McLaren Reveals MP4-12C Spider with Retractable Hard Top

McLarenMcLarenUnited Kingdom, 1963 > present92 models
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has revealed the new MP4-12C SpiderMcLaren MP4-12C SpiderUnited Kingdom, 2012 > present10 photos
1 video
using the same engine and chassis as the regular car but adding a retractable hard top and a slightly redesigned exterior with buttresses that double as roll bars. 

The Spider retains the glass panel that makes the engine visible. The MP4-12CMcLaren MP4-12CUnited Kingdom, 2012 > present544 photos
was planned with a convertible version in mind from the beginning. It takes no extra chassis strengthening, and the top and its motors add 40kg to the total weight. The roof takes 17 seconds to open or close and can be operated at up to 30km/h. There is an electrically operable windscreen behind the driver to minimize wind in the cabin. This panel is part of the roof when it is up and can still be lowered to allow engine noise in, even when the top is up. McLaren also added buttresses behind the driver and passenger that are tied into the chassis and act as roll over protection. All Spiders will come with bespoke luggage that fits in the rear even with the top down. 

The carbon fiber monocoque and 616hp engine from the standard car remain on the Spider. Both cars accelerate to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds, but the Spider is slightly slower from there on. It takes 6.1 seconds to get to 161km/h compared to 6.0 seconds for the standard MP4-12C, and it takes 9.0 seconds to get to 200km/h versus 8.8 seconds for the standard car. The quarter mile time is slightly slower at 10.8 seconds versus 10.6 seconds, and the top speed for the convertible is 204mph compared to 207mph. Both cars have the same fuel economy and emissions at 11.7l/100km and 279g/km of CO2. 

Options for the Spider include 17 colors, semi-aniline leather and Alcantara interior, diamond cut-finish wheels and vehicle lift to get over speed bumps, 

The configurator for the Spider is available now on McLaren's web site if you would like to build your own. It is taking orders now worldwide and deliveries will begin in November. McLaren has not announced a base price for the Spider yet, but it will probably be slightly higher than the  £168,500 base price for the standard MP4-12C.