If there is a supercar that is to rival the likes of the Ferrari 458 spider, it has to be able to do so with more than one aspect. Performance, aesthetic aggressive looks, and the overall built of the supercar has to be of an exceptional quality. Engineers of McLaren might have built a car to match up supercars, with the McLaren MP4 12 C and now the MP4 12 C spider takes them on hats off in the drop top supercar league. Chopping off the roof of a supercar is a move that in the past had more downs than ups for manufacturers, as by doing so the looks of the car may have improved whist hindering its performance.
The spider is capable of carrying its extra added weight to a top speed of 329 km/h, depending on the tires fitted on your spider. Achieving tarmac tearing performance means that you will have to order the spider with the optional Corsa tyres which are together with the launch control essential in helping you reach the 0-100 km/h mark in 3.1 seconds. Powering the McLaren is a 3.8 liter twin-turbo engine which is similar to the one used in the coupe, the spider has been mapped to produce a total of 460kw @7500rpm, while 600nm of torque peaks @3000 -7000 rpm. All the power and torque are channeled to the rear wheels through a seven speed dual clutch transmission.
McLaren have set a benchmark with their MP4-12c Spider's performance which as compared to its coupe sibling has only lost a second in reaching the 0-100 km/h mark. Even with its added roof folding mechanisms, it still manages to live up to supercar performance figures. The two piece folding roof which has put on an added weight of 40kg to the spider gives you the best of both worlds, with the convertible airy feel or that of being "cockpitiezed" (hypnosis in the cockpit of a fast travelling supercar). A commonly-seen retractable rear windscreen which is situated behind the passenger compartment is a feature that invites the sound of the twin-turbocharged V8 into the cockpit even when the roof is up. Switching in between both worlds can be done in 17 seconds, even while travelling at traffic speeds of up to 30 km/h, of which going from coupe to roadster hasn’t been this easy.
Inside the carbon monocell cockpit, the interior is detailed with carbon fiber which surrounds the centre console and other interior parts. The sight of buttons and knobs is still a feature to many functions of the spider which has had minimal changes made to its interior and exterior. Apart from the roof being folded down one would not notice any difference from the coupe, but as you start looking with 8 eyes (spider) you will then notice the not so obvious changes. Starting with the door handle, of which unless painted in a distinctive color one would mistaken the sweet spot which gives motion to the suicide doors.
Internationally buyers have various colour options as it is available in 12 exterior colours which will blend in well across the different trims of its range. Different trim levels include the two new executive trims, semi perforated leather and the Alacantra trim. South African buyers will appreciate the new Vehicle Lift System which gives a better ground clearance making it much simpler to go over speed humps.
From the production of the MP4-12c McLaren have show that they have got what it takes to produce a full road car and now with the spider they have added some style to a well built supercar without having to worry about losing its strongest point, being performance.
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