Insurance Group: 50
MPG: 24.2
CO2: 279
0-62 Mph: 3.1 secs
BHP: 616 BHP
Range: 383 miles
PROS: The MP4-12C will go down in history as one of the all-time greats. It is unbelievably fast, handles like absolutely nothing else you've ever driven and is astonishingly comfortable and economical for supercar.
CONS: It lacks the Italian flair of the Ferrari 458.
The McLaren's 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 chucks out 592bhp and 442lb-ft of torque. That's 22bhp more than the Ferrari 458 and 44lb-ft more torque. The power from the engine is fed to the rear wheels through a superb twin-clutch gearbox and, as a result, the MP4-12C doesn't hang around, hitting 62mph in 3.3 seconds and continuing to accelerate right up to 205mph.
The McLaren is perhaps the best handling car money can buy. It sticks like glue to the road without a hint of body roll and the steering is fast, crisp and precise.
However, don't think for a second that the MP4-12C is a stripped-out track day racer - it's actually surprisingly easy to live with every day. The ride is unbelievably smooth thanks to electronically-controlled full independent suspension and the cabin is very comfortable.
The MP4-12C looks great but it doesn't offer the drop-dead gorgeous looks of the 458. We get the sneaking suspicion that the McLaren designers designed the MP4-12C to go as quickly as possible, without giving a thought to desirability and styling. It's the same story with the interior. Sure it's beautifully appointed, but it isn't quite as special as you'd hope in a car which costs £168k.
As you'd expect for this sort of cash, you get a good amount of standard equipment. Alloys, climate control, electric windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors, MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth are all fitted as standard. Optional extras include Sat-Nav which will set you back an eye-watering £5,100 and metallic paint, which will cost you a further £3,820.
As you'd expect, the MP4-12C is not the most practical car in the world. There's plenty of space inside for the two occupants but they'll have to travel light, with just 144-litres of boot space to play with.
McLaren build very strong cars. Indeed, the designer of the old F1, Gordon Murray, offered to sit inside the car when it was crash tested! The MP4-12C's carbon-fibre monocoque should be very strong and you get four airbags to protect you if you run out of grip... or talent.
The MP4-12C feels very well screwed together and you're very unlikely to rack up an astronomical mileage, so reliability shouldn't be an issue. McLaren supply a three year unlimited mileage warranty as standard on this car.
Priced at £168,500, you'll have to be pretty well-heeled to afford an MP4-12C but, considering that the Ferrari 458 costs £5k more than the McLaren and isn't as well equipped, it could be considered good value.
Insurance won't be cheap under group 50 and CO2 emissions of 279g/km mean you'll be paying the top road-tax rate under group M, but these costs are unlikely to be a deterrent to most prospective buyers.
The real headline news is the McLaren's fuel economy - it's easily the most economical car of its type, returning an impressive 24.2mpg combined.
The McLaren should also benefit from rock-solid residuals.
The MP4-12C is the first road car that McLaren have made since the F1 in 1992 and, like the F1, it's very fast. However, unlike the F1, it's easy to drive at the limit, surprisingly economical and ...
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