McLaren MP4-12C launches into production

It's finally happening. Perhaps the most anticipated British sports car in at least a decade--the McLaren MP4-12C--has gone into production.

McLaren announced the news on Wednesday, and as many as 1,000 copies of the potent speedster will be built this year.

The car will sticker for $231,400, including shipping, when it arrives in late summer. It's still to be determined whether the car will carry the gas-guzzler tax.

The MP4-12C pushes out 592 hp from a 3.8-liter V8 and employs a one-piece carbon-fiber chassis called the MonoCell.

Look for the car to go on sale in 35 markets around the world, including 10 in North America, mostly in urban areas.

By Greg Migliore