McLaren MP4-12C plans to go topless!

It’s only just been revealed… but the new McLaren has already blown its top! The Surrey-based company is planning to produce a Spyder version of its MP4-12C supercar. And here is an exclusive look at how the stunning drop-top will look.

Going head-to-head with the Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and forthcoming Mercedes SLS AMG Cabriolet, the McLaren will boast a retractable hard-top, potentially the work of convertible expert Webasto. Layouts released of the firm’s new Woking factory show that an area of the facility has been devoted to ‘RHT [retractable hard-top] Sub Assembly’.

The tiny hood is likely to be made from lightweight aluminium or even carbon fibre, and will fold away behind the occupants’ heads ahead of the engine, slotting neatly beneath a pair of sporty buttresses. The Spyder is unlikely to weigh much more than its fixed-roof brother.

It will be powered by the same 447 kW 3,8-litre twin-turbo V8, and should reach 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and accelerate on to 320 km/h – with the roof on, of course. But the model won’t come cheap – buyers will have to pay a significant premium over the GBP150 000 coupé version, with prices likely to start at around GBP175 000. Source: Autoxpress via: SACF