Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team has launched their MP4-24 F1 car at their homebase in Woking, UK earlier today.

The new F1 car has new bodywork following suit the new F1 regulations, slick tyres, the return of kinetic energy recovery system or KERS and a kickass new bodywork colors.

The MP4-24 is set for four public and one private test spanning these 12 weeks, with the first test to be held January 19-22nd at Portimao, Portugal.

Here are the specifics:

• 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 dashboard, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems
• Bodywork : One-piece engine cover and sidepod covers. Separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing
• Tyres : Bridgestone Potenza
• Radio : Kenwood
• Race wheels : Enkei
• Brake calipers : Akebono
• Brake master cylinders : Akebono
• Batteries : GS Yuasa Corporation
• Steering : McLaren power-assisted
• Instruments : McLaren Electronic Systems

Engine

• Type : Mercedes-Benz FO 108W
• Capacity : 2.4 litres
• Cylinders : 8
• Maximum rpm : 18,000 (FIA regulatory limit for 2009)
• Bank angle : 90°
• Piston bore maximum: 98mm (FIA regulation)
• Number of valves : 32
• Fuel : Mobil High Performance Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
• Lubricants : Mobil 1 – for higher performance, lower friction and better wear resistance
• Weight : 95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)

Transmission

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