2013 McLaren MP4-12C

Offered here is a spectacular as new example of one of the most technically ambitious supercars of the modern era: the McLaren MP4-12C Spider.

Unveiled in 2010 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, piloted by F1 legends Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button, after 5 years of development and engineered by a team with deep Grand Prix pedigree, the MP4-12C marked McLaren’s audacious return to the road following the seismic impact of the F1. 

Constructed around an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell tub, the 12C was built not only to challenge convention but to redefine the supercar entirely. McLaren drew deeply from its Formula 1 expertise, deploying technology not merely for performance, but for precision. 

Just one example of this fanatical attention to detail; during the development of the MP4-12C, Lewis Hamilton provided direct feedback to McLaren engineers. He felt that the steering wheel didn't resemble that of his Formula 1 car. In response, the engineers adjusted the steering wheel's thickness to match that of Hamilton's F1 wheel, accounting for the addition of his racing gloves as well. This meticulous attention to detail ensured that the 12C's steering wheel offered a familiar feel to a Formula 1 driver, enhancing the driving experience for all enthusiasts.

The 12C Spider, introduced shortly thereafter, retained the monocoque structure without compromise to rigidity or any additional weight with additional bracing. It features the lightest retractable hard-top roof on the market, a detail born of obsessive weight reduction efforts that shaved an additional 10kg’s off its original 50kg mechanism during development. It also fully retracts in just 17 seconds.

The car's heart is the 3.8-litre M838T twin-turbocharged V8 engine, developed in-house with assistance from Ricardo and rooted in a former TWR IndyCar design. Producing 620hp and delivering 80% of its torque from just 2,000rpm, it’s a rare power unit that offers near-telepathic throttle response through a dual-clutch seven-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox that also pioneered pre-cog shift technology. It’s a combination that pins you to the back of your seat with zero interruption.

The powertrain is also paired with ‘brake steer’ technology, a McLaren F1-derived innovation applying braking to the inside rear wheel mid-corner to combat understeer and sharpen turn-in.

Yet, where many supercars sacrifice civility for speed, the 12C defies convention. Its hydraulic cross-linked suspension offers a ride quality closer to that of a grand tourer than a track weapon. EVO Magazine put it best: "It's faster than a Ferrari 458 Italia, has more usable performance, rides better, has more mechanical grip and is much, much more usable."

This particular Australian-delivered McLaren MP4-12C Spider, finished in White over a striking Black Semi-Aniline Leather with subtle contrast Red stitching interior was delivered new by McLaren Sydney in July of 2013 and has travelled just 2,300 Kilometres under single private ownership. 

With such light use, this rare car presents in excellent condition throughout with a crispness to the finer details not seen in others and also benefits from a complete factory service record. It’s last with McLaren Sydney in June of this year.

This 12C’s exceptional specification includes:

• Carbon Fibre Front Splitter
• Carbon Rear Diffuser
• Carbon Turning Veins
• Carbon Engine Compartment
• Stealth Package
• Lightweight Forged Alloy Wheels in Diamond Cut Finish
• Contrasting Red Brake Callipers
• Vehicle Lift System
• IRIS Communication Management with Navigation
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Reversing Camera

Offered to market for the first time in a long time, this 12C Spider represents a rare opportunity to own and drive a McLaren engineered without compromise, as fresh as it was the day it rolled off the production floor. 

Agile, devastatingly quick, and steeped in Formula 1 DNA with unrivalled heritage, it remains a landmark in contemporary supercar design. Whether you view it as a collector-grade artefact or a road-going adrenaline shot, this MP4-12C Spider is every bit the modern classic and something all of us enthusiasts should have the opportunity to experience.