McLaren GT, the motorsport arm of the British super car maker, revealed a one-off racer concept study in form of the McLaren 12C Can-Am Edition, set for debut at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours. Dressed in historic McLaren Orange and satin black, it is designed to introduce the racing version of the 12C to people outside Europe.
The Can-Am features many improvements over the GT3 car we know in Europe. It has a revised version of the familiar 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine features a unique engine calibration and optimised cooling system, and therefore makes 630hp, while the whole car doesn’t weigh more than 1,200 kg.
Needless to say in this specs the Can-Am is not qualified for any racing series. It’s been made as the ‘ultimate track car’ with no holds barred.
The car also features improved aero characteristics. The optimised aerodynamic package includes a carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre dive planes, and a carbon fibre wing which dominates the rear of the car. The wing is held in place by polished aluminium mounts. An imposing carbon fibre diffuser helps to further maximise the aerodynamic package, fitted beneath the two-tone rear bumper.
What’s more, it gets a powerful braking system from Akebono, lightweight racing wheels with Pirelli racing slick tyres and an updated interior. The carbon fibre cabin gets two race seats, six-point harness, a steering wheel like that of Lewis Hamilton’s F1 car, and even integrated air conditioning system!