Drop-Top-Down: McLaren Unveils The All-New 720S Spider

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Roughly 18 months ago, when McLaren replaced its 650S with the achingly-beautiful 720S, we couldn’t ask for anything more than a drop-top version. However, it seems like the British carmaker has heard the chants.

Soon after its launch, the 720S soon became McLaren’s crowned prince with its mind-boggling looks and a staggering V8 that galloped with 710 ponies. However, much like its predecessor, the 720S uses a folding hardtop that is accommodated discreetly behind a pair of buttresses.

The carbon fibre drop-top will be provided as standard on the 720S Spider. However, the customers are also given an option to choose the electrochromic glass roof that will allow them to rotate between clear and opaque.

McLaren has reworked the Monocage II tub in the 720S. To one’s aw, the British have removed the entire spine of the tub without any strengthening braces in order to allow the roof to fold, and accommodate it once it has collapsed. However, contrary to one’s expectations, the company is adamant that the torsional rigidity has not been sacrificed.

The new soft-top iteration has suffered a minor penalty of close to 50kg in its kerb weight, bringing the dry mass of the car up to 1332kg. However, in spite of the upscale in the weight of the car, the Spider still does triple digit speeds in 2.7seconds, which is quicker than even the lightweight Ferrari 488 Pista Spider.

The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 engine that powers the 720S Spider is unchanged from the Coupé. The mid-mounted heart for exceptional handling and purity of response, it produces 710bhp and 770Nm and -given the lightest-in-class weight of the 720S Spider and resulting power-to-weight ratio of 540PS-per-tonne at the lightest dry weight.

The new McLaren 720S Spider is available in the same three specifications as the Coupé, with Performance and Luxury trims extending above the standard model. Two new exterior colours – Belize Blue and Aztec Gold – have been introduced for the new Spider among a palette of 23, one of which is Supernova Silver, a Heritage colour that was first available on the McLaren 12C.