With expert tuition from the F1 drivers, a fleet of journalists were able to get an up close and personal feeling of what the new supercar was capable of on the private track at Dunsfold Park.

The McLaren MP4-12C has been unveiled as the first in a range of high-performance sports cars from McLaren Automotive, the independent car division based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey. Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive Chairman, has announced his plans for the ultimate line-up of technology led sports car saying "it's a long-held dream of mine to launch high performance sports cars that set new standards in the industry."

The new McLaren supercar can reach maximum speeds of 205mph utilising a mid-mounted 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 which pumps out 592 bhp and 442 lb-ft of torque. It also weighs less than 3000lbs, which means it will rocket from 0-60 in 3.1 seconds, and will complete a quarter mile in less than 11 seconds. However, all of this comes at a premium. Set to go on sale this spring, the MP4-12C has a starting price of between £125,000 and £175,000 and will feature innovative technical and customer-focused engineering and design that will offer new levels of performance in its price bracket.

Famous faces at the launch included BBC presenter, Vernon Kay and former F1 Boss and ITV commentator Eddie Jordan, who both got to test their metal in the MP4-12C.

Jamie McAllister, Development Director, Dunsfold Park comments: "Dunsfold Park has become an internationally renowned demonstration centre for famous cars and drivers over the last five years thanks in part to its connection with Top Gear but also because of the private and unique nature of the airfield. Despite wet weather hampering some of the speed demonstrations of the MP4-12C, the launch went off without a hitch."