2013 was an important year for McLaren. 
Not only because the 2014 McLaren P1 arrived as a successor for the iconic 1993 McLaren F1 and as one of the world’s first hybrid supercars , but also because it marked the first time the British brand has had more than one vehicle in its lineup. It was the year McLaren started to expand as a global automaker. Since then, the Brits introduced the 2015 McLaren 650S and its many iterations, and launched the Sports Series , a new line of smaller sports cars . Having already spawned the 2016 McLaren 570S and the 2016 McLaren 540C, the Sports Series is set to gain more versions in the future, one of which is the 570S Spider.
As its name suggests, the 570S Spider will be a topless version of the 570S Coupe ; a smaller and more affordable alternative to the 2015 McLaren 650S Spider . According to McLaren’s business plan, the drop-top is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2017 for the 2018 model year , soon after the brand will launch a GT variant of the 570S Coupe.
Although official details are not available as of this writing, the 570S Spider isn’t much of a mystery, as it should receive both the styling and the drivetrain of the coupe . Keep reading for the full details.
Note: McLaren 570S Coupe pictured here.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 McLaren 570S Spider.
Exterior
Note: standard 2016 McLaren 570S shown.
When the 650S, which replaced the 2012-2013 McLaren MP4-12C , arrived with a front fascia inspired by the P1 , it became clear that the supercar’s design had become McLaren’s new corporate look.
Not surprisingly, the smaller 570S received a similar front end with slightly bigger headlamps and a different bumper.
Not surprisingly, the smaller 570S received a similar front end with slightly bigger headlamps and a different bumper. But that’s not to say the 570S doesn’t have its own styling features.
The dihedral doors employ a “floating tendon” to divide the airflow, channeling it into the side intakes, while the rear section, unique to the Sports Series, features flying buttresses and teardrop-shaped glass. A pair of exhaust pipes flanking the diffuser and a new engine lid further set the 570S apart from the 650S.
All these details will be present on the 570S Spider as well, because I’m 100 percent certain its styling will be identical to the Coupe, except for the folding hard-top roof. Of course, as it is the case with all open-top cars, the Spider will be slightly heavier than the Coupe. Expect it to gain around 85 pounds over the Coupe, which should translate into a curb weight of around 2,980 pounds.
Interior
Note: 2016 McLaren 570S Coupe interior shown.
As you might have already guessed, the 570S Spider’s will also be identical to the Coupe’s. This means it will feature the same cockpit designed around the driver and with improved day-to-day usability, enhanced roominess, and, thanks to brand’s intelligent and ergonomic design, with the most usable space of any McLaren to date. Other highlights include leather-trimmed dashboard and seats (racing seats are optional), and an extensive options list, including Alcantara, Nappa leather and carbon-fiber selections. In short, McLaren is aiming the 570S Spider at the 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible .
Drivetrain
Motivation will be provided by same twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V-8 engine powering McLaren’s entire lineup of supercars and sports cars. The mill will feature the exact same specs as the 570S Coupe, meaning it will crank out 570 PS (hence the name), which converts to 562 horsepower, and 443 pound-feet of torque.
While the 570S Coupe needs only 3.2 seconds to hit 62 mph and 9.5 ticks to reach 124 mph, the Spider should be a tad slower due to the added weight.
This output makes the 570S significantly less powerful than the 650S (rated 640 horses), but puts it on par with the 911 Turbo S.
While the 570S Coupe needs only 3.2 seconds to hit 62 mph and 9.5 ticks to reach 124 mph, the Spider should be a tad slower due to the added weight. My guess is it will take you to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and to 124 mph in about 9.7 seconds. Top speed should also decrease slightly from the Coupe’s 204 mph to around 202 mph.
Much like its coupe sibling, the drop-top will be slower than its Porsche -badged rival, which charges from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds flat. However, the McLaren has a superior top speed, and, more importantly, it should be significantly lighter.
Despite gaining a few pounds due to a reinforced chassis, the 570S Spider should be more than 500 pounds lighter than the 911 Turbo S and at least 100 pounds lighter than the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 . Likewise, it should deliver a class-leading power-to-weight ratio of at least 400 horses per ton.
Drivetrain Specifications
Chassis, Suspension And Brakes
The 570S Spider will also employ McLaren’s carbon-fiber, MonoCell II chassis, specifically tuned for day-to-day usability. The chassis weighs less than 176 pounds in the 570S Coupe, but it’s strong and stiff enough to provide optimum levels of performance and protection, according to the company.
The coupe’s suspension system uses independent adaptive dampers with front and rear anti-rollbars and dual wishbones, and it should be transferred into the Spider with the same specifications and three modes — “Normal”, “Sport” and “Track.” Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic brakes, while grip is provided by Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires.
Prices
Given the 650S Spider has a $15,000 premium over the Coupe, it’s safe to assume that the 570S Spider will retail from around $200,000. The coupe is priced from $184,900.
Competition
2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible
Considered by many the benchmark for the sports car market, the 911 Turbo S uses a 3.8-liter flat-six that pumps out 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Though it’s slightly less powerful than the McLaren, the 911 has a lot more torque and hits 60 mph in three seconds flat. The 570S is actually as fast as the non S Turbo model, but only if it’s not equipped with the Chrono package, which reduces the sprint from 3.3 to 3.1 ticks. Its top speed, however, is likely to be inferior to the 570S Spider’s at 197 mph.
Recent spy shots suggest a refresh is underway, but don’t expect it to feature massive changes inside or out. Pricing for the 911 Turbo S Convertible starts from $194,600, which should make it a bit more affordable than the McLaren. Fuel economy is also a strong point for the 911, as it can return up to 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Read more about the Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible here.
2016 Audi R8
Redesigned for the 2016 model year, the R8 has yet to receive a convertible version, but it should arrive just in time for the 2017 model year. The second-gen R8 is packed with weight-saving components, like carbon-fiber-reinforced body and chassis parts and an aluminum front end, which means the sports car can accelerate, handle and stop more effectively than its predecessor.
The updated 5.2-liter V-10 engine, shared with the 2015 Lamborghini Huracan , now generates 540 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque in the base model, while the uprated version churns 610 horses and 413 pound-feet in the V10 Plus. Given the V10 Plus needs 3.2 seconds to hit 60 mph, I expect the drop-top to match the McLaren’s benchmark. Top speed should also be similar at around 202 mph.
Find out more about the new Audi R8 here.
Conclusion
Along with the 540C Spider and 570S GT, the 570S Spider is part of the next logical step in expanding the Sports Series lineup. Granted, it won’t bring anything new except for the removal top, but that’s exactly what makes it special, because being able to cruise in an open sports car is a remarkable experience. What’s more, with Porsche already offering a convertible version of the 911 Turbo S and Audi working on a drop-top R8, McLaren has no choice but to join this niche in order to keep customers happy.