McLaren opens up the 650S Spider
Wed, Mar 5 2014
With the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 producing the same 641-horsepower, McLaren quotes the 0-62 mile-per-hour time for the 650S Spider at the same 3.0 seconds flat as the 650S coupe. Line up both versions and keep the pedals planted on both all the way up to 124, however, and the coupe will get there 0.2 seconds faster than the roadster. It'll take just one-tenth longer to cover a quarter mile, and it'll also top out at 204, three fewer miles per hour than the coupe, but fuel consumption is quoted as identical.
In other words, the performance difference is negligible. That's because the Spider weighs just 88 pounds more than the coupe – less even than what Alfa Romeo took to chop the roof off the 4C, and the new McLaren (like the 12C Spider) uses a retractable hardtop at that, taking just 17 seconds to drop or raise at speeds of up to 19 mph. That's a pretty impressive transformation, leaving those who enjoy the best of both worlds with few reasons not to go with the roadster. But while pricing hasn't been announced, we have the distinct feeling it's not a choice many people will have to make.
OPEN-TOP MCLAREN 650S SPIDER JOINS 650S COUPE IN GENEVA GLOBAL DEBUT
- New McLaren 650S Spider just as engaging on road and track as fixed-roof Coupe
- 0-100km/h (62 mph) takes 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.6 seconds
- No reduction in torsional strength due to unique carbon fibre MonoCell chassis; similar weight, too
- Two piece roof can be raised or lowered in less than 17 seconds on the move at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph)
McLaren Automotive has now released images and full information for the convertible version of its latest model, the McLaren 650S, unveiled at the 84th International Geneva Motor Show. The McLaren 650S Spider is a no compromise open-top high performance sports car offering the same performance, handling and driver enjoyment, with the addition of a two-piece retractable hard top. The latest model is shown in Tarocco Orange, a new addition to the McLaren colour collection, developed with technology partner AkzoNobel.
The McLaren 650S Spider is mechanically identical to the 650S Coupe and is fitted with the unique McLaren M838T twin turbo V8 engine, producing 650PS (641 bhp) and 678 Nm (500 lb ft). This means a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint of 3.0 seconds, identical to the Coupe, and 200 km/h (124 mph) is reached in 8.6 seconds, only 0.2 seconds shy of the fixed-head model. Maximum speed is 329 km/h mph (204 mph). Fuel consumption and emissions remain the same for the 650S Spider, returning 24.2 mpg (11.7 l/100km) on the EU combined cycle and 275 g/km.
Most competitors do not offer high performance iterations as convertibles due to the compromises that invariably plague open-roof cars. These models will be heavier and have substantially less torsional rigidity, to the detriment of handling and ride.
The carbon fibre MonoCell chassis at the heart of the McLaren 650S requires no additional strengthening or reinforcing in open-top guise, and gives the 650S Spider identical handling and ride, and virtually identical straight-line performance figures. The overall weight of the 650S Spider is 1,370 kg (dry), an increase of only 40 kg over the Coupe, with this additional mass coming from the Retractable Hard Top and roof mechanism, and is less than any other car in its class.
The two-piece Retractable Hard Top can be automatically raised or lower in less than 17 seconds, and can be activated while stationary or at any speed up to 30km/h (19mph).
As with the 12C Spider, the 650S Spider uses a heated glass rear window, operating independently of the roof. With the roof down, the rear window acts as a wind deflector, reducing cabin buffeting. Roof up, the rear screen can be lowered to allow more engine noise – and driving drama – into the cabin, and for a semi-open top driving experience even when it is raining. When down, the roof is stowed beneath a body-coloured hard tonneau cover incorporated in the twin rear buttresses. With the roof raised, the area beneath the tonneau cover can be used as additional luggage space.
Rather than being a stripped out road racer, the 650S Coupe and 650 Spider models are fitted with a high level of luxury equipment as standard. Carbon ceramic brakes sit behind unique '650' lightweight alloy wheels shod with Pirelli P Zero™ Corsa tyres, IRIS satellite navigation with Bluetooth telephony, DAB digital radio in Europe (SIRIUS satellite radio in North America), wireless tethering, audio streaming and voice control are all fitted as standard, and the cabin is fully trimmed in Alcantara.
*with standard-fit Pirelli P Zero™ Corsa tyre
All figures apply to a European specification McLaren 6505 Spider
- New McLaren 650S Spider just as engaging on road and track as fixed-roof Coupe
- 0-100km/h (62 mph) takes 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.6 seconds
- No reduction in torsional strength due to unique carbon fibre MonoCell chassis; similar weight, too
- Two piece roof can be raised or lowered in less than 17 seconds on the move at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph)
McLaren Automotive has now released images and full information for the convertible version of its latest model, the McLaren 650S, unveiled at the 84th International Geneva Motor Show. The McLaren 650S Spider is a no compromise open-top high performance sports car offering the same performance, handling and driver enjoyment, with the addition of a two-piece retractable hard top. The latest model is shown in Tarocco Orange, a new addition to the McLaren colour collection, developed with technology partner AkzoNobel.
The McLaren 650S Spider is mechanically identical to the 650S Coupe and is fitted with the unique McLaren M838T twin turbo V8 engine, producing 650PS (641 bhp) and 678 Nm (500 lb ft). This means a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint of 3.0 seconds, identical to the Coupe, and 200 km/h (124 mph) is reached in 8.6 seconds, only 0.2 seconds shy of the fixed-head model. Maximum speed is 329 km/h mph (204 mph). Fuel consumption and emissions remain the same for the 650S Spider, returning 24.2 mpg (11.7 l/100km) on the EU combined cycle and 275 g/km.
Most competitors do not offer high performance iterations as convertibles due to the compromises that invariably plague open-roof cars. These models will be heavier and have substantially less torsional rigidity, to the detriment of handling and ride.
The carbon fibre MonoCell chassis at the heart of the McLaren 650S requires no additional strengthening or reinforcing in open-top guise, and gives the 650S Spider identical handling and ride, and virtually identical straight-line performance figures. The overall weight of the 650S Spider is 1,370 kg (dry), an increase of only 40 kg over the Coupe, with this additional mass coming from the Retractable Hard Top and roof mechanism, and is less than any other car in its class.
The two-piece Retractable Hard Top can be automatically raised or lower in less than 17 seconds, and can be activated while stationary or at any speed up to 30km/h (19mph).
As with the 12C Spider, the 650S Spider uses a heated glass rear window, operating independently of the roof. With the roof down, the rear window acts as a wind deflector, reducing cabin buffeting. Roof up, the rear screen can be lowered to allow more engine noise – and driving drama – into the cabin, and for a semi-open top driving experience even when it is raining. When down, the roof is stowed beneath a body-coloured hard tonneau cover incorporated in the twin rear buttresses. With the roof raised, the area beneath the tonneau cover can be used as additional luggage space.
Rather than being a stripped out road racer, the 650S Coupe and 650 Spider models are fitted with a high level of luxury equipment as standard. Carbon ceramic brakes sit behind unique '650' lightweight alloy wheels shod with Pirelli P Zero™ Corsa tyres, IRIS satellite navigation with Bluetooth telephony, DAB digital radio in Europe (SIRIUS satellite radio in North America), wireless tethering, audio streaming and voice control are all fitted as standard, and the cabin is fully trimmed in Alcantara.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION– McLaren 650S SPIDER
| Drivetrain Layout | Longitudinal Mid-Engine, RWD | Track, F/R (mm) | 1656 / 1583 |
| Engine Configuration | V8 Twin Turbo / 3799cc | Length (mm) | 4512 |
| Engine PS / rpm |
650 / 7250 | Width (mm) | 2093 |
| Torque Nm / rpm | 678 / 6000 | Height (mm) | 1203 |
| Transmission | 7 Speed SSG | Dry Weight (kg / lbs) | 1370 / 3020 |
| Body Structure | Carbon Fibre MonoCell with Aluminium Front and Rear Frames |
Active Aerodynamics | McLaren Airbrake |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2670 | Suspension | ProActive Chassis Control |
| Brakes | Carbon Ceramic Discs with Forged Aluminium Hubs (F 394mm/R 380mm) | ProActive Chassis Control modes | Normal / Sport / Track |
| Tyres (F/R) | Pirelli P Zero Corsa 235/35 R19 /
Pirelli P Zero Corsa 305/30 R20 |
Powertrain Modes | Winter / Normal / Sport / Track |
| Wheel Sizes (F/R) | 19" x 8.5"J / 20" x 11" J |
PERFORMANCE DATA – McLaren 650S SPIDER
| Efficiency | CO2 | 275 g/km |
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 24.2 mpg | |
| Power to weight (with lightweight options) | 485 PS (478 bhp) /tonne | |
| CO2/power | 0.42 g/km per PS | |
| Speed | Maximum speed | 329 km/h (204 mph) |
| Acceleration | 0-100 kph (62 mph) | 3.0 s* |
| 0-200 kph (124 mph) | 8.6 s* | |
| 0-300 kph (186 mph) | 26.5 s* | |
| 0-400 m / 1/4 mile | 10.6 @ 222 km/h (138 mph)* | |
| Braking | Braking | 100-0 km/h 30.7 m (101 ft) |
| 200-0 km/h 124 m (407 ft) | ||
| 300-0 km/h 273 m (896 ft) |
All figures apply to a European specification McLaren 6505 Spider
By Noah Joseph
See also: McLaren 650S isn't your average middle child, McLaren 650S will hit 124 mph in 8.4 seconds, McLaren P1 program director gives an aero walkaround.