Does the world really need another supercar?

By John LeBlanc McLaren Automotive officially became a full-on, legitimate supercar maker last week with the launch of its MP4-12C two-seat, mid-engine machine. We've already been fed the car's vital stats. This time, though, the all-new supercar company’s grande frommage, Ron Dennis, went to great lengths to highlight McLaren’s credentials: in Formula One since 1966, winning one-quarter of all races held; making the first carbon fibre F1 car in 1981 and the Mercedes-McLaren SLR, the first production road car with a carbon chassis, yada, yada, yada… McLaren will only have 35 stores in 19 countries next year, delivering only 1,000 MP4-12Cs in 2011. Apparently, two other cars are already in development. The dealers, pricing and final performance numbers for the MP4-12C will all be announced in the second half of this year. All fine and dandy. But does the world really need another supercar? Despite its success in F1, is McLaren’s lack of road car heritage a detriment going against the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche let alone Mercedes-Benz and Audi? Or do you think these established players need some competition? [Source: McLaren]

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