2012 McLaren MP4-12C To Start at $231,400

Just the Facts:

• The 2012 McLaren MP4-12C will start at $231,400, including a $2,400 destination charge, when it goes on sale in the U.S. in late summer, McLaren Automotive announced on Thursday.
• The price does not include any gas-guzzler tax, which has not yet been calculated, the automaker told Inside Line.
• The pricing strategy positions the British supercar slightly ahead of such competitors as the Ferrari 458 Italia, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin V12 Vantage.

NEW YORK — The 2012 McLaren MP4-12C will start at $231,400, including a $2,400 destination charge, when it goes on sale in the U.S. in late summer, McLaren Automotive announced on Thursday.

Missing from the pricing announcement was an anticipated gas-guzzler tax.

"We are still working on our certification," wrote Lynne Arciero, McLaren Automotive spokesperson, in response to an e-mailed query from Inside Line. "There is a possibility we will avoid the gas-guzzler tax with the 12C, but we don't know just yet."

The EPA has not announced fuel economy numbers on the MP4-12C.

Arciero also noted that she had "no information on equipment/options yet." Options will include carbon-fiber mirror casings, engine bay panels and engine cover. Performance upgrades include a sports exhaust system, carbon-ceramic brake discs, polished-finish calipers and two lightweight forged wheel options.

The pricing strategy positions the British supercar ahead of such competitors as the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Bentley Continental GT and Ferrari 458 Italia. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage starts at $181,345; the Bentley Continental GT starts at $185,395 and the Ferrari 458 Italia starts at $227,325. All prices include destination.

McLaren announced European pricing for the MP4-12C in November. It sells for the U.S. equivalent of $236,593 in Germany and the U.S. equivalent of $265,723 in the United Kingdom.

The MP4-12C, which is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 592-horsepower 3.8-liter V8, will be offered in 17 exterior paint finishes. McLaren Automotive has set up 10 dealerships in North America. It announced on Thursday that its dealer network will include locations in Newport Beach, California and Philadelphia.

Inside Line says: Most observers were betting that the MP4-12C would start at around $245,000 in the U.S., so it's clear that McLaren is being sensitive to price — even in this rarefied atmosphere. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent