{"id":343661,"date":"2019-03-02T19:08:03","date_gmt":"2019-03-02T19:08:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/?p=343661"},"modified":"2024-04-14T15:12:48","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T15:12:48","slug":"2019-mclaren-600lt-spider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/2019-mclaren-600lt-spider\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: McLaren 600LT Spider"},"content":{"rendered":"

McLaren 600LT Spider<\/h1>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Back in late 2018, I had the pleasure of writing a comprehensive guide for the 2019 McLaren 600LT<\/a> following its reveal. The car which I still believe is the best McLaren has ever made \u2013 and quite likely the best supercar ever made \u2013 was made available soon after in convertible configuration. In following with tradition, the car is aptly named the Mclaren 600LT Spider<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

600LT Cliff Notes<\/h3>\n

Those less familiar with the 600LT should read my review – linked above – which will summarily tell you that the Coupe is based on the McLaren 570S hardtop; and is the latest rendition of the \u201cLongtail<\/em>\u201d Sports Series cars, hence the \u201cLT\u201d moniker. The Spider is the same, respective to the 570S convertible.<\/p>\n

Essentially, the 600LT is designed to possess nearly 3 inches longer<\/strong> of aerodynamic bodywork and is given a slight power bump, weight reduction, and other performance upgrades. While these changes may appear to be rudimentary, the intricacies of each improvement sum up to make the 600LT a car in its own right. It\u2019s all the little details that matter in a car like this.<\/p>\n

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The McLaren 600LT Spider<\/h3>\n

In every performance metric, the Spider demonstrated core competencies of the Coupe \u2013 blistering pace, connective steering feedback, top-of-class handling abilities and surprisingly refined road manners<\/em> \u00a0\u2013 but with the added appeal of open-wheel driving via a retractable roof<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The 2019 McLaren 600LT Spider is simply just a convertible version of the coupe. Nothing more, and nothing less \u2013 and that\u2019s exactly what makes it so amazing.\u00a0 Any auto manufacturer out there will attest to this as something intricately difficult to accomplish.<\/p>\n

Take what is arguably the best driver\u2019s car ever made, and make it a convertible with no inherent drawbacks such as the typical rigidity and handling penalties associated with an open roof chassis. No big deal, but still a really big deal. Well done, McLaren.<\/p>\n

Engine & Drivetrain<\/h2>\n

The Spider shares the same 3.8L twin-turbocharged engine<\/strong> as the Coupe, which produces 592-horsepower @ 7,500 rpm and 457 lb-ft of torque @ 5,500 rpm<\/strong>. Overall this results in a 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds<\/strong> – identical to the coupe – and a top speed of 201 mph<\/strong>, which is only 3 mph off the pace of its stablemate.<\/p>\n

This continues to provide a 30-horsepower advantage over both 570S variants, with a Senna-inspired shorter length top-exit exhaust<\/strong> being a key feature in this result. It\u2019s not only the spec sheet that gets padded here, as the increased power is also complemented by better throttle response<\/strong> to further enhance the engine\u2019s augmented brawn.<\/p>\n

Truly, the entire drivetrain is identical to the Coupe, with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission<\/strong> continuing its role in delivering power to the rear wheels. In an overall sense, the car continues to exude spectacular road manners in its roadster form, although the transmission remains relatively less refined with the ongoing characteristic of being jerky and clunky at lower speeds.<\/p>\n

Approaching the upper stratosphere of rev ranges and speeds, the drivetrain really starts to shine, providing smooth and linear power delivery that feels as composed as it does exhilarating. At the extreme end of the spectrum, the 600LT Spider manages to reach 100 mph from a standstill in just over 6 seconds<\/strong>, three-tenths faster than the 570S on which it is based.<\/p>\n

Chassis & Handling<\/h2>\n

Many of the most impressive features of the Spider come from how little they have changed – if at all – relative to the Coupe. As mentioned before, this has never been an easy feat, even given today\u2019s technological offerings. Yet in spite of this, the 600LT Spider ways a mere 50 kg more than the Coupe and produces the same 100 kg of downforce at 155 mph as the latter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This was the result of some visually unassuming but important revisions, such as a longer front splitter that has been extended by 27 mm, new side sills designed to channel turbulent air, a redesigned rear diffuser, and a fixed rear wing.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The marginal 50 kg weight penalty comes from the retractable roof mechanism, but this is essentially offset by McLaren\u2019s carbon fibre MonoCell II monocoque<\/strong> – also featuring in the Coupe – which allows the convertible to be no less rigid than the fixed-roof version, and by all accounts that matter, a negligible difference in performance with the top up.<\/p>\n

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The Spider does in fact weigh around 100 kg less than the 570S convertible<\/strong> on which it is based with the appropriate options selected; meaning it has undergone some weight reduction measures if you look at it from this perspective. The 600LT Spider continues to use the same lightweight aluminum double-wishbone suspension setup as the Coupe (and by that relation, the 720S), matched with coil springs and adaptive dampers. The front and rear anti-roll bars have also been stiffened for improved steering response and chassis stability. Ultra-grippy Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires<\/strong> provide contact with the pavement.<\/p>\n

McLaren\u2019s torque vectoring and traction control systems enhance the mechanical suspension components on the car, allowing it to ride as smoothly as it does capably, whether on the winding mountain roads or the esses at the race track. \u2018Normal\u2019, \u2018Sport\u2019 or \u2018Track\u2019<\/em> modes each offer this experience to varying degrees of fun and purpose.<\/p>\n

Design, Styling & Interior<\/h2>\n

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The most notable design cue in the 600LT Spider continues to be, in my opinion, the exhaust exits at the top of the engine cover<\/strong>, rather than through the rear bumper. Not just for crowd pleasing, this design also allows for further weight savings over the 570S and room to fit a larger rear diffuser. In conjunction with the rest of the car\u2019s aerodynamic elements, the Spider produces over 100 kg of downforce at 155 mph – just like the Coupe.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a Longtail edition, the McLaren 600LT Spider is decidedly around\u00a03 inches longer than the 570S convertible on which it is based<\/strong>. Inside the body, the 600LT Spider and Coupe also share the same shortcomings, which are few and easily overlooked when considering what the car was truly designed to do.<\/p>\n

For example, both trims employ a laggy and cumbersome infotainment system that precludes a sense of refinement and convenience that such devices are supposed to provide.\u00a0 The stiffer engine mounts, lack of sound insulation, and overall spartan interior offerings make for a cabin filled with road and mechanical noise.<\/p>\n

Track-day purists and weight-reduction junkies will be happy to know that the 600LT Spider does not feature satellite navigation, a sound system or air conditioning as standard fare. However, buyers on the opposite end of the spectrum will be just as pleased to know that these options can be added just by asking – this is done as complementary by McLaren.<\/p>\n

Pricing<\/h2>\n

Following the tradition of open-top variants, the McLaren 600LT Spider commands a notable premium over the Coupe. This is thanks in large part to the retractable roof mechanism, and other tweaking needed to ensure that the usual performance penalties associated with open-top driving were mitigated.<\/p>\n

Starting at $256,500 USD<\/strong>, the 600LT Spider still manages to occupy the same price range and market position as its fixed-roof variant. This continues to place it well below its spiritual competitors such as the Porsche 911 GT2 RS<\/a> and Ferrari 488 Pista Spider<\/a>, in terms of overall cost, reiterating the McLaren 600LT\u2019s remarkable bang-for-buck in the hyper-performance segment.<\/p>\n

Performance & Specifications Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Model Info<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Country of Origin<\/td>\nUnited Kingdom<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Year Introduced<\/td>\n2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Base Price<\/td>\n\u00a3201,500 ($256,500 USD)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Engine<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Configuration<\/td>\nM838TE 90\u00ba V8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Location<\/td>\nMid, longitudinally mounted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Construction<\/td>\nAluminium block and head<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement<\/td>\n3,799 cc \/ 231.8 cu in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bore \/ Stroke<\/td>\n93.0 mm (3.7 in) \/ 69.9 mm (2.8 in)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Valvetrain<\/td>\n4 valves \/ cylinder, DOHC, Dual VVT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fuel feed<\/td>\nFuel Injection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lubrication<\/td>\nDry sump<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aspiration<\/td>\nTwin Turbo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power<\/td>\n592 bhp \/ 442 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Torque<\/td>\n620 Nm \/ 457 ft lbs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BHP\/Liter<\/td>\n156 bhp \/ liter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Drivetrain<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Gearbox<\/td>\nSSG 7 speed Automatic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drive<\/td>\nRear wheel drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Dimensions<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Weight<\/td>\n1,297 kilo \/ 2,859 lbs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tyres<\/td>\nPirelli P-Zero Trofeo R<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Performance Figures<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Power to weight<\/td>\n0.46 bhp \/ kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Top Speed<\/td>\n324 km\/h (201 mph)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
0-100 km\/h<\/td>\n2.9 s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Galleries<\/h2>\n

Image Gallery<\/h3>\n

McLaren has taken the 570S to the next level, with some reimagined design elements to set the 600LT apart from its donor. Weight savings, aerodynamics, cooling and a bit of showmanship are all emphatically bundled into this package.<\/p>\n

In my opinion, the McLaren 600LT\u2019s extroverted looks are as beautiful as they are functional \u2013 making for a car that radiates the pinnacle of McLaren\u2019s current offerings.<\/p>\n

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Video Gallery<\/h3>\n

Carfection –<\/strong> Henry Catchpole gives his first impressions of the new McLaren 600LT Spider after a brief drive on track in Arizona. Keep an eye out on Carfection for a full feature on the 600LT Spider when we get the car back in for a drive on the UK roads.<\/p>\n