McLaren MP4-12C GT3 (2011–2014)
The MP4-12C GT3 was McLaren's first customer GT3 car, built with CRS Racing on the carbon MonoCell of the 12C road car. It raced from 2011 to 2014 before the 650S GT3 replaced it. Today it suits track-day owners, club racers and collectors who accept thin factory support and a small production run.
History
McLaren announced a GT3 programme for the MP4-12C in December 2010, with CRS Racing as partner 3. The joint venture traded as McLaren GT. CRS built, sold and supported the cars from Leicestershire. Testing began in March 2011 at MIRA and Silverstone, followed by Navarra and Portimão 3. McLaren used several Formula 1 suppliers, including Akebono, Mobil 1, McLaren Electronic Systems, Ricardo and Michelin 3.
The engine stayed close to the road car's M838T but ran a GT3 calibration of about 493 bhp 1. Ricardo developed a six-speed sequential gearbox about 80 kg lighter than the road car's seven-speed unit 1. The car raced at Spa in British GT and the Spa 24 Hours in July 2011 3. A revised car at Goodwood that month gained a front radiator and a gearbox cooler on the rear deck 2.
The first 20 cars sold out at £310,000 before the 2012 season 3. McLaren GT eventually delivered 25 cars to teams racing in seven championships 5. One team boss admitted reliability had been a problem, though he said it was under control by late 2012 5. Teams also cited electrical faults early in 2012 8. The first wins came at Navarra in May 2012, in the FIA GT1 World Championship 4.
For 2013 McLaren revised the ECU, electrics, dampers and aero, and added a ducted bonnet for hot races 6. The car was now offered worldwide, including to collectors, at £325,000 6. A track-only Can-Am Edition with up to 630 hp followed 7. In 2014 McLaren launched the 650S GT3 as a new homologation and offered 12C owners an upgrade package 89.
Palmarès
The car's first wins came in May 2012, when Hexis Racing took both FIA GT1 World Championship races at Navarra 4. At the 2012 Spa 24 Hours the Von Ryan car took Pro-Am pole and finished ninth overall 14. Only two of the nine 12C GT3s finished. Motor Sport recorded a Hexis one-two in Moscow and a Lapidus win in the Barcelona 24 Hours that year 5. McLaren customer teams claimed 38 podiums in 2012, about half of them wins 18. By 2013 the car raced in Blancpain Endurance, FIA GT, British GT, GT Open, Super GT and Asian series 18.
What to check before you buy
Identify the build: 2012 car, MY13 car, factory-updated car or 650S conversion: Electrical, ECU, aero and cooling changes for 2013 address the early faults; a 650S upgrade changes gearbox and bodywork. Ask for logged engine and gearbox hours since the last rebuild, and who did the work: Sellers of these cars log hours since a refresh; one converted car showed 91.57 hours since a factory engine and gearbox refresh. Read the ECU calibration and boost settings: Homologated GT3 cars ran about 493 bhp; Can-Am and some private calibrations run far more and are not race-legal. Get the full spares inventory in writing: Spares packages carry real value; one 2019 auction car came with spares valued at over $75,000. Check race history for accidents through results archives and team records: Attrition in long races was high; at the 2012 Spa 24 Hours only two of nine 12C GT3s finished. Confirm ownership papers and import status: Both RM Sotheby's 2019 cars were sold on a bill of sale only, with no title. If the car has Can-Am or show history, ask for the conversion records: Chassis 025 was shown at Pebble Beach in Can-Am form and converted back to GT3 a month later.
Versions and evolutions
| Version | Years | What changed | How to identify |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 development cars | 2011 | Works-run test and race cars. Goodwood car of July 2011 added a front radiator, a rear-deck gearbox cooler and revised splitter, wing and diffuser. 2 | Early chassis numbers and McLaren GT works history; three cars ran the 2011 Spa 24 Hours. |
| 2012 customer car | 2012 | First customer specification, £310,000 ex taxes. 3 | Chassis plate and McLaren GT build record; no MY13 ducted bonnet unless updated. RM Sotheby's describes chassis 025 as the last of the 25 built for 2012. |
| MY13 12C GT3 | 2013–2014 | Refreshed ECU and electrical system, new aero package for tyre wear, revised dampers, bonnet with extra ducting, simplified mechanicals. 6 | Ducted bonnet and 2013 aero parts; ask for McLaren GT paperwork showing new build or factory update. |
| 12C GT Can-Am Edition | 2013 | Track-only car based on the GT3 with an unrestricted calibration of up to 630 hp, larger rear wing, air conditioning and race seats. Planned run of no more than 30 at £375,000. 7 | Not GT3-homologated; polished aluminium wing mounts and Can-Am build documents. One dealer says only five were made for sale. |
| 650S GT3 upgrade | 2014 onwards | Factory upgrade package carrying many 650S GT3 enhancements, including the newer gearbox, onto a 12C GT3 base. 9 | 650S bodywork on a 12C GT3 chassis number; McLaren GT conversion invoice. One seller quotes a kit cost of £150,000. |
Known issues
- Electrical faults on early 2012 cars — Teams reported electrical problems at the start of the 2012 season; McLaren updated the electrical system and ECU for 2013. 8
- Engine failures reported in 2013 — A team owner recalled a few engine problems during 2013 without giving detail. Logged engine hours and rebuild records matter. 8
- Heat management in hot races — McLaren added a front radiator and gearbox cooler in 2011. A ducted bonnet followed in 2013 for longer running in high temperatures. 6
- Gearbox reliability on the 12C GT3 box — McLaren GT said gearbox reliability was an area of struggle, and fitted a new gearbox to the 650S GT3. 8
- Homologation limits on fuel system and setup — The homologated fuel tank made refuelling slow; teams also had limited spring and damper choices and a raised ride height in 2012. 5
- Accident damage on a carbon MonoCell car — Cars were often crashed hard in endurance races. The tub is a carbon structure shared with the road car, so damage needs specialist assessment. 8
Checklist before you buy
- Identify the build: 2012 car, MY13 car, factory-updated car or 650S conversion. — Electrical, ECU, aero and cooling changes for 2013 address the early faults; a 650S upgrade changes gearbox and bodywork. 6
- Ask for logged engine and gearbox hours since the last rebuild, and who did the work. — Sellers of these cars log hours since a refresh; one converted car showed 91.57 hours since a factory engine and gearbox refresh. 12
- Read the ECU calibration and boost settings. — Homologated GT3 cars ran about 493 bhp; Can-Am and some private calibrations run far more and are not race-legal. 10
- Get the full spares inventory in writing. — Spares packages carry real value; one 2019 auction car came with spares valued at over $75,000. 11
- Check race history for accidents through results archives and team records. — Attrition in long races was high; at the 2012 Spa 24 Hours only two of nine 12C GT3s finished. 14
- Confirm ownership papers and import status. — Both RM Sotheby's 2019 cars were sold on a bill of sale only, with no title. 10
- If the car has Can-Am or show history, ask for the conversion records. — Chassis 025 was shown at Pebble Beach in Can-Am form and converted back to GT3 a month later. 10
Running costs 12
| Rebuild interval | No published factory interval found; ask the seller for engine and gearbox hours since refresh. |
|---|---|
| Typical rebuild cost | unknown; one seller quotes £150,000 for the 650S GT3 upgrade kit, a separate cost from routine rebuilds |
| Consumables | Slick and wet tyres, brake discs and pads, fuel bottles and air-jack parts. One recent spares package lists Michelin slicks, Michelin wets and Endless pads. |
| Spares availability | No current factory parts programme for the 12C GT3 could be confirmed. Original support ran through McLaren GT and CRS Racing; buyers should value the included spares package highly. |
Where it races today
- FIA GT3-based national and international series (period) · GT3 — Raced in Blancpain Endurance, FIA GT, British GT, GT Open, Super GT and Asian GT series in 2013. Current BoP acceptance must be checked series by series. 18
- Masters Endurance Legends · GT3 — The series lists a 2015–2019 window for GT3 cars. The 12C GT3 sits mostly before that window, so ask the organiser before entering. 15
- Track days and private testing · None — The Can-Am Edition was built track-only and not homologated for racing. 7
Market prices
- New 2012 customer car, ex taxes: 310,000 GBP (2011-08) 3
- Dealer asking price, unraced car (Lawton Brook): 299,000 GBP (2012-11) 13
- New 12C GT Can-Am Edition: 375,000 GBP (2012-11) 7
- New MY13 12C GT3: 325,000 GBP (2013-01) 6
- RM Sotheby's Fort Lauderdale, chassis 025, never raced, sold: 236,500 USD (2019-03) 10
- RM Sotheby's Auburn Fall, ex-Boutsen Ginion car with spares, sold: 145,000 USD (2019-09) 11
- Dealer asking price, ex-Can-Am car in 650S GT3 spec (listing seen; listing date not shown): 189,900 USD (2026-11) 12
Public 12C GT3 results are thin; the two dated auction sales in 2019 were $145,000 and $236,500. In November 2026 a search of racingcarnetwork.com returned no 12C GT3 listings.
Reference prices are dated and sourced; live asking prices are in the listings above.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 12C GT3 still eligible for GT3 racing?
Its homologation dates from 2012 to 2014, and current GT3 grids use newer cars. Some historic and club series accept older GT3s, but rules vary. Masters Endurance Legends, for example, lists a 2015–2019 window for GT3 cars. Ask each organiser in writing before you buy for a specific series.
What is the difference between a 2012 car and an MY13 car?
The 2013 car has a refreshed ECU and electrical system, new aero for tyre wear, revised dampers and a ducted bonnet for heat. Those changes target the electrical and cooling problems teams reported in 2012. Ask whether a 2012 car received the updates and request paperwork.
Can I upgrade a 12C GT3 to 650S GT3 specification?
McLaren offered existing owners an upgrade package when the 650S GT3 launched in 2014. One seller quotes £150,000 for a conversion completed by McLaren GT. The 650S package also brings a newer gearbox. Check that any conversion was done by the factory and is documented.
Is a Can-Am Edition the same as a GT3?
No. The Can-Am Edition is based on the GT3 but runs an unrestricted calibration of up to 630 hp. It also has a bigger wing and air conditioning. It was built for track days only and was not homologated for racing.
Who supplies parts for these cars now?
Support originally came through McLaren GT and CRS Racing. A current factory parts programme for the 12C GT3 could not be confirmed. The engine is a version of the road-car M838T, but GT3 body, gearbox and electronics parts are specific. A large spares package is worth a lot.
Sources
- McLaren MP4-12C GT3 racing car: new pictures and video, evo (2011) — Power 493 bhp, Ricardo gearbox 80 kg lighter, MonoCell, MP4-24 wheel, 20 cars for 2012
- Revised MP4-12C GT3 racer shown at Goodwood, PistonHeads (2011-07) — 2011 revisions: front radiator, gearbox cooler, aero; £310k
- McLaren GT announces first customers for new McLaren MP4-12C GT3, Racecar.com (McLaren GT release) (2011-08) — First customers, 20 cars sold, £310,000, suppliers, test programme, 2011 races
- Hexis Racing claims momentous double victory with new 12C GT3, Racecar.com (McLaren GT release) (2012-05) — First wins, FIA GT1 Navarra
- Where the customer comes first, Motor Sport (2012-11) — 25 customer cars, reliability comment, homologation limits, 2012 results
- Official: 2013 McLaren 12C GT3, GTSpirit (2013-01) — MY13 changes, worldwide and collector availability, £325,000
- McLaren GT confirms production plans for limited-run 12C GT Can-Am Edition, GTSpirit (2012-11) — Can-Am Edition: up to 30 cars, £375,000, 630 hp, Woking, March 2013
- Kirkaldy: McLaren 'We can fight for victory', Sportscar365 (2014-07) — Electrical problems 2012, engine problems 2013, gearbox struggle, 650S as new homologation, upgrade numbers
- McLaren 650S GT3 revealed at Goodwood, AutoGuide (2014-06) — Upgrade package for 12C GT3 owners, 650S GT3 price and numbers
- 2012 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 (Lot 3079, Fort Lauderdale 2019), RM Sotheby's (2019-03) — Chassis 025, Xtrac/Ricardo gearbox, 493 hp, Can-Am launch car, bill of sale, $236,500
- 2012 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 (Lot 3049A, Auburn Fall 2019), RM Sotheby's (2019-09) — Ex-Boutsen Ginion car, spares over $75,000, bill of sale, $145,000
- 2013 McLaren 650S GT3 (ex 12C GT3 Can-Am) listing, P1 Groupe (2026-11) — 650S conversion, £150,000 kit claim, Xtrac 1529GT, 91.57 h, spares list, $189,900 asking
- For Sale: McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Racer, GTSpirit (2012-11) — Lawton Brook £299,000, 7,500 rpm limit, body construction
- Pole and a double finish for 12C GT3 at the gruelling Total 24 Hrs of Spa, Racecar.com (McLaren GT release) (2012-08) — 2012 Spa 24 Hours pole and finishes, attrition
- Masters Endurance Legends, Masters Historic Racing (2026) — Eligibility window, GT3 cars 2015–2019
- McLaren MP4-12C GT3 chassis 004, Taylor & Crawley (2026) — TAG-400 ECU, wheelbase, 2012 Von Ryan race record
- 2012 McLaren MP4-12C GT3, LBI Limited (2026) — Dealer claim of 40 GT3s produced; 2014 specification as raced
- Enhanced 12C GT3 continues winning streak as the European GT season gears up for 2013, The Auto Channel (McLaren GT release) (2013-03) — 38 podiums in 2012 with about half wins, 2013 teams and series
Did you know
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