McLaren MP4-12C Survives Autobahn Crash at 240 km/h
A 71-year-old driver walked away with minor injuries after crashing his McLaren MP4-12C at 240 km/h on Germany’s A95 Autobahn, scattering debris over 400 metres.
A McLaren MP4-12C travelling at 240 km/h crashed on the A95 Autobahn in Germany, leaving its 71-year-old driver with only a minor cut to his arm, according to German media reports. The crash, which took place at high speed, saw debris scattered across 400 metres of the motorway, forcing authorities to close the road for two and a half hours while the wreckage was cleared.
The incident highlights the structural strength of both the MP4-12C’s carbon fibre chassis and the Autobahn’s guardrail design. Despite the severity of the impact, the car’s safety engineering protected the occupant from life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash was reported as loss of control at speed, but no further details about contributing factors were provided.
MP4-12C: McLaren’s First Modern Supercar
Produced from 2011 to 2014, the McLaren MP4-12C was the British marque’s return to road car manufacturing after the F1. The rear mid-engined supercar used a carbon fibre composite chassis and a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, delivering 592 bhp and 601 Nm through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The coupe was capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and had a top speed of 333 km/h.
| Engine | 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 |
|---|---|
| Power | 592 bhp (441 kW) |
| Torque | 601 Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.0 seconds |
| Top speed | 333 km/h |
| Kerb weight | 1,434 kg |
Both coupe and roadster versions were available, with the MP4-12C marking McLaren’s re-entry into the supercar market. The car’s advanced safety cell, developed for both performance and protection, has been credited in this case for minimising injury in a crash that could easily have been fatal in a less robust vehicle.
