McLaren Spider is out in the open

09th October 2009

It's only just been revealed to the public... but the new McLaren has already blown its top! Auto Express has learned that the Surrey-based company is planning to produce a Spider version of its MP4-12C supercar. And here is an exclusive look at how the stunning drop-top will look.

Going head-to-head with the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and forthcoming Mercedes SLS AMG Cabriolet, the McLaren will boast a retractable hard-top, potentially the work of convertible expert Webasto. Layouts released of the firm’s new Woking factory show that an area of the facility has been devoted to ‘RHT [retractable hard-top] Sub Assembly’.

The tiny hood is likely to be made from lightweight aluminium or even carbon fibre, and will fold away behind the occupants’ heads ahead of the engine, slotting neatly beneath a pair of sporty buttresses.

The Spider is unlikely to weigh much more than its fixed-roof brother.

It will be powered by the same 600bhp 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, and should reach 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and accelerate on to 200mph – roof-up, of course. But the model won’t come cheap – buyers will have to pay a significant premium over the £150,000 coupé version, with prices likely to start at around £175,000.

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