In its debut test at the Nurburgring, the MP4-12C has posted a 7:28 lap time, which was 4 seconds slower than the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, but full 10 seconds faster than the Ferrari 458 Italia.

The McLaren was driven by German magazine Sport Auto's editor-in-chief Horst von Saurma.

The lap time is a first indication that the 12C is among the fastest cars on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, as has been expected.