What's all this about?
It's the expected, but still excellent, news that McLaren is extending the 570S Sports Series line-up from two to three cars with the addition of this, the open-top Spider model.
Ooh, lovely! But it is heavy?
Nope, a mere 46kg more, according to McLaren. This minimal increase is courtesy of a two-piece retractable hard-top made of composite panels - just like the same lids on the 650S and 675LT Spiders - that can be raised and lowered on the move at speeds of up to 25mph. In just 15 seconds, too. Nice. McLaren's fabled MonoCell II carbon-fibre structure is what allows the 570S to keep the kilos off, as it doesn't need a load of additional bracing to compensate for its convertible nature.
Excellent. Has anything else changed on the body of this 570S?
The rear spoiler is longer and 12mm higher than that on the Coupe, to account for the altered body shape of the 570S Spider, while it has a rear windscreen/wind deflector arrangement that can be put up or down independently of the roof; pop it up with the hood down and it cuts out buffeting, slide it down with the hood up to allow fresh air to enter the cabin from somewhere other than the side windows.
Is that it for exterior changes?
Yes, although Curacao Blue, Vega Blue and Sicilian Yellow are three new colours for 570S Spider customers to choose from, while the 10-spoke lightweight forged alloys are a design specific to the convertible McLaren. They're also mismatched on the axles, being 19s front and 20s rear.
How about within?
Exactly the same as a 570S Coupe, only with the addition of one switch to lower and raise the top, and another to control that rear screen. That means a luxurious and well-appointed interior with some seriously costly options, like Alcantara trim or the super-light carbon fibre-shelled bucket seats that were seen in the P1 hypercar. Oh, and to head off your inevitable question at the pass, the chassis hardware/set-up of the Spider is also exactly the same as the Coupe, so McLaren says it drives just as well as the fixed-roof model.
But surely it's slower, given the weight gain?
Nope, the M838TE 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 makes the same 570hp and 600Nm as ever, with the Spider's power-to-weight said to be 419hp-per-tonne. That means 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, 0-124mph in a barely believable 9.6 seconds and a top speed of 204mph. Albeit, if you want to breach the double-ton, you need to have the hood up; otherwise, you're limited to a mere 196mph. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox sends drive to the rear wheels, there's a Launch Control function and, er... it'll do 26.6mpg with 249g/km of CO2. As if that sort of thing is ever in a buyer's consideration.
Go on then, how much and when can we see more?
It'll set you back at least £164,750 if you can avoid the options and it will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the end of June, with orders being taken right now. The first 400 will be launch editions, following the success of the 720S launch edition, and cars should start being delivered to owners in August.
Matt Robinson - 14 Jun 2017
