McLaren 570S Spider 2017 revealed and pricing for Aus confirmed

McLaren has whipped the covers off its 570S Spider, which will arrive in Australia during the fourth quarter of this year as the fourth model in the brand's Sports Series line-up.

Priced from $435,750 before on-road costs, the two-seat drop-top suffers no loss in the performance stakes, rocketing from zero to 100km/h in the same 3.2 seconds as its fixed-roof 570S sibling.

Similarly, a top speed of 328km/h is shared between the two, but is reduced to 315km/h when the two-piece roof is down.

Power is again provided by a mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that punches out 419kW at 7500rpm and 600Nm from 5000rpm to 6500rpm, with drive sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy is rated at 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle test, while carbon dioxide emissions were tested at 249 grams/km.

The British car maker claims that there are no changes to structural rigidity over the Coupe, while the Spider only pays a 46kg penalty for its open-air driving capabilities thanks to its carbon-fibre construction.

Taking just 15 seconds to open or close, the retractable hardtop can be operated at speeds of up to 40km/h. This same technology was employed by the 650S and 675LT Spiders.

An optional sports system can be added to the Spider, which channels exhaust sound towards the cabin.

Furthermore, an electrically-operated glazed wind deflector can be raised or lowered when the roof is up or down.

Fans of the manufacturer will be pleased to know that its signature dihedral doors carry over in the Spider, which are often a casualty when a coupe loses its roof.

Due to changes to the 570S' body shape, the extended roof spoiler – which is finished in 'Dark Palladium grey' – has increased in height by 12mm to compensate, but offers the same amount of downforce as the Coupe.

A double-wishbone suspension set-up is used for the front and rear axles, with adaptive dampers and anti-roll bars to match. Three different driving modes – 'Normal', 'Sport' and 'Track' – allow ride comfort to be modified on the go.

Stopping power in provided by carbon-ceramic brakes, with the 394mm front and 380mm rear discs complimented by six-piston and four-pot callipers respectively.

Meanwhile, the lightweight alloy wheels are staggered and wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber (front – 225/35 R19, rear – 285/35 R20).

Inside, standard features include a 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, leather upholstery and six-way adjustable seats with memory function.

Twenty paint colours are available to choose from, including three new additions – 'Curacao Blue', 'Vega Blue' and 'Sicilian Yellow'.

McLaren's newest model will face competition from the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 Spyder ($470,800), Porsche 911 Turbo Carbriolet ($411,800), Ferrari California T ($409,888) and forthcoming Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster when it launches Down Under.

The 570S Spider will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK on June 29.

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