With the 570S Spider McLaren shows, once more, that it’s possible to offer a super sports car at the level of Ferrari or Lamborghini at prices comparable to general high-end vehicles such as Mercedes Benz, BMW or Audi. For around US$200,000, the British automaker offers a true “supercar,” equipped with a potent 3.8L 562hp twin turbo V8 that can go from 0–60 mph in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 204 mph.

• Convertible two-seater with a power roof that goes up or down in 15 seconds.
• 3.8 liter, 562-horsepower aluminum V8 engine.
• 0–60 mph in 3.2 seconds, top speed of 204 mph.

McLaren has been the fastest-growing supercar brand since its relaunch in the year 2010. In the past seven years, this small automaker has released over ten new models, and today it boasts an interesting range of offerings at three price levels. The 570S Spider belongs to the brand’s entry-level lineup, called the Sport series.

McLaren has been the fastest-growing supercar brand since its relaunch in the year 2010.

This Sport series offers an exceptionally spirited experience, which starts with the meticulous selection of technologies and components that connect the driver directly with the engine, the chassis and the road. For instance, instead of using the power steering that prevails in the industry, the 570S Spider returns to hydraulic steering, which more faithfully communicates the exact position of the front wheels, their level of grip and the thrust power of the rear traction.

Concurrently, its carbon fiber MonoCell chassis provides optimal rigidity for sports driving. In order to ensure the highest level of comfort in everyday use, the driving options range from Normal, Sport and Track, increasing or decreasing suspension as well as varying the level of power and engine response.

[more-links]The retractable roof, which weighs only 101 pounds, folds down in just 15 seconds, and the surprise is that, with the roof down, the car neither loses rigidity nor sacrifices performance. The aerodynamic layout is excellent, and one of its most interesting features is the dual-function rear window. This small rear window serves to maintain the aerodynamic coefficient when the roof is down while letting beautiful sound of the powerful V8 engine into the cabin (if the driver so wishes) when the roof is up.

The model’s interior is strictly sporty, sober and elegant, with exceptional materials such as Alcantara, hand-stitched leather, carbon fiber and metals with excellent finishes. One novelty for a compact sports car is the generous space for storing things in the glove compartment, between the seats, and in the doors. This detail confirms that the 570S has been designed for everyday use in spite of its sports identity.

McLaren 570S Spider

In sum, the 570S Spider is a pleasing and balanced automobile. Pleasing because, as soon as you get in, you feel that you’re in a very high-end “supercar,” and when you step on the gas, it offers performance that’s intoxicating because of its power, sound and the incomparable sensation of being in command of a true rear-wheel drive beast. And balanced because it allows all these pleasures for a high but reasonable price, much less than that flaunted by comparable models from brands such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Pagani. With this vehicle, McLaren introduces an excellent option in the competitive super sports convertible market.  ■