McLaren MP4-12C

After taking a few years off from building cars, McLaren has come back with a great deal of momentum by stealing headlines with two new super cars, the first of which was the new MP4-12C. The new mid-engined super car offers a superb mixture of everyday driving dynamics and high-performance driving characteristics that make it at home on the race track or the roadways. The new MP4-12C has been arriving at dealerships around the world for over six months and a variety of aftermarket tuning companies have already designed and produced new upgrade programs for them. One company, DMC Tuning in Germany, decided to wait and work on fine-tuning their upgrade program to produce the best upgrade program for the new super car. Called the "Velocita", the new carbon fiber upgrade program includes aerodynamic body work, a new exhaust system, and lightweight COR rims made from forged aluminum alloy.

The first part of the new upgrade program that was addressed was the aerodynamics of the McLaren MP4-12C. The German aftermarket tuning company developed a carbon fiber body kit using advanced CAD software and lengthy wind-tunnel testing to create a functional option with an OEM fitment. The new body kit consists of a new front fascia that uses new grille inserts and a splitter to generate downforce at the front axle and improve cooling to the front radiators and braking system. A pair of new side skirts helps to redirect air away from the new set of COR rims at the rear and reduce drag for the super car. The rear of the MP4-12C Velocita features a new diffuser with dual fins to help create a suction effect with the pavement and a large rear spoiler atop the engine cover that generates downforce without increasing drag.

The next step was to upgrade the engine. The 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine was outfitted with a new lightweight titanium exhaust that improves performance. Everything from the exhaust manifold to the rear tailpipes is constructed form titanium to reduce weight and backpressure for better overall performance. The result is over 600 brake horsepower being sent to each of the rear COR rims with a sub 3.5-second 0-62 mph acceleration time.

The final aspect of the new super car that the team at DMC Tuning upgraded as part of the new McLaren MP4-12C Velocita program was the wheel and tire setup. The team opted for a new set of COR rims made from forged aluminum alloy to keep weight to a minimum at the wheel hub. The wheels were installed with a 21-inch diameter at the front and rear axle and shod with 255/30 ZR21 front and 355/25 ZR21 Continental Sport Contact high-performance tires for better grip.