McLaren MP4-12C to cost from £168,500

Get your chequebooks or credit cards ready, or prepare to sell that spare kidney – the McLaren MP4-12C prices have been announced, and the British supercar is going to cost from £168,500.

The MP4-12C goes on sale in the UK and Europe from spring 2011, and is priced to directly compete with the Ferrari 458 Italia, which costs £169,546.

Anthony Sheriff, managing director of McLaren Automotive feels that the MP4-12C is the best value offering in its class though, saying: "With a unique carbon chassis as the foundation, and a powerful, but highly efficient McLaren engine at its heart, the 12C offers staggering value: no other carbon-based car can compete at this price-point, or with the 12C's technology and performance."

Although the pricing looks at first glance to be cheaper than the Ferrari 458, the £168,500 does not include the mandatory VED charge of £950 or a first registration fee of £55, bringing the two cars closer in price. Another thing to bear in mind is that Ferrari's price is still at the 17.5 percent VAT rate, while McLaren's is at the 20 percent level. A Ferrari spokesman also pointed out that the McLaren doesn't come with ceramic brakes as standard, while the 458 does.

The MP4-12C comes with a 3.8-litre engine that will produce more than 590bhp, and will offer a host of customisation options. There will be a choice of 17 colours, including the McLaren Orange, and 14 interior trims.

Performance upgrades include a sports exhaust system, carbon ceramic brake discs, polished-finish callipers and two lightweight forged wheel options. The only carbon on the basic car will be the chassis, but there is the option to festoon the lightweight material around the cabin, including on the mirror casings, engine bay panels and engine cover.

Prices for the options will be available at launch, when the MP4-12C will be available from retailers in London, Birmingham and Manchester.