McLaren reveals ‘track-focused’ 600LT Spider
BY SPENCER LEECH | 17th Jan 2019
MCLAREN Automotive has unveiled the fifth car to carry the iconic Longtail (LT) name, in the form of a drop-top Spider based on the 600LT supercar platform.
The 600LT Spider will go on sale in Europe in March for £201,500 ($A361,950) plus on-road costs, meaning the English convertible will likely cost close to $500,000 when it arrives Down Under.
For comparison, the slightly more sedate 570S Spider is priced at $435,750 in Australia, and the all-business 675LT Coupe tops the line-up at $616,250.
McLaren says the new 600LT Spider weighs just 50kg more than its coupe sibling at 1297kg, meaning it matches the tin-top’s zero to 100km/h time of 2.9 seconds.
Top speed is rated at 324km/h with the roof raised, or 315km/h with it lowered.
However, the Spider is 0.2 seconds slower than the Coupe when measured from 0-200km/h.
The performance pair share the same engine, a 441kW/620Nm 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8, which translates to a 340kW per tonne power-to-weight figure in the case of the Spider.
Opening up the roof is done at the press of a button, with a three-piece power retractable hardtop roof that can operated at speeds of up to 40km/h.
A separate electrically operated, glazed wind deflector can be activated independently of the hardtop roof to reduce buffeting, or to allow more exhaust noise into the cabin.
The English supercar also benefits from bespoke Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo R tyres, lightweight Alcantara trim and carbon-fibre racing seats from the McLaren P1 as standard.
Customers can also option for the racing seats featured in the McLaren Senna, either on their own or as part of the MSO Clubsport Pack which also includes an interior upgrade, gloss guard louvres and titanium wheel bolts.
With the MSO Clubsport Pack equipped, the 600LT Spider weighs 100kg less than the 570S Spider.
For further weight saving, buyers can option to delete the audio and climate control systems.
Otherwise, the Spider shares the rest of its ‘track-focused’ mechanicals with its coupe sibling, including a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission, forged-aluminium double-wishbone suspension and a lightweight braking system packaged in a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis.
Development of the 600LT Spider is part of McLaren’s £1.2 billion ($A2.1 billion) ‘Track25’ business plan which will see the delivery of 18 new cars or derivatives by the end of 2025.
The Spider will be manufactured in limited number at the Mclaren Production Centre in Woking, Surrey, England, with Australian timing and pricing yet to be confirmed.
