McLaren lights up the supercar class with new 720S Spider

(December 10, 2018) McLaren Automotive, the British manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports cars and supercars, is expanding its Super Series product family with the introduction of a second new model and its most accomplished convertible supercar ever: the new 720S Spider. Revealed online this weekend and available to order with immediate effect, the new 720S Spider delivers the exhilaration of open-air driving and levels of day-to-day usability unseen in the convertible supercar class.

“The new McLaren 720S Spider offers an unparalleled blend of extreme performance, crafted luxury, driver involvement and daily usability – all with the additional exhilaration of open-air driving whenever required. As the most accomplished convertible supercar ever, the new Spider delivers across a remarkable spectrum of abilities to outstandingly high levels, and as lightest in class with an increase of just 108lbs over the 720S Coupé, moves us even further ahead of our competition in the weight race,” said Mike Flewitt, chief executive officer, McLaren Automotive.

The design foundations of the new McLaren Spider are the seamless and organic forms introduced in 2017 with the 720S Coupé. Combining to maximize downforce, minimize drag, enhance powertrain cooling and optimize aerodynamic performance, these shapes produce an overall appearance akin to a futuristic sculpture, formed by the air that flows over, under, around and through it. A new, electrically actuated Retractable Hard Top (RHT) is seamlessly integrated into the design, as are new buttresses.

Like all McLaren cars, the new 720S Spider has a carbon fibre structure at its core, in this case designated Monocage II-S. The strength, rigidity and light weight of the McLaren Monocage is the base for the dynamic excellence for which McLarens are renowned. The Monocage II-S is a development of the Coupé ’s Monocage II, without the central ‘spine’ running front to rear above the cabin.

The rearmost section of the upper structure is also unique to the Spider, to accommodate the Retractable Hard Top; additionally, the header rail across the top of the windscreen has been revised, to integrate the central latching mechanism.

McLaren’s engineering ingenuity, underpinned by the inherent strength and rigidity of carbon fibre, means that despite the removal of the fixed roof there is no need for additional strengthening; even the unusually slim but incredibly strong windscreen A-pillars first seen on the 720S Coupé remain.

To provide enhanced rollover protection for occupants, fixed carbon fibre structural supports are integrated into the rear of the Monocage II-S, additionally providing the main anchor points for the roof system and the seatbelts. In the first-generation Super Series, steel supports featured and the switch to carbon fibre has contributed to the Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) in the 720S Spider being 15lbs lighter than in the 650S.

Overall, the new 720S Spider is just 108 pounds — or less than 4% - heavier than the 720S Coupé. The increased weight is primarily associated with the RHT and tonneau system.



With a lightest dry weight of 2,937 pounds, the 720S Spider is comfortably the lightest car in its competitive set, at 194 pounds less than the 3,131 pounds dry weight of its closest rival. The low weight is the foundation for the dynamic, performance and efficiency benefits that McLaren is so adept at exploiting for the greater enjoyment of its customers.

The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 engine that powers the 720S Spider is unchanged from the Coupé. Mid-mounted for exceptional handling and purity of response, it produces 710 bhp and 568 lb ft torque and –given the lightest-in-class weight of the 720S Spider and resulting power-to-weight ratio of 533 bhp-per-ton at lightest dry weight — it is no surprise that performance is extreme.

Acceleration is nothing short of phenomenal, with 0-60 mph covered in 2.8 seconds and 0-124 mph achieved in just 7.9 seconds — just 0.1 seconds off the pace of the Coupé. The standing quarter mile sprint is dispatched in 10.4 seconds — again, only 0.1 seconds slower than the Coupé — and where conditions allow, the 720S Spider will continue accelerating to a Coupé-matching top speed of 212 mph with the roof raised.

Even with the roof lowered, maximum speed remains extraordinary at 202mph. The minor variations in performance arise from differing aerodynamics and the additional 108 pounds the Spider carries.

The canopy-like design of the 720S Coupé is recognized for the sense of 360-degree vision it provides, allowing light to flood into the cabin and setting a new benchmark for visibility. This philosophy of unrivaled vision is central to the second-generation Super Series and the new Spider moves the game on again, with unique, glazed flying buttresses further aiding driver visibility as well as adding visual drama to the car.

The leading edge of the buttress features an aerodynamic carrier to guide airflow, before dramatically tapering off to expose darkened glazing; the design and the use of glass delivers a 12% improvement in over-the-shoulder visibility compared to the previous McLaren Super Series Spider.

To accommodate the Retractable Hard Top, the Monocage II-S features a new carbon fibre upper structure engineered to sit as close as possible to the air charge coolers and intake plenum. This maximizes luggage space; there is two cubic feet of stowage available under the tonneau cover with the roof raised. The tonneau cover also sits lower than that of a 650S Spider — again by 0.87in– extending visibility by 24.6ft in length.

Deliveries to customers will begin in March withU.S. prices starting at $315,000.