McLaren MP4-12C GT3 revised for 2013 racing season

The already impressive McLaren MP4-12C GT3 race car has been enhanced further as it’s readied for an expanded 2013 racing season.

Only available to European-based GT teams in 2012, the 2013 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is now available for all GT-level race teams globally as well as, for the first time, to collectors and non-race users.

Following a successful racing debut last year that saw the McLaren 12C GT3 take part in 98 race events claiming 19 victories and 19 podium finishes, for 2013 the GT3 has been tweaked for enhanced drivability, reliability and efficiency.

The changes include an upgraded engine control unit (ECU) with a revised electrical system, alternative dampers, and a revised aerodynamics package that improves vehicle balance and tyre wear. The car’s cooling system has also been updated to optimise performance in a variety of conditions and can be seen in the car’s new bonnet and ducting.

While the tweaked 2013 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 will set customers back $492,466, all MY13 changes are available to existing car owners as an update package.

While based on the McLaren MP4-12C road car, the GT3 car is a genuine racer with a carbonfibre MonoCell with aluminium front and rear sub-frames, four-way adjustable dampers with coil over springs, bespoke carbonfibre body panels, FIA approved roll cage, front splitter, fully adjustable rear wing, front and rear diffusers, and a race-prepared version of McLaren’s in-house-built 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine â€" down on power compared with the unrestricted 470kW McLaren MP4-12C GT Can-Am Edition â€" and six-speed sequential transmission with pneumatically actuated steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Other highlights include a digital dash, unique McLaren GT steering wheel developed from the English racing team’s MP4-24 Formula One car, six-piston front and four-piston rear Akebono monoblock calipers with 378mm front and 355mm rear ventilated disc brakes, and lightweight 18-inch forged aluminium wheels.

An exciting addition to the list of drivers behind the wheel of the McLaren for the 2013 season is nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, who has confirmed he will contest the FIA GT Series with his Sebastien Loeb Racing team running two examples of the MP4-12C GT3.