neil Patterson's team used Formula 1 modeling and simulation from the 12C's conception in 2005.3

  2. 2008

    Stephenson refines the shape

    Frank Stephenson refined the headlights, front bumper and cabin, favoring a restrained look and a cab-forward driving position.17

  3. 2009

    September reveal: MP4-12C

    MP4 meant McLaren Project 4; 12 was an internal vehicle-performance index; C identified the carbon structure.1

  4. 2011

    Series production begins in Woking

    Manufacturing began on February 2. A 12C MonoCell took four hours to make, versus 3,000 hours for the F1.1

  5. 2012

    Measured: 3.2 seconds to 60 mph

    Testing returned 3.2 seconds to 60 mph against a 3.0-second factory claim; the 592 hp coupe stopped from 97 km/h in 32.3 m.56

  6. 2012

    Spider shares the coupe's MonoCell

    Announced in July, the Spider needed no extra chassis bracing. Its hardtop opened or closed in 17 seconds at up to 30 km/h.128

  7. 2013

    100 cars for McLaren's 50th

    The anniversary run was capped at 100 cars, 50 of each body style, with an MSO front bumper, carbon-ceramic brakes and special lightweight wheels.2

  8. 2014

    Production ends; 650S takes over

    Coupe and Spider production stopped in April, two months after the 650S launch. An estimated 3,400 cars had been completed.2

Every generation

  • McLaren M6 GT
    M6 GT1969
  • McLaren F1
    McLaren F11992–1998
  • Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
    C199 / R199 / Z1992003–2010
  • McLaren MP4-12C / 12C
    P112011–2014
  • McLaren 650S
    McLaren 650S2014 introduction

Power over the years

From 592 hp to 666 hp in 0 years.

0200400600800 20122014 hp 2012 · 592 hp · 2012 MP4-12C coupe2012 · 666 hp · 2012 MSO High Sport2013 · 616 hp · 2013 12C and Spider 666 hp 2012 MSO High Sport 592 hp 2012 MP4-12C coupe
18910
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
20125922012 MP4-12C coupe
20126662012 MSO High Sport
20136162013 12C and Spider

Versions

8 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • 12C Coupe

    Standard

    12C Coupe

    2013–2014

    616 hp
  • 12C Spider

    Standard

    12C Spider

    2013–2014

    616 hp

  • Racing

    12C GT Sprint

    2013

    616 hp

  • Limited

    McLaren 50 12C / Spider

    616 hp
  • 12C Can-Am Edition

    Racing

    12C Can-Am Edition

    621 hp

  • Limited

    Neiman Marcus 12C Spider

    616 hp
  • MP4-12C High Sport

    Limited

    MP4-12C High Sport

    2012

    666 hp

    10 built

  • Special

    X-1

    2012

    616 hp

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Cab-forward cabin; front fender peaks sit above the wheel centers.718
  • Dihedral doors swing upward and outward.19
  • Deep side cooling scoops contain body-colored blades.2
  • Two high exhaust outlets share the slatted tail panel with almost-hidden rear lights.211
  • Rear Airbrake rises prominently under hard braking.7

Year by year

  1. 2013 model year

    A lightweight five-spoke forged wheel design joined the options list.2

  2. 2013 model year

    A small Speed Marque badge revision accompanied the update; the main exterior styling carried over.9

Don’t confuse it with

  • McLaren 650S

    Ordinary 12Cs have a full-width front intake and single-piece lamps; the High Sport's revised nose previewed the 650S.1210

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $88.0K–$107.0K252627

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$100K$200K$300K$400K 201520202025 Value today: $88,000–$107,000 2012 · $231,400 · US base, MP4-12C2012 · $303,690 · US as tested, MP4-12C2013 · $239,400 · US base, 12C2013 · $265,750 · US base, Spider 2012 · $231,400 · US base price, 2012 model year 2019 · $105,000 · 2012 MP4-12C, BaT2024 · $103,000 · 2013 12C Spider, BaT2024 · $193,200 · 2013 12C Bespoke Project 8 Spider, <1,665 miles, RM Sotheby's2025 · $65,999 · 2012 MP4-12C, 36k miles, BaT2025 · $145,000 · 2014 12C Spider 50th Anniversary, 18k miles, BaT2026 · $107,000 · 2013 Spider, 18k mi, ceramics, transaxle serviced, BaT2026 · $88,000 · 2012 MP4-12C, 35k mi, chips, upgraded accumulators, BaT2026 · $148,000 · 2012 MP4-12C, 4,500 miles, BaT2026 · $94,000 · 2012 MP4-12C, 9k miles, BaT2026 · $110,000 · 2014 12C Spider, 14k miles, BaT $193.2K RM Sotheby's, 2024
689192526282930313233
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2012Launch price$231,400US base price, 2012 model year
2012Price when new$231,400US base, MP4-12C
2012Price when new$303,690US as tested, MP4-12C
2013Price when new$239,400US base, 12C
2013Price when new$265,750US base, Spider
2019Auction sale$105,0002012 MP4-12C, BaT
2024Auction sale$103,0002013 12C Spider, BaT
2024Auction sale$193,2002013 12C Bespoke Project 8 Spider, <1,665 miles, RM Sotheby's
2025Auction sale$65,9992012 MP4-12C, 36k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$145,0002014 12C Spider 50th Anniversary, 18k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$107,0002013 Spider, 18k mi, ceramics, transaxle serviced, BaT
2026Auction sale$88,0002012 MP4-12C, 35k mi, chips, upgraded accumulators, BaT
2026Auction sale$148,0002012 MP4-12C, 4,500 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$94,0002012 MP4-12C, 9k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$110,0002014 12C Spider, 14k miles, BaT
2026Value today$88,000–$107,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 8 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A record 8:10.921 at the Nürburgring”
    • “19 European wins in 2012”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. McLaren 12C - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. McLaren MP4 12C Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  3. The racing lineage September 2010 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  4. McLaren MP4-12C (2011 - 2014) – Ferrari 458 performance for used Porsche 911 money | evo evo.co.uk
  5. 2012 McLaren MP4-12C First Test - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  6. 2012 McLaren MP4-12C First Drive caranddriver.com
  7. McLaren MP4-12C: Inside story - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  8. McLaren Automotive reveals details and images of 2013 12C Spider prnewswire.com
  9. Even more powerful and usable: the enhanced McLaren MP4-12C prnewswire.com
  10. Barrett-Jackson Hidden Gems: 2012 McLaren MP4-12C High Sport Chassis 9 motortrend.com
  11. Future Classics: McLaren MP4-12C Review | GRR goodwood.com
  12. McLaren 12C Spider review and pictures | evo evo.co.uk
  13. McLaren 12C GT Sprint price and specs | evo evo.co.uk
  14. Limited edition McLaren 50 12C | News | by Car Enthusiast carenthusiast.com
  15. McLaren 12C Can-Am confirmed | evo evo.co.uk
  16. Neiman Marcus vend 12 McLaren en 2 heures ! autoplus.fr
  17. Unique X-1 concept shows that no challenge is too great for McLaren Special Operations prnewswire.com
  18. McLaren 12C – Volcanic Activity - Octane Magazine octane-magazine.com
  19. 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia vs. McLaren MP4-12C, Porsche 911 GT2 RS caranddriver.com
  20. McLaren F1 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. McLaren MP4-12C GT3 - iRacing.com | iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations iracing.com
  23. McLaren 12C GT3 Confirmed for 2014 Pirelli World Challenge gtspirit.com
  24. Estres Fahrt in die Geschichtsbücher - 24h Nürburgring motorsport-magazin.com
  25. 2012 McLaren MP4-12C for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $88,000 on October 17, 2026 (Lot #269,072) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. 18k-Mile 2013 McLaren 12C Spider for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $107,000 on February 28, 2026 (Lot #231,590) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 2012 McLaren MP4-12C Coupe | Dare to Dream | Online | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  28. 36k-Mile 2012 McLaren MP4-12C for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $65,999 on July 2, 2025 (Lot #198,860) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 4,500-Mile 2012 McLaren MP4-12C for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $148,000 on October 12, 2026 (Lot #267,885) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 2014 McLaren 12C Spider 50th Anniversary Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $145,000 on April 7, 2025 (Lot #186,659) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 9k-Mile 2012 McLaren MP4-12C for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $93,500 on October 5, 2026 (Lot #266,818) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 14k-Mile 2014 McLaren 12C Spider for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $110,000 on July 21, 2026 (Lot #253,408) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 2013 McLaren 12C 'Bespoke Project 8' Spider | Arizona 2024 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • supercarnostalgia.com
  • motorsportmagazine.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • motortrend.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • prnewswire.com
  • goodwood.com
  • carenthusiast.com
  • autoplus.fr
  • octane-magazine.com
  • iracing.com
  • gtspirit.com

Photo credits

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