The first design meeting for the MP4-23 took place back in November 2006 with early layout work starting in March 2007.
Wind tunnel work commenced in late May 2007.
Since then the MP4-23 has spent over 3000 hours being developed in the wind tunnel.
The first MP4-23 chassis was ready for bonding in mid November 2007.
Lewis Hamilton, Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett had their provisional seat fittings for the MP4-23 back in September 2007. Heikki Kovalainen was fitted for his seat shortly after being announced as a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver.
The car build process for chassis 1 began in early December 2007 and was finished in early January 2008.
Throughout the development process 150 different engineers have been involved in the whole project in all disciplines.
14000 engineering man hours have so far been put into the MP4-23 development project.
A similar number applies to the manufacturing man hours involved to produce the MP4-23 in time for its track debut on the 9th January 2008.
The MP4-23 is an evolution of the MP4-22 and as such there is no significant visual difference currently, however between now and the first race in Australia there are planned upgrades on most of the aerodynamic surfaces, wings, bodywork, bargeboards and additional bodywork components.
Alongside the development of the 2008 challenger, concept work has been started for the 2009 car since November 2007, with the KERS project (energy storage) beginning a year ago.
McLaren MP4-23 technical specification - engine:
Type
Mercedes-Benz FO 108V
Capacity
2.4 litre
No. of cylinders
8
Max. rpm
19,000 (FIA regulatory limit since 2007)
Bank angle
90 degrees
Piston bore maximum
98 mm (FIA regulation)
Bore spacing
106.5 mm
Number of valves
32
Fuel
Mobil 1 Unleaded (5.75% bio fuel)
Lubricants
Mobil 1, newly developed 2008 formula for lower friction and better wear resistance
Engine
95kg (minimum FIA regulation weight)
Transmission:
Gearbox Speeds
Seven forward and one reverse
Semi-auto
Yes
Driveshafts
McLaren
Clutch
Hand-operated
Chassis:
McLaren moulded carbon fibre/aluminium honeycomb composite incorporating front and side impact structures. Contains integral safety fuel cell
Front Suspension
Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Rear Suspension
Inboard torsion bar/damper system operated by pushrod and bell crank with a double wishbone arrangement
Suspension Dampers
Koni
Electronics
McLaren Electronic Systems control units incorporating electronics for chassis, engine and data acquisition. McLaren Electronic Systems also supplies the electronic dash board, alternator voltage control, sensors, data analysis and telemetry systems
Bodywork Construction:
One-piece engine cover; separate sidepod covers; separate floor section, structural nose with integral front wing.
Tyres
Bridgestone Potenza
Radios
Kenwood
Race Wheels
Enkei
Batteries
GS Yuasa Corporation
Steering
McLaren power-assisted
Instruments
McLaren Electronic Systems
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