[dZired]

McLaren has unveiled a convertible version of its mid-size sports car - the 570S Spider. This marks the introduction of the third product in McLaren's Sports Series line-up, after the 570S coupe and 570GT.

The highlight of the 570S Spider is a retractable hardtop two-piece roof, which has been constructed using lightweight composite panels. The roof can be opened or closed electronically at speeds of up to 40 km/h. It takes 15 seconds to fold or unfold the two-piece hardtop roof.

McLaren claims that the Spider hasn’t been given any additional structural support to maintain the car's stiffness and strength. According to the manufacturer, the carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis on which all Sports Series cars are based has provided enough strength to the structure to maintain its rigidity without a fixed roof. As a result, the only weight increase made to the 570S Spider, as compared to the Coupe, is due to the addition of the roof folding mechanism that weighs 46kg.

Features on offer with the new McLaren convertible include a 10-inch TFT instrument cluster, a 7-inch IRIS touchscreen infotainment system, six-way adjustable electric seats and hand-stitched leather upholstery on the seats, door casings, dashboard and centre console. The rear spoiler has been mounted 12 mm higher than that of the coupe, in order to compensate for the aerodynamic change with the absence of a fixed roof.

Powering the McLaren 570S Spider is a rear mounted 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine that churns out 562 BHP @ 7,500 rpm and 600 Nm of peak torque @ 5,000-6,500 rpm. This engine is mated to a 7-speed gearbox. McLaren claims that the 570S Spider can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and can touch the 200 km/h mark in 9.6 seconds. The convertible has a company-claimed top speed of 328 km/h with the roof up and 315 km/h with the roof down.

The 570S Spider will make its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It is currently available for order across the globe, with prices starting from £164,750 in the UK.

Link to Team-BHP News