McLaren Automotive has just enjoyed a bumper 2018 in terms of sales. And the brand does not have any intentions of letting off the gas pedal. The McLaren 600LT Spider is the third model to be launched under the marque’s ambitious £1,2bn Track25 business plan. As the name suggests, 25 new models or derivatives will be launched under this banner.

Topless performance

The McLaren 600LT Spider is based on the recently launched 600LT, but, you guessed it, it offers the option of open-top motoring. A retractable hardtop adds just 50 kg (for a total of 1 297 kg) to the mass of the 600LT, which is already a comparatively light car. The powered roof can be lowered at speeds of up to 40km/h. An electrically-operated, glass wind deflector can be raised and lowered independently of the hardtop to allow more of the exhaust sound into the cabin.

As with all ‘Longtail’ derivatives, the McLaren 600LT Spider has increased power, reduced weight, optimised aerodynamics, track-focused dynamics and limited availability.

Twin-turbocharged power

The McLaren 600LT Spider employs a twin-turbocharged, 3,8-litre V8 that produces the same 442 kW of power and 620 N.m of torque, as it does in the Coupé. Power is transferred via a dual-clutch, Seamless Shift seven-speed Gearbox (SSG) that features an ignition cut in Sport mode to facilitate faster changes. McLaren says the 600LT Spider will reach 100 km/h from a standstill in a blistering 2,9 seconds. Maximum speed is 324 km/h with the roof raised, or a hairdresser-friendly 315 km/h with it lowered.

As with its coupe sibling the McLaren 600LT Spider has lightweight carbon fibre bodywork that creates the Longtail silhouette. The revised bodywork and fixed rear wing generates 100kg of downforce at 250km/h.  To fully capitalise on revised suspensions settings the 600LT Spider is fitted with bespoke, track-focused Pirelli P- Zero Trofeo R tyres.

Illustrious company

The new McLaren 600LT Spider is the fifth model to carry the LT badge. It joins the illustrious bloodline that began in 1997 with the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’, of which only a development prototype and nine examples were built. The Longtail name was revived with the launch of the 675LT Coupé, which was followed by a 675LT Spider. The fourth model to bear the Longtail name was the 600LT Coupé.