Built around the Woking car maker’s ubiquitous Monocell II carbon-fibre tub, McLaren claims its new 570S Spider retains the same structural rigidity and identical aerodynamic performance as the coupé.
The new Spider is set to be powered by the M838TE 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 and seven-speed transmission as the coupé. With a power-to-weight ratio of 380hp per tonne, it falls short of the coupé, but trumps its potential competitors in the market such as the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. In performance it's similar to the coupé; the new 570S Spider can sprint from 0-100kmph in 3.2sec and has a maximum speed of 328kmph.
The car is endowed with configurable electronic chassis and drivetrain control systems, including the Active Dynamics Panel that offers three drive modes: Normal, Sport and Track. The car’s steering is electrohydraulically controlled and it uses McLaren’s brake steer technology with the ability to reduce understeer by braking the inside rear wheel, helping to tighten the car’s trajectory. The 570S Spider sits on all-new 10-spoke forged alloy wheels, 19in at the front and 20in at the rear with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.
It uses an electrically operated, two-part folding roof mechanism that’s similar to the one fitted to the 650S and 675 LT spiders. The roof folds beneath a tonneau cover, which features the car’s most significant design change compared with the coupé version.
The new Spider uses McLaren’s centre console-mounted 7.0in touchscreen, which houses the infotainment system and can control features such as cabin climate settings and audio system. Six-way adjustable sports seats are standard, but the reader can also opt for McLaren’s carbon-fibre shelled sports seats, which are the same as those fitted to the P1 hypercar.
The 570S Spider will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this month. Three new body colours are being added to the list of choices for the Spider, with Curacao Blur, Vega Blue and Sicilian Yellow taking the total colours offered to 20. The first 400 cars to be ordered by customers will be produced in a special launch-edition guise.