2018 McLaren 570S Spider

The 570S Spider is the convertible in McLaren's Sport Series family. It's positioned near the bottom of the company's lineup as a relatively affordable entry point into McLaren ownership.

Overview

Like the coupe, the 570S Spider is powered by an evolution of the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine that other members of the company's lineup use, but 30-percent of the mill's components are specific to the new model.

The mid-mounted eight-cylinder generates 562 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 442 lb-ft. of torque from 5,000 to 6,000 rpm, enough to propel the coupe from zero to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 204 mph.

A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the rear wheels. It can be left in automatic mode, or shifted manually using steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The 570S Spider comes with an adjustable suspension setup, carbon ceramic brakes all around, and Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires.

Family resemblance

McLaren built the 570S Spider around a carbon fiber monocell that weighs just 176 pounds. On paper the monocell is similar to the one found under the out-of-production 650S and the sold-out P1, but it has been designed specifically for members of the Sport Series family. Aluminum body panels further reduce weight, and the 570S tips the scale at 2,895 pounds in its lightest configuration.

Highly aerodynamic, the 570S' front end features the company's signature boomerang-shaped headlights and a sizable air dam built into the bottom part of the bumper, while the rear end benefits from a large air diffuser and flying buttresses that create additional downforce.

Importantly, the power-retractable hardtop adds around 100 pounds without compromising structural rigidity or performance. It opens and closes in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 25 mph. Drivers can also independently raise or lower a glazed wind deflector to reduce buffeting with the top down.

Buyers can choose from no less than 17 paint colors, though it's worth noting that only white, blue and silver are standard.

Life aboard

McLaren engineers went to great lengths to ensure the 570S is equally at home on the track and on the street, and, as a result, the coupe is the most usable model the company has built to date. The passenger compartment was designed to be spacious and ergonomic, and the 570S boasts better visibility than many of its rivals.

The cockpit puts an almost equal focus on sport and luxury. It comes standard with a full infotainment system centered around a seven-inch touch screen, leather upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity and a fully configurable TFT instrument cluster. Alternatively, buyers can work with McLaren's Special Operations division to create a one-off coupe.

Key competitors

The McLaren 570S can be cross-shopped against the Porsche 911 GTS, the Mercedes-AMG GT S, the less expensive Jaguar F-Type R and the surprisingly accessible Aston Martin Vantage.