McLaren 765LT Spider hits Oz

Australian pricing and specification details have been announced for the new McLaren 765LT Spider, which has just touched down locally.

Like the existing McLaren 765LT Coupe, the hot new British drop-top supercar is limited to just 765 examples globally and expected to sell out quickly.

That’s despite a hefty Australian price tag of $684,900 plus on-road costs, which marks a $75,000 premium over its fixed-roof sibling.

However, the McLaren 765LT (for LongTail) is no ordinary convertible. In fact, the British car-maker claims the 765LT is its fastest drop-top to-date.

Weighing in at only 1388kg, the 765LT Spider is 49kg heavier than a 765LT coupe but 80kg less than the 720S Spider.

It comes with extreme weight-saving measures including a carbon-fibre folding roof, however, the coupe’s glass flying buttresses remain and the rear window can still be lowered to allow occupants to hear more of the standard titanium sports exhaust.

Lowering the roof takes just 11 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h, and to save weight the single roof panel has a noise-reducing foam core built in.

The new Spider’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 is shared with the coupe, outputting an identical 563kW and 800Nm and matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Even with the extra weight, the 765LT Spider is capable of matching the coupe's claimed 2.8sec 0-100km/h time and its 7.2sec sprint to 200km/h.

With that kind of performance, the 765LT invariably finds itself in a class of one; the coupe’s most referred-to competitor is the limited-edition Porsche 911 GT2 RS, which is sold out and only available in coupe form.

Washing off speed is another strong point thanks to a set of 392mm carbon ceramic discs up front with six-piston Monobloc callipers, aided by 381mm rotors and four-piston callipers at the rear.

Similarly, there’s air-bending aero designed for high speed grip and stability, including a front splitter and bumper, side skirts and door blades, plus a rear diffuser/bumper.

The McLaren 765LT Spider also sports the same active Longtail rear wing as the coupe, but it has been recalibrated to account for whether it is travelling with the roof up or down.

Extreme weight-saving measures also transcend the cabin, in the form of two lightweight Alcantara-wrapped seats and door nets in place of pockets. The floor carpets, air-conditioning and audio system have also been deleted.

Both the climate-control and sound systems can be added back in, the latter being a no-cost option including Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition operated though the standard 8.0-inch infotainment system.

Also helping save weight is a pair of lighter doors compared to the coupe. They miss out on the upper carbon-fibre frame and only need a single hinge to open.

You can also expect a full range of personalisation options via the McLaren Special Operations team, including a Clubsport pack that incorporates yet more weight-saving measures and carbon bucket seats from the Senna hypercar.

Optional carbon-ceramic brakes and a track telemetry system can also be added.

The McLaren 765LT Spider is backed by a three-year, unlimited-km warranty as standard in Australia, plus the option of an extended warranty program stretching as far as 10 years.

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