McLaren 12C GT Sprint (2013) first pictures

The McLaren 12C GT Sprint will cost around £200,000 and be limited to an initial batch of 20 models finished in McLaren Orange as standard. The special edition bridges the gap between the regular version of the road-going 12C and the GT3 and Can-Am racing models, and has been developed by McLaren GT, the racing arm of the company.

It looks just like a 12C with a massive rear wing, but look closely and the GT Sprint has a revised aero package to make it even slipperier through the air and hang on even better around corners. The bonnet has the radiator ducts for the central radiator and unique oil-cooing set-up while, like the GT3 version, the ceramic brakes are shown off by a set of 19-inch OZ alloys shod in Pirelli racing slicks. The track focus isn’t PR speak, either, as an on-board jack system and wheel centre locks enable super-fast tyre changes.

The McLaren PCC suspension has been retuned to match the lower ride height (McLaren won’t say how much it has been lowered), and it’s also much stiffer than the road-going 12C. There’s three unique handling modes, while there are greater levels of adjustment in terms of roll stiffness and the ESP calibration, making it more tunable to specific circuits, conditions and driving styles. The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 makes 616bhp, the same as in the regular version, and uses the same seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

This is a turnkey racecar, complete with an FIA-approved roll-cage, integrated fire extinguisher system and a HANS-approve racing seat. There’s a six-point harness to strap Button wannabes in, and a special steering wheel developed for this car. A lightweight air-con set up shaves precious weight along with the carbon dash.

By Damion Smy