McLaren upgrades MP4-12C

McLaren will upgrade its MP4-12C supercar later this year, giving the two-seater a power increase without affecting efficiency, as well as addressing problems with the car’s infotainment system.

The update package comprises a remap for the car’s ECU, upping the engine’s power output from the already prodigious 600hp to 625hp and “significantly improving responsiveness”, according to McLaren. Despite the horsepower gains however, the firm is claiming the MP4-12C’s efficiency won’t be affected.

First Drive: McLaren MP4-12C

On Bing: see pictures of the McLaren MP4-12C

The standard car’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine returns a combined 24.2mpg with 279g/km CO2 emissions – respectable performance for a vehicle that will dispatch the sprint to 62mph from rest in 3.3 seconds, running on to a top speed of 205mph.

McLaren’s MD Antony Sheriff has dispatched a letter to all MP4-12C owners outlining the full array of revisions – in accordance with customer requests, remote opening of the passenger door, a programmable engine note and more options to tune the acoustics of the car’s Meridian surround sound system will be made available.

Customers will have to wait until October this year to receive the tweaks, at which point McLaren will also update the car’s IRIS infotainment system.

This is the second time McLaren has modified the MP4-12C, the first to “improve the car’s emotional connectivity with its driver”, by giving it a more prominent induction note and uprating steering feel through modified mounts.

The new upgrades package will be free of charge to all owners.

First Drive: McLaren MP4-12C

On Bing: see pictures of the McLaren MP4-12C