McLaren MP4-12C to cost £168,500

McLaren will charge £168,500 for the MP4-12C supercar in the UK. That's the new 2011 price, including the rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20% from 1 January.

Today's news means that the MP4-12C will cost £1000 less than a Ferrari 458 Italia, its arch rival, at existing tax rates. The Italia supercar costs £169,546 in the UK today.

That suggests that the McLaren MP4-12C could significantly undercut the Ferrari if Maranello chooses to pass on the 2.5% tax rise to customers, as is likely.

Nobody from Ferrari was able to confirm whether they will be passing on the VAT rise to customers, which could add more than £4000 to the cost of the Italia. But prices are set centrally by the factory and history suggests the VAT rise will be added, much as they passed on the 2.5% cut during the recession.

If so, that could make the McLaren MP4-12C a chunky £5000 less than its nemesis from Maranello. Don't forget that the McLaren price doesn't include ceramic brake discs (standard on the 458) or the first registration fee (£55) and first year's VED tax disc (estimated at £950).

They're keeping their options open; all McLaren will say is 'first half of 2011.' The company is busy building its new assembly hall alongside Woking's Technical Centre and the company is loathe to pinpoint a date while construction continues.

By Tim Pollard