McLaren Drops The Top On Limited Edition 675LT Spider

For those who weren’t quick enough to buy the 675LT coupe, there’s now an open top version up for grabs

McLaren says it has decided to offer a second model with the 675LT badge because of “significant customer demand” – despite the fact that we’re talking about a car that carries a £285,450 price tag in the UK.

Strictly limited to 500 units globally, the McLaren 675LT Spider features a three-piece retractable roof that can be opened at speeds of up to 30 km/h (19 mph), an exclusive Solis paintwork and optional 20-spoke Super-Lightweight forged alloy wheels offered for the first time.

100 kg (220 lbs) lighter than the 650S Spider it’s based on, the McLaren 675LT Spider tips the scales at 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs), delivering a power-to-weight figure of 532 PS (525 hp) per ton. The 675LT Spider is only 40 kg (88 lbs) heavier than the coupe, all due to the retractable roof system.

Power comes from the same twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 gasoline engine which delivers 675 PS (666 hp) at 7,100 rpm and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm, justifying McLaren’s claim that the 675LT is “the most focused, fastest and exhilarating open top McLaren model ever built”.

The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes just 2.9 seconds, and 200 km/h (124 mph) is achieved in 8.1 seconds – making it only 0.2 seconds slower than the more aerodynamic and lighter coupe. Top speed is 326 km/h (203 mph). The 675LT Spider returns a rather remarkable 24.2 mpg UK (20.1 mpg US or 11.7 l/100 km) on the EU combined cycle, while CO2 emissions remain at 275 g/km – the same as the coupe.

Just like the McLaren 675LT coupe, the Spider makes extensive use of carbon fiber for its bodywork: the front bumper with larger splitter and end plates, front under body, side skirts, side intakes, lower side intakes, rear bodyside lower, rear fenders, rear deck, rear bumper, diffuser and “Longtail” Airbrake are all made from carbon fiber.

The interior is also similar to the coupe version, with Alcantara and bare carbon fiber used extensively throughout the cabin. McLaren offers a pair of lightweight carbon fiber-shelled racing seats, modeled on those from the McLaren P1.

If the standard 675LT Spider is not sharp enough, the optional Club Sport Professional Pack adds further visual carbon fiber and stealth detailing.

Conveniently, the first deliveries of the McLaren 675LT Spider are expected in summer 2016.