McLaren MP4-12C Can-Am Edition will go into production, but only 30 will be made

By Stephen Edelstein November 20, 2012

When McLaren unveiled the MP4-12C Can-Am Edition, it said this unique version of its supercar was just a concept. However, unlike McLaren’s last jaw-dropping one-off, the X-1, the Can-Am will be produced. Granted, only 30 of the special edition cars will be made, but that’s better than nothing, right?

Named after the Canadian-American Challenge Cup that McLaren dominated in the 1960s and 1970s, the Can-Am Edition is essentially a racing version of the MP4-12C. It features a souped-up version of the stock MP4’s 3.8-liter V8, with 13 more horses for a total of 630.

The most dramatic change is the collection of racing-style body modifications, including a front splitter, rear diffuser, dive planes, and a massive rear spoiler. There are also copious vents for the engine compartment and radiator, plus sticky Pirelli racing tires.

The hardcore racing vibe continues through the stripped interior. The dashboard is replaced with a lightweight carbon fiber piece, and the seats are now racing buckets with six-point harnesses. The Can-Am also has an FIA-approved roll cage and a racing steering wheel taken from the MP4-12C GT3.

This is a serious car, but it may not have a purpose beyond looking cool. It probably won’t be road legal in most countries, and since McLaren did not build it to the specifications of any particular racing series, owners may have to modify their Can-Ams to turn them into genuine racers.

The Can-Am will join the Ferrari FXX and Pagani Zonda R in growing toy box of track day-only machines. These super-supercars have left street legality behind, and can only be unleashed on a closed course.

That may not be a problem for people who live close to a track, and have access to a tractor trailer. There must be a few McLaren fans out there who also manage hedge funds.

If a regular MP4-12C just isn’t exciting enough for you, get your Black Card ready. McLaren will only make 30 MP4-12C Can-Am Editions, at a price of $569,000 per copy. Deliveries begin in March 2013.

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.