MP4-12C Name

[KinLM]

Was just thinking earlier and I believe I get where the name comes from.

As many know, the MP4 is for McLaren Project 4. I read somebody's post on here as to where that came from, but can't remember it all. I just know it's something they started using for their F1 car names in 1981.

But as for the 12C.. Well, checking online, they have 12 driver's Championships.

If I recall correctly, Ferrari did something similar with one of their F430's, using the number 16..

I'm sure many of you may have already figured this out, and I know it's not the most important news ever. It's just the origin of the name has always confused me and the possibility that this is where it came from urged me to share this with others who may be curious.

EDIT: I was incorrect on my reason! Below is an accurate reason for how the car got it's name.

 

[RocZX]

No the 12C stands for.........

• The '12' refers to McLaren's internal Vehicle Performance Index through which it rates key performance criteria both for competitors and for its own cars. The criteria combine power, weight, emissions, and aerodynamic efficiency. The coalition of all these values delivers an overall performance index that has been used as a benchmark throughout the car's development.

• The 'C' refers to Carbon, highlighting the unique application of carbon fibre technology to the future range of McLaren sports cars.

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[KinLM]

No the 12C stands for.........

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Well there you go, I wasn't right. I saw many people wondering where the name came from, and after hearing about the Ferrari, I thought it was something similar!

Turns out it's even more complicated! Amazing.

Edit: Ferrari I was thinking of is the F430 16M.

 

[Tyger]

If I remember correctly, the F1 also had some longer project name that was nothing like "F1". It's mentioned on some Youtube video or other.