The 2019 McLaren 720S Spider, the convertible that retains the performance of the coupe
In July 2018, McLaren announced a framework for how the brand would evolve and grow through 2015. The plan calls for 25 new models in the coming years. At the heart of the ‘Track25” Plan is a roadmap of future vehicles, technology, and production volumes that will position the brand at a top player in the global hyper-car and supercar market. The McLaren 720S Spider is an important part of the plan.
The first vehicle in the plan, the McLaren SpeedTail was released last month. Intended as a successor to McLaren’s legendary F1, the SpeedTail will posses cutting edge carbon fiber and hybrid technology. Like the McLaren F1, the McLaren SpeedTail will be limited to just 106 units.
The McLaren 720S
Since the modern McLaren, first reemerged with the McLaren MP4-12C in 2011, the British automotive manufacturer has been steadily improving upon its fleet of hyper-cars and supercars.
At the top of its ‘Super Series’ line of high performance vehicles is the McLaren 720S. Unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show and released a month later, the McLaren 720S is powered by a highly refined 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 engine that puts out 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque.
Rumored to put out actual performance figures in excess of reported figures, the 720S rockets from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. From standstill to 124 miles per hour takes just 7.8 seconds and accelerates to a top speed of 212 miles per hour.
The McLaren 720S utilizes a reinforced carbon fiber tub that is present across the entire range of vehicles. To this point, the McLaren 720S was available as only in coupe form.
The McLaren 720S Spider
Amidst great anticipation, McLaren released the convertible version of the McLaren 720S, the McLaren 720S Spider. This is also the second vehicle in McLaren’s Track25 business plan.
Utilizing a new and extremely strong carbon fiber tub or monocoque, the 720S Spider features an integrated rollover protection structure that seeks to retain the 720S’ driving dynamics. Since no additional reinforcement was needed over what is incorporated in the carbon fiber tub of the coupe, the 720S Spider weighs just 108 pounds more than the hardtop version.
The weight of the Spider is kept at a minimum through the use of a carbon fiber roof system that uses an electric actuating system rather than a hydraulic one. This enables the roof mechanism to be raised and lowered in just 11 seconds up to 31 miles per hour. The retractable hard top is available with carbon fiber top or with a glazed monochromatic glass panel that can switch from tinted to transparent states at the touch of a button.
Comparable performance to the McLaren 720S
Convertibles often come with a performance disadvantage over the coupe versions because of the added weight. Not so with the 720S Spider. Acceleration from 0 to 60 in the Spider is the same as with the 720S at 2.8 seconds. From standstill to 124 miles per hour, it takes just 7.9 seconds and like the coupe, the Spider accelerates all the way up to 212 miles per hour with the top up. With the roof lowered, top speed is reduced just 10 miles per hour at 202 miles per hour.
Deliveries of the McLaren 720S Spider are scheduled to begin in March 2019 with pricing starting from $315,000.
I expect the “soft top” version of the McLaren 720S Spider to be comparable to the 720S; breathtaking. What do you think?
