British supercar manufacturer McLaren has today pulled the covers back on its new drop-top Artura Spider, bringing with it several performance upgrades that will also be applied to the coupé.
The new variant has been a long time coming, especially since the model was originally designed to accommodate a convertible configuration when it first launched two years ago. But that also means McLaren hasn’t had to add any additional stiffening to the the car’s chassis, with the only difference in the way it drives being the wind in your hair.
Putting the roof up or down takes approximately 11 seconds, with the retractable hard top being stowed behind the driver and passenger seats in its own compartment. With that, the Spider weighs just 62kg more than that coupé, resulting in a kerbweight of 1560kg.
Not to worry, the additional mass has little effect when it comes to performance as the mid-mounted 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 now makes an extra 15kW, bringing the combustion engine’s output to 445kW and 720Nm of torque. When combined with the hybrid system, overall power comes to 515kW.
Current owners of the coupé will be pleased to know that they are entitled to the same power upgrade free of charge at their nearest McLaren dealership.
As for all 2025 model year Arturas, they will each come with a revised valved exhaust system as standard which is said to provide a “cleaner” sound.
Amendments to the supercar’s hybrid system see its electric-only range increase from 30km to 33km, with power being drawn from a 7.4kWh battery.
When it comes down to business, the Spider can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in three seconds, 0 to 200km/h in 8.4 seconds, and 0 to 300km/h in 21.6 seconds, while its top speed is an electronically limited 330km/h.
Other upgrades to the model variant include a new launch control system, stiffened engine mounts, and revised suspension dampening. The eight-speed automatic gearbox has also been fettled with on all 2025 Arturas, reducing shift times by 25 per cent.
McLaren says drivers can now switch from the ‘Electric’ driving mode to ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, or ‘Track’ easier thanks to a preheated catalytic converter.
Inside, customers can now choose from an optional wireless device charger, alongside a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, and more.
The local arm of McLaren expects the Artura Spider to arrive in New Zealand in the third quarter of 2024, with the model available to order now alongside the 2025 Artura Coupe.
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