McLaren lifts lid on its new 570S Spider
Drop-top supercar can do speeds of 204mph and has 'no performance compromises'
McLaren has taken the wraps off its new 570S Spider, the British carmaker's cheapest drop-top supercar currently available.
It's based on the regular 570S that sits at the top of the company's Sports Series range, just above the slightly less powerful 540C.
Unlike many convertible versions of hard-top cars, which often need extra weight to improve body stiffness, McLaren claims there are "no performance compromises" between the regular 570S hard-top and the Spider variant.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This is because the car is built around a carbon fibre structure, which is strong enough to maintain the car's body stiffness without a roof.
The 570S Spider is powered by the same 3.8-litre V8 engine that has been fitted to all of McLaren's recent cars except the new 720S.
The mid-mounted engine produces 562bhp and 443lb-ft of torque, says AutoExpress, which is directed towards the rear-axle through a seven-speed automatic gearbox. This helps the Spider go from zero to 62mph in just 3.2secs and on to a top speed of 204mph "with the roof in place".
"The retractable folding roof is made up of two panels constructed from lightweight composite materials", the magazine says. Retracting the roof takes 15 seconds and "can be operated at speeds up to 25mph."
McLaren hasn't introduced any noticeable exterior tweaks to the Spider, says Evo, although a small carbon fibre lip at the rear has been fitted to "retain a similar downforce rating as on the standard hardtop model".
The car also comes with a new set of alloy wheels. Three new colours will also be available at launch, adds the magazine.
Orders for the 570S Spider are open now, with prices starting at £164,750. That's around £20,000 more than the coupe it's based on and £30,000 more than the car's Audi R8 V10 Spyder rival.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Audi Q8 e-tron review: what the car critics say
feature Audi’s new electric SUV is a ‘pleasant’ but ‘unremarkable’ drive
By The Week Staff Published
-
Audi A8 60 TFSI e review: what the car critics say
feature This hybrid Audi A8 balances refinement, strong performance and impressive efficiency
By The Week Staff Published
-
Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron review: a smart, practical electric SUV
The Week Recommends The Sportback version of Audi’s compact EV adds more dynamic styling for minimal sacrifice of space
By Holden Frith Published
-
McLaren GT Ride-On: a cool new supercar for kids
The Week Recommends It’s the fourth model in McLaren’s children’s toy range
By The Week Staff Published
-
Audi Q4 e-Tron: a superlative electric SUV
feature The German carmaker has finally got the details right for its electric-only models
By The Week Staff Published
-
McLaren’s 765LT is its spiciest model yet
Speed Read The 765LT is a real wild ride, but it’s not too hot to handle
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Audi Q8 review: an SUV that’s easy on the eye and effortless to drive
The Week Recommends The Vorsprung model is unquestionably costly, but you can’t put a price on peace of mind
By Fergus Scholes Published
-
McLaren Senna Ride-On: the ultimate electric toy car of 2020
Speed Read This supercar for kids is so cool that even F1 star Lando Norris jumped at the chance to take it for a spin
By Mike Starling Last updated