Faster, quieter Retractable Hard Top adds even more drama to 720S, as it jostles to steal the limelight in the fight for supremacy against its nemesis, the Ferrari 488 Spider. But will it be better?
Callum Alexander | Callum on Cars | CrackersCal
Bored of the Ferrari 488 Spider? Trundle on down to your local McLaren showroom, where pirouetting on a plinth will be the McLaren 72OS Spider, the latest addition to the Super Series range.
The Spider features a one-piece Retractable Hard Top (RHT) made from a single carbon fibre roof panel. That means when the roof is closed, structural rigidity is maintained, not impacting performance characteristics. Critical when tearing through congestion charge zones in London. Thanks to an electric folding mechanism, the roof can be opened or closed in 11 seconds - 6 seconds faster than the 650S Spider; making it the fastest operating convertible roof in a supercar.
The roof can be opened up to speeds of 31mph, a hike up from the 18.5mph in the 650S Spider. McLaren say it is also twice as quiet. An electrochromic glass option in the retractable roof can be added, so you can select between a transparent or tinted setting - it shields you from intense sunshine, when roof is upright. It does add a further degree of coolness to the Macca mantra as well.
The use of carbon fibre through the Monocage II S chassis has meant no additional strengthening has been added to compensate for the RHT and carbon fibre supports in the Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) replace steel ones in 650S, saving 6.8kg over its older sibling. This frenzied optimisation of components means that the 720S Spider has a dry weight of 1332kg; just 49kg more than the 720S Coupe. For reference, the dry weight of a 488 Spider is 1420kg, an 88kg delta to the Macca. McLaren openly indicate this difference in their press release for the 720S Spider, a clear statement that they are relishing this development war.
McLaren 720S Spider
Price: £237,000
Engine: 3.994cc twin-turbo V8, 710bhp, 568 lb ft
Transmission: 7 Speed SSG, RWD
Performance: 0-62mph in 2.9secs, 212mph
Economy: 24.4 mpg, 276 g/km CO2
Weight: 1332kg
The power unit components are like for like with the 720S Coupe. In case you have misplaced this very important information, allow me to jog your memory. It has a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that conjures up 711bhp, backed up with 770nm of torque and that makes for a juicy power to weight ratio of 533bhp per tonne. These numbers translate into rapid-fire performance: 0-62mph takes 2.9 seconds, keep your foot flat on the throttle and you will catapult to 124mph in 7.9 seconds, just 0.1 seconds slower than the Coupe 720S. With the roof up the 720S Spider will torpedo to a top speed of 212mph, with the roof down it will still bluster to 202mph; the added weight and tweaked aerodynamics buffers a quicker pace.
This brute force is not only stamped in straight line speed, but through tight, twisty cornering too. Combating this is McLaren’s familiar Handling mode systems copied over from the 720S Coupe; the switch acts as a dial up or down in characteristics from the 720S Spiders’ chassis. The three modes are: Comfort, Sport or Track. Each setting incrementally varies the degree of throttle response, sharpness of gear changes and noise. It also amps up aggressivity from the Proactive Chassis Control hydraulic suspension and electro-hydraulic steering, absolutely fundamental when nipping and darting past pesky backlogged traffic, sparing literally valuable seconds.
The active rear spoiler helps in this missionary task. It activates automatically to increase or decrease downforce as well as acting as an airbrake; in the 720S Spider it is costumed with different alignments depending on the status of the roof.
McLaren prides itself on what it calls the ‘canopy-like’ design of the 720S Coupe and the ‘360-degree’ vision it enables; allowing for a very visual driving experience. This has been capitalised on in the 720S Spider with glazed flying buttresses; the leading edge of which has an aerodynamic carrier to guide airflow, it gradually narrows to reveal the dark glazing. This improves visibility by 12% over-the-shoulder compared to the 650S Spider - handy when parallel parking outside your local Poundland store.
The interior is a sculpted and crafted replica from the 720S Coupe. Made from a swathe of materials, it acts as crisp backdrop to the 8-inch Central Infotainment Screen - the go to place for all the in-car mod-cons; audio, media, navigation and climate control are a tap of a finger away. The dual-zone climate control and air conditioning unit has been reprogrammed in the 720S Spider to the RHT and adjusts the temperature and airflow in accordance to its position.
The 720S Spider can come in three different guises and features two new colours: Belize Blue and Aztec Gold. There is also a new set of 10-spoke lightweight forged alloy rims on the Spider, with a choice of Pirelli rubber to sit the big Macca on.
McLaren are taking orders now, with the 720S Spider costing £237,000. Just one question: this, or the 488 Spider?
Callum Alexander | Callum on Cars | CrackersCal
Photos: McLaren
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