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Subject: McLaren launches new supercar
McLaren launches new supercar
LONDON (AFP) – Formula One automaker McLaren has launched
a supercar, part of a drive by the firm to shift up a gear in its
battle to capture the high-performance commercial sports car market.
The MP4-12C -- modelled on technology used by McLaren's Formula One
team -- will go into production next year with 1,000 of the cars
expected to roll off the production line in 2011, the firm said at
a launch Thursday.
It will have a price tag of 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars,
170,000 euros) and its production will create 300 new jobs, said
McLaren.
The firm hopes to be producing 4,000 of the vehicles by the middle
of the decade, and it is the first of a series of top-end
sports cars
McLaren plans to build in the coming years.
"We have long held the dream of building a range of McLaren
high-performance
sports cars that take the raw elements of Formula 1 principles,"
said McLaren
Automotive chairman Ron Dennis.
"It is inspired by Formula One, built on the pride and passion to
the highest quality and rich in McLaren DNA," he added.
Dennis said the plans "confirm our intention to challenge
convention at the highest levels of automotive design, from a hi-tech home
that I am proud to say will deliver jobs, expertise and innovation
in manufacturing and engineering."
The 12C will be built at a specially designed plant south of
London due to
start production next year.
McLaren will sell the car through retailers in 19 countries, with
North America
expected to account for up to 40 percent of the market.
