To produce a state-of-the-art supercar, nothing less than a state-of-the-art production facility will do.

Until recently, production of the McLaren MP4-12C has been handled in the cramped confines of the McLaren Technology Center (MTC), not an ideal situation for the larger production volumes required for the supercar.

To this end, McLaren has been working on a new facility next door, now open as the McLaren Production Center (MPC). It has cost McLaren $78 million and according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), will add 300 jobs to McLaren's 500-strong workforce.

As supercars go, the MP4-12C is quite fuel-efficient, so it's natural that McLaren wanted a more environmentally-friendly facility too.

Low-energy paints used in the 12C can be cooled mainly through natural air-flow inside the building, and the roof is designed to collect rainwater for use in cooling.

The environmental impact is low outside too - contouring of the landscape hides the 8-acre site from view of a nearby recreation spot and much of the soil excavated on-site was re-used elsewhere on-site. 820 new trees were planted and 68 mature trees were transplanted so as not to affect local birdlife. Even grass was chosen to complement the local scenery.

The MP4-12C has recently struck a blow for fuel-efficiency even in the previously gas-guzzling supercar class by achieving 22mpg highway, making it exempt from gas-guzzler tax. Its main rival, Ferrari's 458 Italia, lands owners with a $3,000 bill thanks to its 18mpg highway rating.

Using a carbon-fiber chassis that can be manufactured in only 4 hours its construction is suitably high-tech and light-weight. Top speed is a little over 200mph and 60mph arrives in only 3.2 seconds.

For those lucky enough to be on the waiting list, a $229,000 hole will appear in their bank accounts.