McLaren MP4-12C Spider: Official pics and specs

McLaren has released the first official images of its drop-top MP4-12C Spider, along with full technical specs for the Ferrari 458 Spider rival.

The key numbers are a 0-100km/h dash of 3.1 seconds, matching that of its coupe sibling, and a 0-200km/h acceleration time of nine seconds – just 0.2 seconds adrift of its hard-hatted brother. Meanwhile, v-max is quoted at 329km/h with the roof up and 315km/h in open-top configuration.

The roof itself is a retractable hard-top that can be operated at speeds of up to 30km/h. Given that the 12C was designed originally as a convertible, the 75kg ‘Monocell’ required no additional strengthening, so the weight penalty for adding in the folding hardtop is a mere 40kg, which explains why the Spider’s performance hasn’t been compromised.

The folding lid is operated using a switch in the lower section of the centre console inside the cabin, taking less than 17 seconds to raise or lower.

Behind driver and passenger sits a rear windscreen that may also be electronically lowered and raised. With the roof lowered this acts as wind deflector to minimise buffeting and noise within the cabin.

With the roof raised the rear window can be lowered, allowing the exhilarating noise of the 12C Spider’s twin-turbo V8 engine to flood the cabin on demand at any time. Adding to the drama, a clear view of the 12C Spider’s lightweight M838T power plant is provided by the glass screen positioned behind the tonneau cover.

With the roof raised the area under the tonneau can be used as an additional luggage area that provides 52 litres of storage space. Bespoke luggage has been designed specifically to fit this space and is supplied as standard with every 12C Spider.

The 12C Spider also features a passive Roll Over Protection System to maximise occupant safety, and each buttress contains a steel structure designed to absorb impact energy and protect both driver and passenger.

As per the recently enhanced 12C coupe, the Spider gains an uprated 460kW version of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, along with a tweaked seven-speed dual-clutch sequential gearbox that allegedly provides faster shifts than before.

Australian deliveries of the 12C Spider commence in the first quarter of next year, with a starting price of $543,900 – a premium of $50k over the coupe.

McLaren Automotive managing director Antony Sheriff says: “While the 12C is the technological essence of a race car, the 12C Spider incorporates an additional dimension. 12C Spider owners will love the opportunity to lower the roof and hear the unhindered howl of a V8 twin-turbo engine at full throttle. It undoubtedly enhances an already euphoric 12C driving experience.”

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