McLaren has released a preview image for its latest new model debut, the 720S Spider, ahead of an official reveal on 8 December.
The new drop-top follows the recently revealed Speedtail as McLaren’s second model in its £1.2 billion Track25 business plan. The 720S Spider will be shown in full online at 8pm on 8 December before it goes on sale next year.
It joins the 570S Spider as McLaren’s second convertible model on sale. The preview image shows the front end of the 720S Spider will stay faithful to the hard-top, but doesn't display the car's roof assembly. Details are scarce, but we're expecting the 720S Spider to feature a similar folding hard-top roof, made from a number of lightweight composite panels, as its lesser sibling.
This will likely mean an increase in weight over the standard McLaren 720S, which could have a fractional impact on performance. The car will use the same 710bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 as the hard-top, so the Spider should still be able to crack the 0-60mph sprint in under three seconds. However, the increased aerodynamic drag could lower the top speed from the coupé’s 212mph.
It remains to be seen what effect the loss of a fixed roof has on the 'Monocage II' carbonfibre chassis. The coupé's structure features bracing in the roof to connect the windscreen and rear section. It's likely McLaren will increase structural bracing on the side of the car, which could raise its weight over and above the 50kg added to the 570S when it transitioned to Spider form. We will receive more details ahead of next month's reveal.
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