McLaren MP4-12C to start at about $230,000

The McLaren MP4-12C sports car will have a sticker price of between $230,000 and $250,000 when it goes on sale in the United States about a year from now.

McLaren said on Wednesday that the sports car will be priced at 168,500 pounds (about $265,800) in the United Kingdom and at 200,000 euros (about $267,200) in Europe when it goes on sale in that region in early 2011.

A final price for the U.S. market will be set in early 2011, McLaren spokesman Mark Harrison said.

The MP4-12C's performance comes from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, rated at 592 hp, mated to a lightweight carbon-fiber chassis. The car has a curb weight of 2,866 pounds.

McLaren said it will build up to 1,000 copies of the MP4-12C in the car's first full year of production. After that, the company expects to build about 4,000 copies a year.

McLaren will build the car at the same facility where it produces its Formula One race cars. The MP4-12C can be customized with a wide range of options. Buyers can choose from 17 paint colors and 14 interior trims. A sports exhaust system, carbon-ceramic brake discs, polished-finish calipers and two lightweight forged wheel options are some of the available performance upgrades. Also, the mirror casings, engine cover and engine-bay panels can be constructed from carbon fiber.

By Michelle Koueiter