# Featherweight Track Car Concepts The McLaren 12C Can-Am Takes Cues From F1 Cars By Michael Hines | Published 2012-08-16 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mclaren-12c-canam References: [carbuzz](http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2012/8/15/McLaren-s-Radical-12C-Can-Am-Edition-Concept-7710264/) & [mclarengt](http://mclarengt.com/) The McLaren 12C Can-Am has been revealed online before its official debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 19th. McLaren GT's newest concept is based off of the 12C GT3 and is meant for the track. The 12C Can-Am has been designed to be as light as possible, coming in at just under 2,650 pounds. McLaren shaved off the weight by using carbon fiber on the front splitter, rear wing and integrated rear diffuser. The 3.8 liter biturbo V8 engine has been given an ECU overhaul to boost its total horsepower to 630. Inside, the McLaren 12C Can-Am comes equipped with AC, six-point racing harnesses for each seat and a steering wheel that looks suspiciously like the one in Lewis Hamilton's MP4-24 F1 race car. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Featherweight Track Cars:** The trend towards ultra-lightweight and aerodynamic track cars presents opportunities for innovation in materials, engine technology, and safety features. - **Carbon Fiber Components:** The increasing use of carbon fiber in high-performance vehicles presents opportunities for innovation in material production, design, and manufacturing techniques. - **ECU Tuning for Increased Horsepower:** The trend towards electronic control unit (ECU) tuning to increase horsepower in high-performance vehicles presents opportunities for innovation in software development and engine management technology. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive:** The automotive industry must embrace lightweight and aerodynamic design, carbon fiber production, and ECU tuning to remain competitive in the high-performance track car market. - **Aerospace:** Aerospace companies with advanced materials expertise may consider entering the automotive market to produce, design, and manufacture lightweight and aerodynamic components such as carbon fiber. - **Software Development:** Software developers with experience in engine management technology may find opportunities in the high-performance automotive industry through the development of advanced ECU tuning software and systems. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Camouflaged Track-Racing Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artura-gt4.md) - [Track-Focused Hypercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project24.md) - [Brutish Skeletal Supercar Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mclaren-570s-concept.md) - [Industry-Leading Hybrid Supercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mclaren-w1.md) - [Canada-Celebrating Supercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canada-10th-anniversary.md) - [Luxury Game-Inspired Hypercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solus-gt.md) - [Track-Ready Sports Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gt-black-series.md) - [Vegas-Themed Supercars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-viva.md) - [Stealth Racer Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lamborghini-f1-concept.md)