This is the convertible version of the McLaren 650S: the 650S Spider. Given how closely the 650S coupe is based upon the 12C, it’s no surprise to see the 650S Spider looking very much like a 12C: same folding hard-top roof, same 40kg weight penalty, same boasts by McLaren that the carbon tub needs no extra reinforcing for its role in a cabriolet.
How fast is the McLaren 650S Spider?
Though the 650S Spider is 40kg heavier than the hard-top and has some of its P1-echoing aerodynamic talent spoiled by chopping the top off, it’s still a very fast piece of kit. The Brit’s 641bhp twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 will punch the car to 62mph in a claimed 3.0sec.
It’s two-tenths slower to 124mph than the hard-top: 8.6sec plays 8.4sec. The top speed is 204mph – 3mph slower than the coupe.
Any other cool details?
Like the 12C Spider, the retractable hard-top of the 650S can be dropped in 17sec, at up to 19mph. And if the weather’s inclement but you want to hear the bark of the 3.8-litre powerhouse behind you, owners can drop the rear window independently of the roof to stay dry and let engine roar fill the cabin.
You’ll pay £215,250 for the 650S Spider: a chunky £20,000 more than a 650S coupe costs. That makes the 650S Spider the most expensive McLaren this side of the P1, but then again, you can’t drop the roof in the 903bhp hybrid hypercar.
>> Check out CAR’s complete tech analysis of the McLaren 650S here