McLaren has finally lifted the wraps off its eagerly awaited MP4-12C Spider.
Underpinned by the same lightweight MonoCell chassis as the MP4-12C coupe and powered by the twin-turbo 3,8-litre V8, which now produces 459 kW and 600 N.m of torque courtesy of a recent upgrade across the MP4-12C range, the Spider looks to add another dimension to the company’s supercar stable.
Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director said:
“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.”
According to McLaren, the MP4-12C was originally conceived as a convertible model, so the one-piece MonoCell moulded chassis requires no additional strengthening for it to feature in the 12C Spider. As such, the spider only weighs around 40 kg more than the coupe and returns similar levels of performance. The spider despatches the 0-100 km/h run in a claimed 3,1 seconds (the same figure claimed for the coupe), 0-161 km/h takes 6,1 seconds versus the coupe’s 6,0 seconds, while the Spiders top speed is just 4 km/h shy of the coupe’s at 329 km/h.
Comparative performance figures
| <align=”centre”> </align=”centre”> | McLaren MP4-12C Spider (459 kW) | McLaren MP4-12C (459 kW) |
| 0-100 km/h | 3,1 secs | 3,1 secs |
| 0-161 km/h | 6,1 secs | 6,0 secs |
| 0-200 km/h | 9,0 secs | 8,8 secs |
| quarter-mile (400 m) | 10,8 secs @ 216 km/h | 10,6 secs @ 219 km/h |
| V max | 329 km/h | 333 km/h |
| Fuel efficiency (l/100 km) | 11,7 | 11,7 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 279 | 279 |
The Spider features a passive Roll Over Protection System (an impact absorbing steel structure inside the A-pillars) to maximise occupant safety.
The Spider’s RHT (Retractable Hard Top) roof is a lightweight three-piece item that can be raised or lowered in around 17 seconds at speeds of up to 30 km/h. When the roof is raised, the space beneath the tonneau cover serves up a handy 52 dm3 of storage space that can be occupied by a bespoke luggage set provided with each Spider that is specifically designed to occupy that space. There is also a glass panel behind the headrests that can be electronically lowered whether the roof is up or down allowing the occupants to take in the V8 at full chat.
The spider will initially be offered in Volcano Red (pictured) as one of 17 exterior colours and the optional Volcano Yellow – part of the “Elite” colour line-up. Both the Spider and coupe receive a number of interior upgrades for the 2013 model year; including semi-aniline perforated leather and Alcantara trim in a range of combinations.
Both the Spider and coupe will also be offered with the option of a Vehicle Lift pack that can raise the car by 40 mm at the front and 25 mm at the rear for improved ground clearance at speeds of up to 60 km/h.
The McLaren MP4-12C Spider is now available to order at all of McLaren’s 38 retailers in 22 countries worldwide, with deliveries to first customers planned for November 2012.
