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Shipping your ultimate supercar – McLaren

Shipping your ultimate supercar – McLaren

The world of cars can be a messy place, if you try to classify all the different vehicles. For instance, a lot of people cannot say how a sedan differs from a coupe. And do not even get me started on the difference between jeeps, SUVs, and crossovers. When it comes to sports cars, thankfully there is a bit more clarity.

Among performance cars, people can usually distinguish three main categories. First, you have your regular models with a sporty high trim. BMWs with an M package fall in this category. Then you have the true sportscars – such as the Audi RS series. And finally, we go to a whole different league – the level of the supercars.

Here at Corsia Logistics we have had the pleasure of transporting two such beasts, namely McLaren 12C. Once you see them up close, you can easily tell there is something utterly fascinating about those vehicles.

Today we are going to explore just that. We will embark on a journey to learn more about the history of McLaren and how supercars push the limits of vehicle engineering. Hop on, and fasten your seatbelt!

The peculiar history of the supercar term

Taking a dive into the historical records can help us understand a lot about the world of vehicles. At least most of the time. Sadly, when it comes to supercars, things are not that straightforward. Nowadays we have a fairly clear understanding of what a supercar is. Back in the day though… everything was a bit confusing.

For starters, the term “supercar” has been used to describe a variety of different vehicles. At first, it was nothing more than an advertising trick – a car that is superior to all others.

This practice was taken up in the 1920s and has not really ceased to this day. Even now you can hear dealers trying to market a regular model as a “supercar”. Anyway, in more recent times (past the ‘60s) people started using the term in relation to faster sports cars. They did not mean high-grade luxuries though.

It was not until the end of the 20th century when we got the current definition of a supercar – a high-cost high-performance enthusiast vehicle.

The price of these cars can range from a quarter million on the “low end” to upwards of $3 million (in the case of Bugatti Chiron). Even the majority of enthusiasts would consider that steep. Not to mention that you get diminishing returns the more you spend.

With many sports cars, you can get similar performance for much less. For example, Audi RS6 can cost below one hundred grand. The difference in terms of power is minuscule though – a mere 0.8s more to get from 0 to 60 mph. And yet… a split second is what determines whether a vehicle will carry the “supercar” title. However, the price is the least interesting aspect of these cars. They have quite a lot more in store… Let’s see!

What makes supercars so impressive

A lot of folks wrongly presume that these vehicles are extravagant for extravagance’s sake. Undoubtedly, the price takes the blame here. But here is the thing – these cars are not for everyone. They are not even about being able to afford them. Instead, these vehicles are made to push boundaries.

Did you know that back in the day people believed a human cannot run a sub-4-minute mile? Nowadays that is rather the standard. In similar terms, many folks believed that cars cannot break the 3s acceleration barrier. And yet they did. The McLaren 12C, which we have shipped, managed to score 2.8s for accelerating from 0 to 62 mph.

To many of us, these are just numbers. Yet behind them lies a whole world of human ingenuity, perplexing engineering decisions, and body designs of unimaginable precision. No, supercars are not for every person. However, they are everyone’s success. A marvelous testament to what the human potential is capable of, whether you can afford such a car or not.

Of course, when it comes to personal taste, the story often changes. I am not usually a fan of sporty designs and prefer the muscles of old. That being said, I cannot close my eyes in front of the sheer beauty that one particular supercar has…

McLaren 12C – a sight to behold

It is high time that I tell you something about the vehicle, which made me want to write this article. This car woke my long lost love for slick sporty designs. With time I had grown tired of the sharp edges and aggressive looks that most sports cars were bathed in. As such the McLaren 12C was a breath of fresh air.

The technical specs of the car do not leave a lot to be desired. Yet it is the design that drew my attention. It strikes the right balance between curves and edges. Of course, its aerodynamic nature shines through, and yet functionality has not taken over aesthetics.

You will not find many supercars that stand up to par with the McLaren 12C’s looks. Some (I am looking at you, Bugatti Veyron) are beyond hideous. Others have not changed much over the years. For example, Ferrari and Lamborghini have many models, yet most are very similar to one another. They bore me for the most part, and McLaren does not get a pass in that regard either.

However, the 12C is a step in the right direction. It may carry McLaren’s design cues, but it has a character of its own. The design has blended elements from regular sports cars and supercars alike. Many compare it to McLaren F1 – the company’s greatest achievement, according to car enthusiasts. Speaking of which…

How McLaren crushed the supercar scene, died, and was reborn

McLaren’s history spans decades and yet it is remarkably unremarkable. Having its roots in Formula 1 vehicles, one would think that a regular sports car is a logical next step. Yet it took more than 20 years for the company to expand its reach beyond the racing scene. Thus, in 1985 McLaren Cars was founded with the goal of creating the ultimate road car.

Interestingly enough, McLaren struck incredible success right from the get-go with their first supercar – McLaren F1 in 1993. Yes, it took them 8 years to bring such a car to life, but at least they did it spectacularly. With amazing performance, slick looks, and an aura of exclusivity around it, it won the hearts of many. In a short while, it became apparent that McLaren Cars is a company with a lot to offer.

Now imagine the surprise when all of a sudden the company disappeared from the supercar scene. They ended the production of the F1 model in 1998 and seemingly hid under a rock. They did a few collaborations with Mercedes-Benz, but that whole relationship fell apart pretty quickly. Then out of the blue in 2010 McLaren Cars was relaunched as McLaren Automotive, and supercar manufacturing started anew.

In fact, McLaren 12C was the first model for the company after the F1. Unlike its predecessor though, the 12C was designed and built exclusively by McLaren. While the F1 had engines from different manufacturers, the 12C sports McLaren’s own motor. In a way, the 12C was McLaren’s statement that they are back in the game and are coming strong.

After that model, the company came up with several other series as well. They now target three slightly different markets – sports cars, supercars, and… hypercars. Confused? Let me clear things up!

Sports cars vs. supercars vs. hypercars

Like I have already said, the world of cars can be a messy place once we start labeling things. I would not blame you if you find it hard to keep track of all the definitions. I had trouble with that as well. So here is my short take.

In recent years many supercar manufacturers have also decided to target the luxury sports car market as well. For example, Lamborghini is now much more sports car-oriented than a supercar brand. But where is the difference?

For starters, sports cars are a bit cheaper than the cheapest supercars. Even top sports cars models should not go above $200,000, although there are exceptions. Obviously, the performance also falls a bit short of the supercar models. In any case, though, both sports cars and supercars are not daily drivers by any means.

As far as supercars go, we have already covered what these are. They have quite the hefty price tag and beastly performance to show for it. Now, hypercars go a step further – they are basically supercars on steroids. In all honesty, though, this entire segment is more of a marketing ploy. Companies want to charge more, so they come up with fancy terms. And different price categories to match, of course.

So think of hypercars as super luxurious vehicles that are focused primarily on performance, not comfort. They may be similar in price to Bentley or Rolls-Royce, but they differ in purpose.

How a McLaren supercar is shipped across country

shipping your ultimate supercar - McLaren

Here at Corsia Logistics we always take great care of all vehicles we ship, no matter the distance. Whether your supercar needs to travel between LA and Las Vegas or all the way across the country, it will receive the best quality service available.

That being said, some cars require a different kind of service. For example, the two McLaren 12C’s that we have transported, have taken advantage of our white glove car shipping service.

This kind of specialized auto transport is specifically designed for luxury and classic vehicles. It has many advantages, which explain its somewhat higher cost.

Firstly, the carrier trailer is only for a single car or two cars at most. Secondly, it is completely enclosed to protect the vehicle from weather and road dirt. That makes it an excellent choice for show cars that have to be transported in perfect aesthetic condition.

But tell me, if you had the chance, which supercar would you want to have shipped to you? Do you fancy the McLaren 12C, or do you prefer something different? I, for one, would not pass on an Audi R8 V10 either!

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Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
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Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
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Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
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I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
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Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
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Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
Cay Liptak
Clean, efficient, wonderful
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Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
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Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
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Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
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Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
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