McLaren MP4-12C is a modern-day classic supercar

THIS is one of Britain's latest and greatest supercars, the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C.

Sitting in the rear is a 3.8-litre, 32 valve twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder engine which can produce up to 441 kilowatts (592 brake horsepower) at 7000rpm and 600 Newton metres of torque (443 pound-feet of torque) which is delivered between 3000 and 7000rpm, and 80% of the torque is available at 2000rpm. Also, this V8 can rev up to 8500rpm.

Connected to the engine is a seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transmission, with manual shifting paddles on the steering wheel, which then sends all the power to the rear wheels.

It also has a kerb weight of just 1301 kilograms.

This allows the MP4-12C to launch from 0-100kmh in just 3.1 seconds (with Pirelli PZERO Corsa tyres that today's model is equipped with), and it will keep accelerating until it reaches its top speed of 330kmh (205 miles per hour).

The main rival for this McLaren is the 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia and McLaren themselves claim that the 12C is on paper, better than the 458 in every single mechanical way.

For example, the 0-100kmh is 0.3 seconds quicker, it has a higher top speed by 5kmh, it weighs 184 kilograms lighter and the McLaren has a power to weight ratio of 455 brake horsepower per tonne compared with the Ferrari's 378 brake horsepower per tonne.

The MP4-12C also features a rear spoiler with an electronic "air brake". How this works is that when you are travelling at high speed and step on the brake hard enough, the spoiler raises to a nearly 90 degree angle. This is a similar system to the Bugatti Veyron.

Some other features that this exotic is equipped with includes a stunning pearl white paint job with a carbon fibre and black leather interior, variable intermittent wipers, 20-inch, five twin-spoke lightweight black forged alloy wheels, double-wishbone front and rear suspension, four-wheel ABS as well as traction and stability control, auto-delay off Xenon headlights and daytime running lights, electronic brake force distribution, emergency braking assist and preparation, seat belt pretensioners, post and pre-collision safety systems, dual-zone climate controls for the driver and passenger, a satellite navigation system and much more.

This particular McLaren MP4-12C was just sold for $469 880, which is about $100 000 cheaper than buying a new model, and it also has only 7201km on the clock.

Jesse See is a teenage car enthusiast. His blogs and website can be found at www.jessesee.com