McLaren MP4/2
Twenty-two wins and three drivers' titles in three seasons came from this TAG-Porsche turbo McLaren for Niki Lauda and Alain Prost.
- Power
- 650 bhp
About the McLaren MP4/2
John Barnard's MP4/2 combined a carbon fibre chassis with the 1.5-litre TAG V6 turbo that Porsche built to his specification, rated at around 650 bhp in 1984 race trim. Efficient aerodynamics, carbon brakes and good economy within the 220-litre fuel limit gave Niki Lauda and Alain Prost 12 wins in 1984, then a record for one team in a season, and McLaren won the Constructors' title in 1984 and 1985. Lauda beat Prost to the 1984 title by half a point, and Prost won the championship in the MP4/2B in 1985 and the MP4/2C in 1986. The car often raced better than it qualified, as McLaren was the only top team not to use special qualifying engines.
McLaren MP4/2 specs
The McLaren MP4/2 produces 650 bhp (485 kW).
| Make | McLaren |
|---|---|
| Model | MP4/2 |
| Years | 1984–1986 |
| Type | Race car |
| Body style | Open-wheel single-seater |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Engine | 1.5L twin-turbocharged V6 (TAG-Porsche TTE PO1) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,499 cc (1.5 litres) |
| Induction | Twin-turbocharged |
| Power | 650 bhp (485 kW) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 540 kg (1,190 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 1204 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
McLaren MP4/2 rarity in CarSpot
The McLaren MP4/2 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 42 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
McLaren MP4/2 fun facts
- At Kyalami in 1984 Lauda and Prost finished first and second and lapped the entire field, even though Prost started from the pit lane in the spare car.
- Clive James summed up 1984 on the official season review: 'Anything as fast as the McLarens fell apart, anything as reliable finished later.'
- The three versions won the Austrian Grand Prix in successive years, starting with Lauda's only win on home soil in 1984.
