McLaren 720S Spider 2019 review

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McLaren has achieved that rarest of things: a convertible the dynamic equal of the coupé from which it's derived

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    McLaren 720S Spider 2019 review

    McLaren has achieved that rarest of things: a convertible the dynamic equal of the coupé from which it's derived
Mark Tisshaw
27 February 2019

What is it?

Almost two years after its launch, the McLaren 720S remains the best supercar in the world – some achievement from a company that still hasn't even been making cars for a decade.

Even in McLaren's earlier days, when it wasn’t quite on top of the world, it made a darn good convertible supercar with its 650S Spider, and the 12C Spider before it. 

The strength of McLaren’s carbonfibre tub meant a conversion from coupé to convertible could be made without sacrificing stiffness and adding little weight, thus avoiding the main pitfalls that have nearly always historically made a convertible supercar a slower, heavier and worse-looking version of the coupé from which it's derived. 

Now the 720S Spider has arrived to carry on that rich open-top bloodline. Its official brief is to be the ‘most complete convertible supercar’, and if it’s as good as its credentials suggest, it should be the more desirable version of the world’s best supercar, and the one you’d probably buy. The de facto world’s best supercar, even.

Those credentials, then. McLaren’s carbonfibre Monocage II structure has been adapted to now be called Monocage II-S. That essentially means the coupé’s dramatic dihedral doors have been lost due to the fact a retractable one-piece hard-top roof needs to be added, but, in doing so, all of the structural strength has been retained. No fixed roof means the addition of a new rollover protection system, bonded to the chassis, made from carbonfibre and 6.8kg lighter than the 650S Spider’s steel construction.

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While we’re talking weight, the 720S Spider weighs just 1332kg dry, which is lighter than the current class featherweight, the 1420kg Ferrari 488 Spider, and just 49kg heavier than the coupé. Dry, the old 650S Spider weighed 1370kg, which goes to show that McLaren has long known how to make a stiff and light convertible supercar.

Key components, such as the 710bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine and the advanced hydraulic Proactive Chassis Control suspension set-up, make it over from the coupé, with the two cars sharing a 0-62mph time of 2.9sec and a top speed in excess of 200mph. In fact, the Spider can hit 202mph even with its roof down.

What's it like?

Whether or not you’d actually want to do 202mph with the roof down is another matter, but, due to the quite extraordinary force at which the 720S Spider accelerates, you’ve little doubt it’d get you there. This is one seriously quick car, both off the line and while accelerating in gear; another quite remarkable stat is its 0-124mph time of just 7.9sec, which is only 0.1sec shy of the coupé's. This is no poor relation in the performance stakes, and you’re only made to pay for the marginal weight gain when you’re long past speeds at which you’d have your licence confiscated anyway. 

The gearbox is wonderfully integrated, shifting quicker the higher up the rev range you go, and just as competent in operation whether you're using the paddle shifters or simply leaving it to its own devices. 

The one area in which this powertrain falls down is noise, with the twin-turbo V8 lacking any real aural soul and surprisingly quite droney even in top gear on a motorway cruise. You’re not exactly encouraged to have the glass rear screen pulled down to fill the interior with engine noise.

One thing the 720S Spider is very good at is cruising. The ride is very comfortable for such a potent supercar – the kind you can cover big distances in and still feel ready for more. That shouldn’t really be a surprise in a McLaren anymore, yet you’re still taken aback by how sophisticated it all is.

Where McLaren really broke new ground with the 720S over the 12C and 650S before it was how it married that ride sophistication with new-found handling verve, excitement and dynamism. And we're happy to report that's something else carried over from the coupé to the Spider; the car is fast, fun and involving but also approachable.

Whereas many a supercar is intimidating, the 720S Spider encourages you to go faster and find your limits. It displays wonderful poise and urgency, the chassis and powertrain working in harmony and all controlled through the throttle. The steering is also beautifully weighted, with real accuracy and feel. 

You can also marvel at the 720S Spider’s improved usability over the 650S Spider as a convertible. The roof opens and closes faster, in just 11sec, a 6sec improvement, and while the car is doing speeds of up to 31mph, instead of 18mph. Both front and rear visibility are better, too, the latter due to the lower rear deck and glazed buttresses. There’s also an optional glass roof that turns opaque to almost transparent at the touch of a button, flooding the interior with light in the process.

Should I buy one?

In practically every department, the 720S Spider has lost nothing over, and is the dynamic equal of, the coupé from which it's derived, and it has gained extra desirability in the process. McLaren is on the very top of its game at the moment.

McLaren 720S Spider specification

Where Scottsdale, US Price £237,000 On sale Now Engine V8, 3994cc, twin-turbo, petrol Power 710bhp at 7500rpm Torque 568lb ft at 5500-6500rpm Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch automatic Kerb weight 1468kg Top speed 212mph 0-60mph 2.8sec Fuel economy 23.2mpg CO2 276g/km Rivals Ferrari 488 Spider, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster

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Comments
8

jason_recliner

27 February 2019

Probably the best looking production car on sale today, IMO.

jer

27 February 2019

Would have thought they would by now. I know they don't sound bad but there is something missing.

Overdrive

27 February 2019
So the car is perfect? Absolutely no flaws whatsoever?

Or maybe not! That design and look of that dash would be tough to justify on a £50k car, never mind one costing £240k. The engine, going by other reviews that don't fawn over McLarens uncritically, does not have the feel and engagement of rivals. As for the looks, sure it's subjective, but the bug-eye insect front and the messy rear just don't do it for me.

McLaren have come up me a long way in a short period (ignoring the scary reliability stories) and deserve praise for that, but I'll take a Huracan over this every time.

Overdrive

27 February 2019
Bloody mobile phone keyboard, meant to say 'McLaren have come a long way...'.

Also, to be fair to the reviewer, he did note the 720S engine's shortcomings. Nevertheless, McLarens and five stars go together like hand and glove, as far as Autocar is concerned!

Cobnapint

27 February 2019
But don't like the steering wheel centre or the headlights. First world problems that need addressing...!

Lanehogger

27 February 2019

What still staggers me about the 720S is just how fast it is, either in a straight line or around a track. It's almost as quick as the much more powerful, lighter and tech-loaded aero and not much older P1, meaning that it's far quicker than many hypercars too. It shows the progress of the 720S while it shows McLaren now have a knack of making cars as quick as more powerful ones. The 600LT is the same. With this rate of progress and knowhow, God knows how quick the a LT version of the 720 will be. Or even how quick their next hypercar will be, the Speedtail!

John Fox

27 February 2019

The big issue with these cars as many yt commentatators have pointed out, is turbo lag. The motor is too small and too boosted to be responsive. Otherwise, I actually think the interior looks great, and I like their commitment to ride quality.

The Dr

27 February 2019

I agree with many other comments that McLaren have got the styling spot on, this and the AM DB11 are my favourite designed cars at the mo. 

You are the weakest link......

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