McLaren pulled off a coup with its
2013 McLaren 12C Spider convertible in matching its performance to its 2013 McLaren 12C coupé equal. This is a major achievement because convertibles are notorious for compromising ride and handling. The 12C Spider drives like a coupe. “Roof up, the 12C Spider feels much like a 12C coupé to be honest, albeit with a bit more rage at the top end and an even sharper gearbox than before,” writes Steve Sutcliffe in Autocar.
Pull out of the garage and press a button, the hard top roof retracts in 17 seconds. By the time you hit 20 mph, the roof is open ready to hit the open road. “Rotate a few buttons, put the hood back up, glide the rear screen into place and it will do the full Jekyll and Hyde routine, in either direction,” Sutcliffe writes. “Which makes it one of the most versatile supercars there has ever been, and one that even the 458 Spider might struggle to match.”
The 12C Spider uses the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine from the 2013 McLaren 12C. The convertible generates 443 lb-ft of torque between 3,000 and 7,000 rpm. McLaren architected the 12C Spider to match the performance and balance of the 12C. The new McLaren 12C Spider has only 0.5% more weight than the 12C.
Part of the magic in the convertible’s performance comes from smart weight-saving solutions that boost power output. Even the retractable hard top roof uses lightweight materials. Applying years of experience in racing and aerodynamics, engineers designed the hard top and backseat cover to smoothly blend with the body for minimal drag.
To ensure the 12C Spider performs as well as its coupé counterpart, the convertible has a carbon fiber MonoCell chassis. This provides a torsional rigidity and structural integrity. The MonoCell keeps the convertible roadster lightweight for handling and safety that equals fixed-roof roasters.
Considering all the power the roadster has, braking is an important function in ensuring safe and fast cornering and maintaining control. Brake Steer prevents understeering by using precise braking force to the inside rear wheel to pivot the car and advances cornering performance. It works so well that Formula 1 banned the technology. Yet it’s welcome on the road.
Every component of the 12C Spider convertible is engineered just for the convertible. No parts come from other manufacturers, which makes the roadster one of the purest cars in the world built by McLaren engineers. Forget all the other cars’ 0 to 60 mph time because the 12C Spider does it in 3.1 seconds and hits a top speed of 204 mph just like its coupé counterpart. Mind blowing. Neil Lyndon of the Telegraph writes, “[N]othing on four wheels is better than the McLaren 12C Spider.” Visit
McLaren Dallas to uncover how the no roof roadster makes zero compromises in performance that blows away the competition.
The
2013 McLaren 12C Spider has a range of material and color options available to allow customers plenty of freedom to personalize their car. This includes the Semi-Aniline leather sport interior, which features a more naturally textured finish. The interior of the RHT roof panels are lined either in Carbon Black Fabric or optional Carbon Black Alcantara.
Meridian, the bespoke British hi-fi specialists developed the audio system specifically for the 12C Spider to optimize music output based on whether the top is up or down. Meridian had a hand in the audio system’s development throughout the car’s design.
The climate control system is also recalibrated to automatically adjust when the roof is down. Airflow to the windscreen is reduced and redirected to the lower cabin vents. Fan speed also responds to vehicle speed, to maintain the desired temperature.
When the roof is closed, the climate control settings use the same settings as the 12C. However, when the rear cabin glass is lowered – which can be done independently of the roof – the climate control system is automatically adjusted to keep cabin temperature level and passengers comfortable.
The McLaren 12C Spider features a heated glass rear window. With the open top, the rear window automatically moves to a position to limit buffeting. When the roof is up, lowering the window provides direct access to the sound of the V8 engine mounted behind the cabin.
The Intake Sound Generator (ISG) controls engine intake noise within the cabin at differing levels, depending on the Powertrain mode. Moving up through Normal, Sport and Track Powertrain modes allows a more natural sound of the V8 engine noise to enter the cabin. The driver can select the level of engine noise delivered in each mode through an electronic menu in the instrument cluster.
To ensure the audible experience is optimized for open-top driving, McLaren developed the exhaust to suit the harmonics of the 12C Spider body shape.
The fully automatic retractable roof opens or closes the roof in fewer than 17 seconds, and can be activated at speeds up to 19 mph. Roof control is activated through a two-position switch on the center panel in the 2013 McLaren 12C Spider. When lowered, the roof stows beneath a body colored hard tonneau cover that incorporates twin buttresses. With the roof closed, the area beneath the tonneau cover can be used as additional luggage space.
A roll over protection system includes a steel structure in the rear to absorb energy from the impact and protect occupants. The Carbon fibre MonoCell not only helps with rigidity and handling, but also safety.
The 12C Spider features a 3.8-liter V8 engine that delivers 616 bhp @ 7,000 rpm and 442 lb-ft of torque between 3,000 and 7,000 rpm. The 12C Spider rockets from 0 to 60 in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 204 mph.