McLaren has introduced the newest addition to its Sports Series range – the 570S Spider. The open top 570S joins the 540C, as well as the 570S coupe and 570GT, in the British marquee’s ‘entry-level’supercar line-up.
McLaren’s most ‘attainable’ Spider, the 570S employs the same roof mechanism as the one found in the elder siblings, the 650S and 675LT Spiders.The retractable hardtop takes 15seconds to open or close at speeds of up to 40kmph. Based on the carmaker’s Monocell II carbonfibre monocoque, the Spider is 46kg heavier than its coupe counterpart. Despite the weight gain, McLaren asserts that the Spider retains the same structural rigidity as the coupe.
The hardtop is stowed beneath a tweaked tonneau, which is the only change in appearance over the hard-top sibling. The mid-engine also has some aerodynamic changes such as the 12mm lowered rear spoiler to amend the Spider’s slightly different roof design. The characteristic dihedral doors have been retained.McLaren is offering three new body colours for the Spider, thus increasing the total colour options to 20.
No mechanical changes have been made to the Spider as it comes powered by the potent M838TE 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8. The seven-speed transmission channels all the 562bhp and 600Nm from to the rear wheels, sending the Spider from zero to 100kmph in just 3.8seconds. The top speed is 328kmph with the roof up, and drops to 315kmph with the roof down.
The Spider employs McLarens brake steer technology, with all the other driving aids such as active dynamic, performance traction control, latest chassis software and active dampers. The carbon ceramics brakes are standard along with Pirelli PZero Corsa tyres.The 570S Spider sits on all-new 10-spoke forged alloy wheels, 19-inchup front and 20-inch at the rear.
The Woking-based carmaker will debut the 570S Spider at the forthcoming 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Similar to the recently introduced 720S, the first 400units of the 570S Spider will be available in a special ‘launch edition’ guise. McLaren has put a price tag of £164,750 in the UK, which is at a premium of just £20,000 over the Coupe.
