International media test-laps McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren invited a select group of international automotive journalists to check out the MP4-12C in this Web video.

February 16, 2011 2:20 PM PST Follow @kickashe

A few lucky members of the international automotive press in January got a chance to test-drive the MP4-12C supercar. The folks at McLaren Automotive just posted this video on YouTube.

The Surrey, U.K.-based automaker chose Algarve Motor Park in Portugal to give members of the media a chance to evaluate the car for themselves.

Formula One driver Jenson Button also gave journalists a thrill by lapping the track at speeds of more than 200 mph.

The MP4-12C sports a carbon fiber chassis and runs on a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8 generating 592 horsepower. McLaren plans a limited number of units, 1,000 per year, and they will run between $225K and $240K.

McLaren last year brought the supercar to California for CNET editors to check out.