Automotive

McLaren shaves the top off the new 650S

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The world's auto media looks on as tgh eMcLaren 650S Spider is revealed in Geneva (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
The 650S' revised twin-turbo 3.8 liter V8 is capable of handing over stopwatch times of 3 seconds for a run of 0-100 km/h (62 mph) and a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph) (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
The Coupe version is slightly quicker on track than the Spider but lacks the open air diversity (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
With the roof raised, the area beneath the tonneau cover can be used as additional luggage space (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
Running a similar drivetrain to the 12C the 650S uses a revised twin-turbo 3.8 liter V8 capable of developing 641 hp and 500 lb.ft of torque (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
The 650S Spider unveiled in Geneva (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
As with the 12C Spider, the 650S Spider uses a heated glass rear window, operating independently of the roof. (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
The new Spider, running identical mechanicals to the Coupe is as quick to 100 km/h (62 mph) but a tick slower to 200 km/h (124 mph) with a time of 8.6 seconds (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
McLaren's 650S coupe was also officially unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
The new Spider, running identical mechanicals to the Coupe is as quick to 100 km/h (62 mph) but a tick slower to 200 km/h (124 mph) with a time of 8.6 seconds (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)(Photo: McLaren)
Whereas the coupe version of the 650S will set you backUS$325,000, the Spider is likely to hit the chequebook to the tune of around the US$350,000 mark (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
650S features carbon ceramic brakes and bespoke lightweight alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres (Photo: McLaren)
The Spider's two-piece roof can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph) in only 17 seconds. (Photo: McLaren)
Adding only 40 kg (88 lb) to the car’s weight, the retractable roof can be raised or lowered at up to 19 mph (30 km/h) (Photo: McLaren)
650S Spider features IRIS sat-nav with Bluetooth telephony, DAB or SIRIUS digital radio, wireless tethering, audio streaming and voice control (Photo: McLaren)
The 650S' revised twin-turbo 3.8 liter V8 is capable of handing over stopwatch times of 3 seconds for a run of 0-100 km/h (62 mph) and a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph) (Photo: McLaren)
Because of McLaren’s carbon MonoCell architecture the Spider doesn’t require additional chassis reinforcement to retain torsional integrity(Photo: McLaren)
Interior of the 650S Spider is trimmed in Alcantara fabrics (Photo: McLaren)
Running an identical drivetrain to the 650S Coupe, the Spider throws down times of 3 seconds for 0-100 km/h (62 mph) and 8.6 seconds for 0-200 km/h (124 mph) (Photo: McLaren)
The world's auto media looks on as tgh eMcLaren 650S Spider is revealed in Geneva (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
The 650S Spider unveiled in Geneva (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
The new Spider, running identical mechanicals to the Coupe is as quick to 100 km/h (62 mph) but a tick slower to 200 km/h (124 mph) with a time of 8.6 seconds (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)
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McLaren has taken the wraps off an open-aired version of its new 650S supercar. Officially unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show today, the 650S Spider may well have stolen a bit of the limelight from its hard topped sibling.

Last week McLaren revealed full details of its new mid-line supercar the 650S. Running a similar drivetrain to the McLaren 12C, the 650S uses a revised twin-turbo 3.8 liter V8 capable of developing 641 hp and handing over stopwatch times of 3 seconds for a run of 0-100 km/h (62 mph) towards a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph).

The new Spider, running identical mechanicals to the hard-topped version, is as quick to the 100 km/h mark and only slightly slower than the coupe from 0-200 km/h (124 mph) with a time of 8.6 seconds. McLaren reports the Spider delivers identical mileage and emission figures.

The new Spider, running identical mechanicals to the Coupe is as quick to 100 km/h (62 mph) but a tick slower to 200 km/h (124 mph) with a time of 8.6 seconds (Photo: CC Weiss/gizmag.com)(Photo: McLaren)

Sporting a similar roof system as the 12C, the 650S Spider can convert from hard-topped supercar to open-aired roadster in a cool 17 seconds. Adding only 40 kg (88 lb) to the car’s total weight, the two-piece retractable roof can be raised or lowered at up to 19 mph (30 km/h) and because of McLaren’s carbon MonoCell, the Spider doesn’t require additional chassis reinforcement to retain torsional integrity.

And like the fantastically brilliant 12C Spider I drove back in September, the 650S Spider features a small heated rear window, that when operated independently from the roof can be used as windbreak with the top down or provide additional air and engine noise into the cabin with the top up. With the two-piece roof raised the space beneath the tonneau cover can be used to store small luggage pieces.

With the new 650S Coupe priced out at US$325,000, it is likely we'll see the Spider will come in at around the US$350,000 mark....give or take a ten thousand.

Source: McLaren

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2 comments
Vivek
It's rather weird when you think of a $325k price tag for a high-performance automobile as being very reasonable, almost inexpensive. We're just so accustomed to seeing prices north of $1 million for performance of this caliber. On the other end of the spectrum, we quibble about a price differential of $1k or $2k.
Tristram Buckley
It does not look exotic enough or pretty enough to command such a high price tag. While the 458 is rolling sculpture this is simply too bland. It looks like a Corvette competitor style-wise. (Not disputing the performance capabilities.)