The McLaren MP4-23

At the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany today, McLaren revealed to the public the MP4-23, their F1 car for this season. This was just hours after the news that Ferrari F2008 was launched earlier today

The announcement also coincides with Lewis Hamilton’s 23rd birthday, who was present with Heikki Kovalainen at the Museum

The MP4-23 is planned to be shipped to Spain where it will be tested by Heikki Kovalainen and test driver Pedro de la Rosa at the Jerez circuit this coming Wednesday

Lewis Hamilton will only get to test drive it the next day

MP4-23 was developed 10 months ago in Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart

McLaren MP4-23 technical specification

engine

• Type: Mercedes-Benz FO 108V
• Capacity: 2.4 litre
• No. of cylinders: 8
• Max. rpm: 19,000 (FIA regulatory limit since 2007)
• Bank angle: 90 degrees
• Piston bore maximum: 98 mm (FIA regulation)
• Bore spacing: 106.5 mm
• Number of valves: 32
• Fuel: Mobil 1 Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
• Lubricants: Mobil 1, newly developed 2008 formula for lower friction and better wear resistance
• Engine: 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)

Transmission

• Gearbox Speeds: Seven forward and one reverse
• Semi-auto: Yes
• Driveshafts: McLaren
• Clutch :Hand-operated

Chassis

• McLaren moulded carbon fibre/aluminium honeycomb composite incorporating front and side impact structures. Contains integral safety fuel cell
• Front Suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
• Rear Suspension: Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
• Suspension Dampers: Koni
• Electronics: McLaren Electronic Systems control units incorporating electronics for chassis, engine and data acquisition. McLaren Electronic Systems also supplies the electronic dash board, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems

Bodywork Construction

• One-piece engine cover; separate sidepod covers; separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing.
• Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
• Radios: Kenwood
• Race Wheels:Enkei
• Batteries: GS Yuasa Corporation
• Steering: McLaren power-assisted
• Instruments: McLaren Electronic Systems