2018 McLaren 720S & 765LT

McLaren 720S Spider

McLaren Automotive, the British manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sportscars and supercars, is expanding its Super Series product family with the introduction of a second new model under the £1.2bn Track25 business plan and its most accomplished convertible supercar ever: the new McLaren 720S Spider.

Revealed online on December 8, 2018 and available to order with immediate effect, the new 720S Spider delivers the exhilaration of open-air driving and levels of day-to-day usability unseen in the convertible supercar class.

"The new McLaren 720S Spider offers an unparalleled blend of extreme performance, crafted luxury, driver involvement and daily usability - all with the additional exhilaration of open-air driving whenever required. As the most accomplished convertible supercar ever, the new Spider delivers across a remarkable spectrum of abilities to outstandingly high levels, and as lightest in class with an increase of just 49kg over the 720S Coupé, moves us even further ahead of our competition in the weight race." Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive

The design foundations of the new McLaren Spider are the seamless and organic forms introduced in 2017 with the 720S Coupé. Combining to maximise downforce, minimise drag, enhance powertrain cooling and optimise aerodynamic performance, these shapes produce an overall appearance akin to a futuristic sculpture, formed by the air that flows over, under, around and through it. A new, electrically actuated Retractable Hard Top (RHT) is seamlessly integrated into the design, as are new buttresses.

Carbon fibre core for strength and light weight

Like all McLaren cars, the new 720S Spider has a carbon fibre structure at its core, in this case designated Monocage II-S. The strength, rigidity and light weight of the McLaren Monocage is the base for the dynamic excellence for which McLarens are renowned. The Monocage II-S is a development of the Coupé 's Monocage II, without the central 'spine' running front to rear above the cabin. The rearmost section of the upper structure is also unique to the Spider, to accommodate the Retractable Hard Top; additionally, the header rail across the top of the windscreen has been revised, to integrate the central latching mechanism.

McLaren's engineering ingenuity, underpinned by the inherent strength and rigidity of carbon fibre, means that despite the removal of the fixed roof there is no need for additional strengthening; even the unusually slim but incredibly strong windscreen A-pillars first seen on the 720S Coupé remain. To provide enhanced rollover protection for occupants, fixed carbon fibre structural supports are integrated into the rear of the Monocage II-S, additionally providing the main anchor points for the roof system and the seatbelts. In the first-generation Super Series, steel supports featured and the switch to carbon fibre has contributed to the Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) in the McLaren 720S Spider being 6.8kg lighter than in the 650S.

Overall, the new 720S Spider is just 49kg - or less than 4% - heavier than the 720S Coupé. The increased weight is primarily associated with the RHT and tonneau system. With a lightest dry weight of 1,332kg the 720S Spider is comfortably the lightest car in its competitive set, at 88kg less than the 1,420kg dry weight of its closest rival. The low weight is the foundation for the dynamic, performance and efficiency benefits that McLaren is so adept at exploiting for the greater enjoyment of its customers.

Ferocious acceleration on par with 720S Coupé; 202mph with the roof down...

The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 engine that powers the McLaren 720S Spider is unchanged from the Coupé. Mid-mounted for exceptional handling and purity of response, it produces 720PS and 770Nm and -given the lightest-in-class weight of the 720S Spider and resulting power-to-weight ratio of 540PS-per-tonne at lightest dry weight - it is no surprise that performance is extreme.

Acceleration is nothing short of phenomenal, with 0-100km/h (0-62mph) covered in 2.9 seconds and 0-200km/h (0-124mph) achieved in just 7.9 seconds - just 0.1 seconds off the pace of the Coupé. The standing quarter mile sprint is dispatched in 10.4 seconds - again, only 0.1 seconds slower than the Coupé - and where conditions allow, the 720S Spider will continue accelerating to a Coupé-matching top speed of 341km/h (212mph) with the roof raised. Even with the roof lowered, maximum speed remains extraordinary at 325km/h (202mph). The minor variations in performance arise from differing aerodynamics and the additional 49kg the Spider carries.

The McLaren 720S Spider has the same dramatic 'eye sockets' cut deep into the front fenders and double-skinned dihedral doors immediately obvious on the Coupé - just two of the body design elements that play an integral role in delivering the extraordinary aerodynamic efficiency and balance the 720S possesses. Beyond this, the front splitter and contoured bonnet, for example, dictate and control the airflow through, over, around and under the rest of the vehicle, while behind the front splitter, the underfloor aerodynamics have been revised to work in harmony with the new rear bodywork and full-width active rear spoiler of the 720S Spider.

The rollover protection technology brings an advantage in respect of size as well as weight, the compact system having allowed McLaren's design and engineering team to create incredibly slim tonneau buttress. This improves over-the-shoulder visibility for the driver and contributes to a sensation of exceptional space overall, while also increasing aerodynamic downforce.

https://www.netcarshow.com/mclaren/2019-720s_spider/

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McLaren 720S Spider revealed

Woking's new 710bhp open-top supercar will crack 200mph even with the roof down

McLaren has revealed its new 720S Spider, which it claims is the lightest of any open-top supercar on sale.

The 720S Spider, revealed tonight at McLaren’s annual Winter Ball, weighs just 49kg more than the McLaren 720S coupé on which it is based, and, at a dry weight 1332kg, is 88kg lighter than the 1420kg Ferrari 488 Spider, the class’s current champion lightweight.

The new open-top McLaren uses the same 710bhp, 568lb ft 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the coupé, a car that it also shares its 0-62mph time of 2.9sec, despite its extra weight. The 0-124mph time is 7.9sec, 0.1sec adrift of the coupe. The 488 Spider, meanwhile, can crack 0-62mph in 3.0sec and 0-124mph in 8.7sec.

The 720S Spider uses a retractable hard-top roof, which is a completely new design over the previous 650S Spider. It is a single piece of carbonfibre, that aims to preserve as much of the coupé’s style as possible. The electrically-driven mechanism raises and lowers the roof in just 11secs, a 6sec improvement over the 650S Spider. It can be operated at speeds of up to 31mph.

Even with the roof down, the 720S Spider still tops 200mph – its top speed is 202mph with the roof down. With the roof up, it can do 212mph. If you don’t want to drive the fast with the roof down, McLaren will let you specify the car with a glazed roof panel, that can be switched between being transparent and opaque at the touch of a button.

One feature that carries over from the 650S Spider is the small glass rear window, which can be lowered even with the roof up. This floods the cabin with noise from the V8 engine behind it.

One other new design touches on the 720S includes the glazed flying buttresses, which also improve the car’s aerodynamics, along with a series of aerodynamic tweaks and optimisations at the rear of the car and underneath. The active rear spoiler also gets its own mapping that’s bespoke to the Spider.

Those glazed buttresses also allow for better rear visibility, and increase the amount of light coming into the car.

McLaren’s carbonfibre Monocage II-S structure includes rollover protection, so no extra chassis strengthening is needed to turn the 720S from a coupé to a Spider. Of course, it does without the coupe’s central carbonfibre spine in the roof that allows for the dramatic dihedral doors, something the Spider does without.

The cabin of the 720S coupé carries over to the 720S Spider largely unchanged, as does the three driving modes – Comfort, Sport and Track – selectable for the hydraulic suspension system.

Another new touch for the 720S Spider is a new design of 10-spoke alloy wheels, while two new colour choices are added to the palette of 23, along with the return of a shade of silver last offered on the 12C.

Prices for the new McLaren 720S Spider start from £237,000. That’s a rise of almost £20,000 over the 720S coupé.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mclaren-720s-spider-revealed
 
New McLaren 720S Spider revealed … with glass buttresses!

The new McLaren 720S Spider has been revealed, with the latest member of the Super Series family boasting special glazed flying buttresses.

Despite the presence of a new, electrically actuated retractable hardtop, McLaren says there was “no need for additional strengthening” thanks largely to the rigidity of the carbon-fibre structure. Overall, the Woking-based firm claims the new 720S Spider is just 49 kg heavier than the coupé, with the increase in weight “primarily associated” with the hardtop and tonneau system.

According to McLaren, the unusual glazed flying buttresses you see in the accompanying images “aid rear visibility” and “enhance visual drama”. The leading edge of each buttress features an aerodynamic carrier to guide airflow, before tapering off to expose darkened glazing.

Power comes from the same mid-mounted 4,0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 found in the coupé, sending an unchanged 527 kW and 770 N.m to the rear axle via a seven-speed transmission. The obligatory zero to 100 km/h sprint takes a claimed 2,9 seconds (matching the coupé), while 200 km/h is registered in 7,9 seconds (one-tenth slower than the coupé).

McLaren says the standing quartermile is seen off in 10,4 seconds, while top speed comes in at a coupé-matching 341 km/h with the roof raised. Drop the top and that figure falls to a still lofty 325 km/h.

The retractable hardtop features a one-piece, carbon-fibre roof panel as standard and can be lowered or raised in 11 seconds (up to speeds of 50 km/h). A rear window that lowers automatically when the hardtop is opened is also independently controllable.

Meanwhile, a carbon-fibre-framed, glazed retractable hardtop will be offered as an option, complete with electrochromic glass that allows the driver to switch between a transparent or tinted state “at the touch of a button”.

Pricing in the United Kingdom will start at £237 000 (that’s about R4,3-million at the current exchange rate).

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/new-mclaren-720s-spider-revealed-with-glass-buttresses/
 
McLaren's highly venomous Spider: 720S goes topless

McLaren’s 720S has finally gone topless, the new Spider model sporting a patented retractable carbon fibre hard top and glazed ‘flying buttresses’ that increases downforce.

What’s more, the 720S’s Monocage II-S carbon fibre structure needed no additional strengthening to combat scuttle shake, McLaren says, although the hard top and rollover protection system have added 49kg to the car’s overall weight - which is still rather light in the greater scheme of things (and best in class) at 1332kg.

That makes relatively light work for the 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 530kW and 770Nm, enough to get the topless beast from 0-100km/h in just 2.9 seconds, 0-200 in 7.9s and on to a top speed of 341km/h, according to claims.

The retractable hard top is electrically operated and can do its opening and closing trick in just 11 seconds, at speeds of up to 50km/h.

Buyers can also opt for a glazed electrochromic glass roof that can switch between transparent and tinted states.

The cabin boasts a dual zone climate control system that automatically adjusts airflow based on the position of the roof and as per the tin-top version, the central command centre is a 20cm high-res touchscreen infotainment system that houses the media, satnav and climate functions.

As for driving dynamics, the Spider has an active rear spoiler that adjusts in accordance with the car’s roof and the car rides on McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control II hydraulic suspension system, which offers three Handling modes: Track, Sport and Comfort.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/late...ly-venomous-spider-720s-goes-topless-18451122
 
5 fastest-accelerating vehicles CAR magazine tested in 2018

Which were the fastest-accelerating vehicles of the 77 we tested in 2018? Below we look at the cars that stunned us when it came to accelerating off the line. Note that this list is based on test figures we gathered during our standard, rigorous road-test procedure (rather than simply times claimed by the respective manufacturer)…

5. Mercedes-AMG GT R: 3,77 seconds

The Mercedes-AMG GT R was not only one of the fastest cars we took round the track in 2018, but also one of the fastest in a straight line (and we’re sure it’d be even quicker off the line if it had a bit more traction at the rear). With 430 kW being delivered from its twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8, the GT R registered a 0-100 km/h time just a touch away from its claimed 3,6 seconds.

4. Audi TT RS Quattro S tronic: 3,74 seconds

Despite costing almost R1 million, the TT RS is the cheapest car on this list by some margin. With its 2,5-litre five-pot delivering 294 kW to all four wheels through Audi’s Quattro system, this pocket rocket was able to achieve a 0-100 km/h time that would give many a supercar a run for its money…

3. BMW M5 xDrive M Steptronic: 3,43 seconds

BMW’s latest M5 has become a bit more sophisticated thanks to an xDrive system that directs the V8’s 441 kW to all four wheels. Although the power output is the same as the previous Competition model, its acceleration time has improved thanks to that extra traction…

2. Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic+ 9G-tronic: 3,40 seconds

The previous E63 was available with the brand’s 4Matic system, but this version never made its way to South Africa. Thankfully, with this generation, 4Matic+ is standard fitment … and that’s made us realise what we’ve been missing out on in terms of straight-line speed. The M5 rival bags a slightly faster 0-100 km/h time thanks to a 450 kW twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8 similar to the one in the GT R also on this list.

1. McLaren 720S Coupe: 3,09 seconds

The top spot on this list is occupied by the highest-rated and most expensive car we tested in 2018 (and the only non-German here). The 720S coupé uses a twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8 sending a whopping 527 kW to the rear axle. The fact the engine sits in the middle (and that the vehicle itself doesn’t weigh all that much) means the 720S has no problem accelerating to 100 km/h in double-quick time.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/5-fastest-accelerating-cars-tested-2018/
 
McLaren smashes sales record with 44 percent jump in 2018

McLaren Automotive says its global sales increased to a record 4 806 units in 2018, representing a 43,9 percent jump over 2017. The British firm has, of course, increased sales every year since its formation in 2010.

“Record sales highlight what a momentous year 2018 was for McLaren Automotive when over 4 800 cars left our production centre. That compares to 1 650 in 2015, showing the remarkable expansion in just three years as we work to consolidate growth to 6 000 cars a year by the end of our Track25 business plan,” said Mike Flewitt, chief executive officer of McLaren Automotive.

“In 2018, we achieved our broadest product offering, launching differentiated, world-beating products such as 600LT and the first two cars under our Track25 business plan in the sublime forms of the Speedtail and 720S Spider, both of which have been enthusiastically welcomed by the market.

“We believe we’re well placed in 2019 with a global market spread and diverse product portfolio. Our optimism is buoyed by the fact that we already have strong order banks into this year and exciting product lined up alongside the prospect of seeing our new in-house developed 720S GT3 race car hit the track with customer teams for the first time as we seek to strengthen the links between our founder’s racing history and our production cars.”

North America still represents McLaren’s biggest single market and accounts for more than a third of its global sales. European sales, meanwhile, rose 44,2 percent in 2018, although the biggest leap was in China at 122,5 percent growth (following the introduction of the 570S Spider and 720S). And in the United Kingdom? Well, McLaren enjoyed 49,2 percent year-on-year growth in its domestic market.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/mclaren-smashes-sales-record-with-44-percent-jump-in-2018/

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Got to do a startup of this baby, absolutely awesome cars. The range of specs one can do to these when ordering is insane, if I had the money I would be seriously lost as to how best to spec mine
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McLaren Spiders Have the Best Feature

While on the McLaren 720S Spider drive last week, I was poking around in the cabin and noticed a little button nestled in the center console to the left of the button that electronically lowers and raises the roof. This, as it turns out, is the little button that controls the car’s powered rear window. Yes, you read that right: The 720S Spider has a powered rear window! This is extremely rad! Exclamation point!

I don’t know when most station wagons and SUVs stopped including power rear windows, but it’s really a design feature that needs to be brought back. The last time I came across one was on a Toyota 4Runner. A McLaren convertible was the last place I expected to find such a thing again.

Most rear windows on convertibles fold down with the roof. The McLaren’s is independent of its retractable hardtop, and you can raise and lower it regardless of the position of the roof. In fact, I think the only other modern convertible (that I know of) with a powered rear window is the Ferrari 488 Spider.

But that car, apparently, has limitations, according to Car and Driver:

A small glass rear window operates independently of the top and can be lowered to three separate positions to either let more exhaust sound in with the top up or, more usefully, to act as a wind blocker with the top down.

Three positions only? **** outta here with that noise. The 720S Spider’s window is like any normal window, meaning you can put it up or down to any position you want. I tested this myself. The possibilities are endless.

When the roof is closed and the window is open, McLaren says that it will let in more of the sound of the engine into the cabin, which is an end goal that we can all agree on. Also, if you like to take pictures or record video, that lowered window is probably very handy to shoot out of.

Guys, this is just the best. You can open this window to air out the cabin without getting blasted in the face while at speed. You can stick your hand out of it. Wave a flag. Toss out a banana peel to trip up the competition.

I asked if this window was a new feature on the 720S Spider. A McLaren spokesperson responded, “It’s a feature we’ve had on our all Spiders since the 12C.”

Brilliant. Ace. Smashing. Let’s put powered rear windows on all the convertibles, SUVs and wagons in this world.

https://jalopnik.com/all-mclaren-spiders-have-the-best-feature-1832475174

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Full 5/5 rating.

McLaren 720S Spider 2019 review

Should I buy one?

In practically every department, the 720S Spider has lost nothing over, and is the dynamic equal of, the coupé from which it's derived, and it has gained extra desirability in the process. McLaren is on the very top of its game at the moment.

McLaren 720S Spider specification

Where Scottsdale, US Price £237,000 On sale Now Engine V8, 3994cc, twin-turbo, petrol Power 710bhp at 7500rpm Torque 568lb ft at 5500-6500rpm Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch automatic Kerb weight 1468kg Top speed 212mph 0-60mph 2.8sec Fuel economy 23.2mpg CO2 276g/km Rivals Ferrari 488 Spider, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-revie.../first-drives/mclaren-720s-spider-2019-review

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McLaren 720S Spider Pricing For South Africa

The McLaren 720S Spider is set to arrive in South Africa towards the end of March and with reviews around the world raving about the drop top supercar some of you might want to know the price.

Base price for the McLaren 720S Spider in South Africa is R6,950,000 but as you know the options and extras are pretty much endless and with MSO getting involved this can rocket but a good spec can go for around R7,5 million.

As a reminder the hardtop is opens and closes in just 11 seconds, and can be done at up to 50 km/h.

Thanks to the 710 hp (527 kw) twin-turbo V8, the 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes just 2.9 seconds. It will do the 200 km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds, run to a top speed of 325 km/h (with roof down) and 341 km/h (with roof up).

https://www.zero2turbo.com/2019/02/mclaren-720s-spider-pricing-for-south-africa.html
 
McLaren 720S Spider by MSO

The McLaren 720S Spider by MSO highlights the advanced aerodynamics of the new Super Series convertible by accentuating elements of the car's aero design, in a spectacular fusion of colours. Each aero accent features a harmonious blend of three MSO metallic paints: Cerulean Blue, Burton Blue - as used on the McLaren 720S GT3 - and Abyss Black. The innovative tri-tone paint finish, named Coriolis, advances technologies demonstrated by the McLaren 720S Velocity by MSO first shown at Geneva in 2017; that car's two hues of red epitomised the sporting aggression of the Coupé, while this new approach for the Spider places a more subtle emphasis on the Super Series convertible.

"Aerodynamic innovation is such an integral part of the 720S Spider that using this new paint design to highlight areas that work hard to manage how air flows over the car - literally how the car 'breathes' - was the natural approach to take. This is a car that truly merges artistry with the science of aerodynamics." Darryl Scriven, MSO Chief Designer, McLaren Automotive

MSO's specialist craftspeople dedicated in excess of 260 hours to comple the tri-tone paint elements alone, applied to individual body panels to emulate the flow of air over the McLaren 720S Spider's aerodynamic body while the car is moving. Parts finished with the tri-tone paint include the front splitter, hood air intakes, front air intakes and side panels, lower door and lower side air intake panels, door mirrors, rear bumper and the underside of the active rear spoiler - all key elements in delivering the exceptional aerodynamic performance of the new Super Series convertible.

https://www.netcarshow.com/mclaren/2019-720s_spider_by_mso/

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