Unveiling the McLaren 765LT Spider
McLaren has revealed the new 765LT Spider and it has gotten a lot of attention, to say the least. The company will only be making 765 models to match its name, but orders are already sold out for 2021. There will be more taken for 2022, but this is quite the feat.
“As we continue to build the LT sub-brand with the introduction of the new 765LT Spider, it’s clear that our customers are increasingly attracted to the Longtail supercar proposition of exhilarating, extreme performance and limited availability. With all 765 examples of the 765LT coupe sold, it’s no surprise that as we publicly announce our new LT Spider, production capacity for 2021 is already filled.” – Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive
The sharp looks and weight savings of the McLaren 765LT Spider.
Much of the McLaren 765LT Spider keeps a lot of the same features as the 765LT Coupé. This includes the front splitter, front floor, side skirts, front and rear bumpers and rear diffuser. It has the same active rear wing too which is calibrated to accommodate the different roof positions of the electrically operated Retractable Hard Top (RHT).
The wheels are all lightweight forged alloy. But that is just the first of all the lightweight materials used to keep a low 1388 kg. This is partially thanks to the carbon fibre MonoCage II-S. In comparison to the coupé, it is only a mere 49 kg heavier.
More weight saving comes in the form of the titanium exhaust system, thinner glass and other F1-grade materials.
The cabin also remains the same as the 765LT Coupé, featuring loads of carbon fibre for weight saving. Most notably are the carbon-fibre racing seats, centre tunnel and exposed carbon-fibre floor. It’s not all hard and uncomfortable carbon fibre though as McLaren gave the cabin of the 765LT Spider a lightweight Alcantara trim.
“Lowering the convertible roof of the 765LT Spider opens up another level of driver engagement. The coupe is impressive in its own right, but when you lower the roof of the Spider, there is a step-change in character – almost a theatrical element, like experiencing a live orchestra from right in front of the stage.” – Ian Howshall, Global Product Manager, McLaren Automotive
Powered by the same massive V8.
It’s the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine that powers the 765LT Spider. Mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which McLaren claim has faster in-gear acceleration, it produces 563 kW and 800 Nm.
It’s this that allows the Spider to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a mere 2.8 seconds and then 200 km/h in 7.2 seconds. It will finally reach a top speed of 330 km/h.
