Playing For Keeps: Mclaren 570s Spider

McLaren Automotive came out with all guns blazing in 2011, with plans to knock Ferrari and Lamborghini off their supercar pedestals. Next up, McLaren takes aim at mainstream car brands at Porsche and AMG with their volume chasing 570S Spider.

- Damien Reid

For those in the sports car game (like Porsche, Aston Martin and AMG) who watched newcomer McLaren take on the supercar heavyweights in 2011, the thought of a competitor marching into their more mainstream territory was a frightening prospect.

And sure enough, while the 12C, 650S and P1 were pushing and shoving the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini, news of a more mainstream 570S to take on the Porsche 911 Turbo, AMG GT S and Audi R8 V10 gave the establishment something to worry about.

A Formula One business has the ability to adapt at lightning pace to market needs. After establishing its road car operations at the top end against the supercar brands, the 570S model allows McLaren to take on the volume sports car brands at their own game.

LONGER AND TALLER

The 570S Spider borrows the roof-folding mechanism from the super series lineup. This two piece aluminium roof folds into a neat compartment located behind the seats of the car, leaving the rear buttress in place. This clever roof-folding mechanism will take you from top to topless in just 30 seconds! Unlike the 12C Spider and the 650S Spider, the 570S Spider required no significant re-engineering for the roof-folding mechanism because of the carbon monocell used in the 570S. As a result, the 570S Spider is only 46 kg (101 lb) heavier than the coupe.