McLaren Automotive has unveiled the historic McLaren 765LT Spider this July, building on its reputation of exclusive, premium, high-performance supercars throughout the last decade. The new Spider is McLaren’s most powerful convertible supercar and adds the highest-ever levels of driver interaction to the McLaren LT experience, complementing the 765LT ‘Longtail’ coupe launched last year.
“As we continue to build the LT sub-brand with the introduction of the new 765LT Spider, it’s clear that our customers are increasingly attracted to the Longtail supercar proposition of exhilarating, extreme performance, and limited availability. With all 765 examples of the 765LT coupe sold, it’s no surprise that as we publicly announce our new LT Spider, production capacity for 2021 is already filled.”, said Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive
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Building on the McLaren 765LT coupe’s specs
The 765LT Spider has all of the class-leading skills of the coupe, as well as the other core attributes inherent to any McLaren Longtail: minimized weight, track-focused dynamics, and optimized aerodynamics, and also meets the LT demand for exclusivity: only 765 cars will be available globally for customer order.
Three captivating factors contribute to the new Spider’s tremendous performance and dynamic prowess, which have already been demonstrated in the 765LT coupe: the stability of its MonoCage II-S structure, the game-changing design of its one-piece Retractable Hard Top roof, and McLaren engineers’ ongoing dedication to pursue the company’s philosophy of super-lightweight engineering.
The MonoCage II-S Spider variant of the carbon fiber MonoCage II was designed alongside the coupe monocoque and shares most of its structural components, including the windshield surround. Because of the structure’s strength and rigidity, no extra bracing is needed above the coupe, which saves weight. Carbon fiber structural supports are completely integrated into the chassis at the back of the vehicle to offer rollover protection.
Astonishing performance and speed
The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 765HP and 800Nm of torque, giving the McLaren 765LT Spider a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 598HP per tonne at lightest dry weight. The transmission gear ratios have been adjusted for even more engagement and performance; in-gear acceleration is 15% faster than the 720S Spider, allowing the new Longtail to set the best lap times for a convertible LT model ever.
The 0-100km/h time is 2.8 seconds (0-60 miles per hour is 2.7 seconds), while the duration from zero to 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour) is 7.2 seconds. The new McLaren 765LT Spider accelerates from a standstill to 400 meters (1/4 mile) in 10.0 seconds, with a top speed of 330 kilometers per hour (205mph).
The aerodynamic kit designed for the 765LT coupe is largely identical to the Spider, which benefits from the same 25% improvement in downforce as the coupe over the 720S. The main change is the angle of deployment of the extended Longtail active rear wing, which is affected not only by the requirement for a different configuration while driving with the top down, but also by the fact that the Spider’s rear profile is different from the coupe’s.
When the Aero button in the cabin is pressed, ‘Driver Downforce’ is activated, which adjusts the wing angle based on speed. With the top off, the angle rises to reclaim the rear downforce lost due to the increased airflow disturbance. All of this happens in the background for the Spider driver, and the resultant variations are seamless.
The design screams “supercar”
The extended shape that earned the first Longtail its name back in 1997 was intended for a particular purpose, and McLaren has maintained that concept of “everything for a reason” and “form follows function” ever since. The McLaren 765LT Spider is the epitome of this, with every aspect of its extremely intricate, sculpted design working to improve performance.
The naturally honed bodywork of the 765LT Spider has track-focused technological details, with Visual Carbon Fibre or Dark Palladium-finished elements indicating where airflow enters and exits the car. This design is more angular than the 720S’, emphasizing how the flow of air is controlled to suit the car’s rigorous performance goals.
The wing’s significance to the 765LT’s performance cannot be exaggerated: it plays a critical role in controlling downforce, end-to-end balance and stability, braking, and acceleration. Despite the fact that the Spider’s rear profile is somewhat more “notchback” in the buttress region, it is able to match the coupe’s balanced aero performance because of the recalibration of the rear wing angles, with only a little modification to the damper set-up needed.
Because of the improved aerodynamic performance, the front springs may be softer than if they were exclusively responsible for maintaining the front ride height, which increases front axle compliance.
The McLaren 765LT Spider interior is designed to merge the driver with the car
The interior changes between the coupe and Spider are minor, with the latter’s cabin including an additional piece of carbon fiber top trim that flows from inside to outside. The Spider’s folding roof mechanism is hidden below the coupe’s engine window. Under the rear tonneau cover, there is an extra baggage room, as well as 150 liters of storage in the front.
The lightweight Alcantara-trimmed carbon fiber-shelled racing seats, originally seen on the McLaren P1TM and now on every LT model, offer excellent support from an amazing driving position. Optional Super-Lightweight double-skinned carbon fiber racing seats are available from the McLaren Senna.
The 8-inch, high-resolution Central Infotainment Screen, which works in combination with the revolutionary Folding Driver Display placed immediately in front of the driver to offer an integrated information platform, displays key connection features, including McLaren Track Telemetry (MTT).
Customers who place a premium on convenience features above weight loss may choose from a variety of options. Although an audio system is not included in the basic specification to save 1.5kg, a lightweight McLaren 4-speaker system, as well as Bluetooth telephony, iPod/iPhone connectivity, and audio voice prompts, are available as options.
Bowers & Wilkins has created a world-class audio system specifically for McLaren, and it is also available. The Active Dynamics Panel, for example, is placed in the driver’s field of vision.
The price matches McLaren’s exclusivity and starts from £310, 500, or $420,000, and availability is limited to just 765 cars for customer orders worldwide, with 2021 production already all sold.