After the FIA introduced new engine regulations for Formula 1 cars in late 1987, teams using turbocharged engines encountered some difficulties. The FIA not only tightened restrictions on turbocharged engines, but also decided to officially ban them in 1989. While most teams turned to naturally aspirated engines after receiving the new regulations, McLaren's designers saw a different side of the turbocharged engines. With the idea that the center of gravity and drag of a Formula 1 car would get lower and smaller, McLaren lowered the vehicle as much as possible, lengthened the front and changed the driver's seat angle from 45 degrees to 30 degrees. At the same time, McLaren started cooperation with Honda. The RA168E turbocharged engine was perfectly integrated with the bodywork design. Thus a very competitive racing car, the McLaren MP4/4 was born.
The drivers who made the McLaren MP4/4 a true legend were the genius Ayrton Senna and 'The Professor' Alain Prost. Driven by these two top drivers, the McLaren MP4/4 took most victories in 1988. The two drivers took turns to take the victories. In this season, Senna won his first Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship and McLaren won Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship with a total of 199 points. A legend was born!
Licensed by McLaren Racing Limited, MENG will soon release a large scale racing car model kit, the RS-004 1/12 McLaren MP4/4 1988. The finished model will be 367mm long and 177mm wide. This kit includes fine decals, carbon-fiber decals and also metallic effect decals. You have the options to build the model as the car driven by Ayrton Senna or Alain Prost.
This kit is a highly detailed replica. Features: steering wheel/front wheels are connected by steering mechanism & rotate in linkage, front wing & carbon nosebox are removable, upper bodywork is injected in one piece. Includes metal wishbones, steering track rods, pullrods, steering column, vinyl tires, stainless steel photo-etch radiator, fabric material safety belts, reflective mirror foils, carbon-fiber & metallic effect decals,optional driver decals (Ayrton Senna or Alain Prost), detailed RA168E 1.5L V6 turbocharged engine.
