Mclaren 12C Spider Challenges Snowboarder in short film

To mark the start of deliveries of the 12C Spider in North America, McLaren Automotive has released a new short film. Shot at the notoriously treacherous Loveland Pass in Colorado, the 12C Spider navigates the tricky, snow-covered route “racing” against professional snowboarder Chanelle Sladics.

The 12C Spider is being driven in the video by Rhys Millen. The Native New Zealander is the current overall record holder for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, 2005 Formula Drift champion and 2008 Drifting World Champion. Rhys has appeared in over 500 commercials spanning 20 years and films including several appearances within the Fast and the Furious franchise, Indiana Jones and is currently working on a new film project soon to be released. “With a familiar back ground in Hill Climb competitions and a native New Zealander myself, on the eve of this 50 year celebration for McLaren it was an honour to have driven the 12C Spider up the twisty snowy mountain roads.”

Professional snowboarder Chanelle Sladics co-stars in the video, taking the 12C Spider to task as she takes the most direct route across the snow covered landscape. Sladics is an 8 time competitor at the winter X-Games and has hosted snowboarding competitions on ESPN.

At 11,990 feet (3,655 m) above sea level, Loveland is the highest mountain pass in the world that stays open during the winter months.

The video was produced and directed by J.F. Musial, Founder of Tangent Vector. Musial recently launched DRIVE, a YouTube channel focusing on creating original automotive content for the web.

The 12C Spider made its global debut in North America during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last year. The second model from the British high performance sportscar company is lightweight with a high powered engine which boasts 616 bhp, a unique Retractable Hard Top (RHT) folding roof system, and a carbon ‘MonoCell’ chassis identical to that of the groundbreaking 12C. The 3.8-litre V8 twin turbo engine is transmitted to the car’s rear driven wheels through a seven-speed SSG dual-clutch transmission.

A dedicated ‘Winter’ powertrain setting on the 12C and 12C Spider sets all electronic support systems to a maximum intervention level, with gearshift strategy and torque control optimised to limit any loss of traction.