McLaren unveils new non-F1 race car at Goodwood

(McLaren)

McLaren has unveiled the latest iteration of its MP4-12C performance car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The British automotive brand, which traditionally focuses on Formula 1 racing, unveiled the MP4-12C GT3 to the public June 30, after showcasing it to prospective team owners over the past couple of months.

The new model, a modified version of the MP4-12C, is being developed for GT3 racing next year - it is the first car McLaren has manufactured for racing outside of Formula 1 since the McLaren F1 GTR, which was produced until 2005.

McLaren's MP4-12C GT3 uses a carbon-fibre chassis like its predecessor, but sports some new features designed to optimize the vehicle's aerodynamics, including a new front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffusors and louvers in the front fenders.

It is powered by a 3.8-liter V8 twin turbo engine, with a six-speed gearbox controlled using paddles on the steering wheel, which is the same as that used by Lewis Hamilton in the MP4-24 Formula 1 car.

Although it's going on sale to racing teams only sometime next year, visitors to Goodwood will be able to see it on the Festival of Speed's famous hill climb, where vehicles will be in action through July 3.

It's been a busy couple of weeks for McLaren, which opened its first retail outlet in London June 21, the launch of a dealer network set to total 35 locations in 19 countries.

The Manchester outpost opened June 30, while Birmingham will follow on July 6, ahead of various stores in Europe (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland) set to open this summer.

A new site dedicated to the vehicle has been launched at http://mclarengt.com/

http://www.goodwood.co.uk/fos