McLaren’s new 600LT Spider has made its first public appearance at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
What separates this car from the rest of the McLaren range is that it actually weighs less than more powerful models like the 720S or even the Senna, while presenting the driver with a more track-focused experience than your regular 570S or 570GT.
Then there’s the fact that it’s a convertible, which for some buyers, makes it a more exciting car to own than its 600LT fixed-roof sibling.
The numbers are just bonkers
In today’s horsepower-crazy world, having 600 PS (592 HP) and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque at your disposal might not even sound all that imposing to some people, seen as how the industry actually makes SUVs that carry around more muscle than that. The 600LT Spider however happens to weigh just 1,297 kg (2,859 lbs), which according to McLaren makes it at least 80 kg (176 lbs) lighter than any of its direct competitors.
So on paper, it has a power-to-weight ratio of 463 PS (457 HP) per tonne, which helps it rocket to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a hypercar-like 2.8 seconds, needing an extra 0.1 seconds to breach 100 km/h (62 mph). Its top speed? That would be 324 km/h (201 mph) with the roof up, and 315 km/h (196 mph) when lowered.
Other impressive stats include how the fixed rear wing generates an impressive 100 kg (220 lbs) of downforce at 250 km/h (155 mph), but also how it can get from zero to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.4 seconds, the same as a Pagani Huayra.
Sporty is an understatement
The interior of the 600LT Spider is very race-y, as you get the same Carbon Fiber Racing Seats from the McLaren P1 as standard, plus lightweight Alcantara trim as far as the eye can see. Customers can also opt for the Super-Lightweight Carbon Fiber Racing Seats from the McLaren Senna, which can be purchased either as a standalone option or together with the MSO Clubsport package.
Further weight-saving can be achieved by ditching the audio and climate control systems, although one is definitely easier to live with than the other.