McLaren's Confidence in the Spider

An open-top version, the "Spider," has been added to the lineup of McLaren Automotive's super sports car, the "MP4-12C." Full-scale deliveries to customers are scheduled to begin in 2013, and it is expected to account for approximately 80 percent of the MP4-12C series.

The stage for the test drive of the MP4-12C Spider was the Ascari Race Resort, a private circuit in southern Spain. The 5,425-meter course features 26 corners of varying sizes and artificial undulations, increasing its difficulty. In the past, it would not have been common to use such a track for testing an open-top model.



In a scenic resort area overlooking a calm sea, one can experience a different character from the closed model. This is reminiscent of the typical style of press drives for open-top versions derived from super sports cars over the years.

This is likely a testament to McLaren's confidence in the MP4-12C Spider. At the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August, where its form was first seen, and at the Paris Motor Show in September for its official debut, followed by a press event in Tokyo,Tokyo press eventMcLaren also emphasized it as "a model with no compromises on the roof, achieving performance identical to the closed model." There could be no more stringent situation to verify the truth of these words.

Power Unit Enhanced from 600ps to 625ps

Around the time of the Spider's announcement, McLarenUpdates to the MP4-12C for the 2013 Model Yearimplemented updates for the 2013 model year. The most significant change is the increase in maximum output of the mid-mounted 3,799cc V8 twin-turbo engine from the previous 600ps to 625ps. The exhaust system is a dedicated design for the Spider. The accompanying dual-clutch 7-speed gearbox, the SSG, has also been improved to further increase clutch control and shift speeds.



Furthermore, the settings for the Proactive Chassis Control, which uses hydraulic pressure for active roll control instead of stabilizers—a characteristic mechanism of the MP4-12C—have also been further optimized for the 2013 model. Minor changes include the adoption of more compact opener switches with improved operability on the butterfly doors, new wheel designs, and interior options, all of which are noteworthy for customers.

Transforms in Approximately 17 Seconds

The roof adopted by the MP4-12C Spider, like its strongest rival,Ferrari "458 Spider"is a retractable hardtop co-developed with Webasto of Germany.

Ferrari's Claims Sound Like Mere Excuses

Personally, I find the Spider's exterior design more appealing than that of the coupe. While McLaren's design concept, "function creates form," is certainly valid, it has often been criticized as being too "good student"-like compared to Italian super sports cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Of course, the lower part of the Spider's body, below the waistline, is the same as the coupe's. However, by adopting a "tunnel back" design that emphasizes the cabin's compactness, it visually appears lighter, which is the direct reason for this positive impression.



The Active Dynamics panel on the center console features rotary switches that independently control the powertrain and Proactive Chassis Control settings. I began driving, alternating between "Normal" and "Sport" modes, partly to scout the track.

What immediately surprises here is the seamless integration between man and machine, unchanged despite the Spider conversion. This is not an exaggeration; from the moment the tires begin to roll, the driver can place complete trust in the car. This feeling stems from the CFRP monocoque tub, the basic structure. McLaren calls it the "MonoCell," and its overwhelming rigidity is precisely what enables the car's unerringly accurate response to the driver's various inputs.

Ferrari, which uses an aluminum spaceframe as the basic structure for the 458 Spider, claims that adopting a CFRP monocoque for a series production model is premature due to durability concerns. However, this claim becomes mere excuse when faced with the impressive performance of McLaren's MonoCell.

Virtually No Roll During Cornering

The mid-mounted V8 engine delivers a natural feel, as if it were a naturally aspirated engine, if one were not aware of its details beforehand. With maximum torque of 600 Nm available flatly between 3,000 and 7,000 rpm, acceleration is immediate upon pressing the accelerator pedal, regardless of speed. The engine's response near the rev limit has also become sharper with the minor update.

Furthermore, considering that the maximum output of 625 ps is achieved at 7,500 rpm, this engine has a remarkably high-revving character for a twin-turbo. With the roof down, the exhaust note is also transmitted more directly into the cabin. While I have some minor reservations about the sound tuning, perhaps this is a compromise that must be made for a twin-turbo engine.



Once accustomed to the track and controls, I switched the powertrain and chassis control settings to "Track" to fully experience its performance. In this mode, the steering response becomes even quicker, and during cornering, the roll is virtually non-existent from the driver's perspective.

Furthermore, various devices such as brake steer, based on the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) function, and the air brake, which provides effective deceleration from high speeds, work together ideally. The MP4-12C Spider delivers a captivating drive that makes you feel no difference from the coupe model.

Strictly speaking, the weight has increased by about 40 kg, and the aerodynamics have likely changed, so the driving experience of the Spider and the coupe are not entirely identical. However, only those with considerable driving skill would be able to perceive the difference.

Balancing Control and Ride Comfort

After completing a hot lap with its overwhelming control and a ride comfort that belied its super sports car status, I took a cruise on the winding roads around the circuit to cool down.

What struck me again here was the complete absence of unpleasant elements, such as wind buffeting in the cabin. The audio and air conditioning systems, optimized for the Spider, are also superb.



The vertical display on the center console, called "IRIS," is also used for the navigation system. It remains to be seen whether the Japanese specifications will include the same functionality.

The MP4-12C Spider's top speed is 328 km/h. The price in Japan was announced at the recent press event as 30 million yen. Incidentally, McLaren aims for an annual production of around 1,500 units in 2013, with the Japanese market expected to account for approximately 80 of those.

McLaren MP4-12C Spider | McLaren MP4-12C Spider
Body Size | Length 4,509 x Width 1,910 x Height 1,203 mm
Wheelbase | 2,670 mm
Tread Front / Rear | 1,656 / 1,583 mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,376 kg
Engine | 3,799 cc V8 Twin-Turbo
Maximum Output | 625 ps (approx. 460 kW) / 7,500 rpm
Maximum Torque | 600 Nm (approx. 61.2 kgm) / 3,000-7,000 rpm
0-100 km/h Acceleration | 3.3 seconds (3.1 seconds with Corsa tires)
Top Speed | 329 km/h
Transmission | 7-speed Dual Clutch
Tires Front/Rear | Pirelli P Zero 235/35 R19 / Pirelli P Zero 305/30 R20
Fuel Consumption (EU Combined Cycle) | 11.7 L / 100 km
CO2 Emissions | 279 g/km
Price | 30,000,000 Yen