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The New 12C Spider

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Our 134^TH
convertible

Our philosophy of innovating to win applies as readily to our road cars as it does to our racing cars. Every component is a bespoke design, engineered specifically for the 12C Spider. We’ve used McLaren engineering expertise and innovation to design the 12C Spider, redefining what you’d expect from a convertible.

Exhilaration engineered

Feel the rush of reaching 60mph in 3.1 seconds, racing up to 329kph, and hearing the roar of a V8 engine as your soundtrack. Driving open-air in the 12C Spider reconnects you to the world around you. Experience the open road and the thrill of driving it.

Built around you

To create the ultimate driving experience, there's only one place to start: you. Everything about the 12C Spider's cockpit and driving position is designed to optimise what you see, hear and experience.

• Obsessed by detail
• The beauty of simplicity

No roof. No stopping.

Why stop? We've made sure the 12C Spider is capable of retracting its roof in less than 17 seconds at speeds of up to 30kph to make sure nothing interrupts your drive.
See it in action

Top down experience.
Track car performance.

The 12C Spider features the same 3.8 litre V8 engine found in the 12C. It delivers drivers 625PS and 600NM of power and torque, with efficient twin turbo technology accessing over 80% of power below 2000 rpm. With acceleration and pace rivaling the 12C, the 12C Spider is the no compromise convertible.

• Maximum torsional rigidity
• Minimal drag co-efficient
• 12C Spider and MY13 12C compared

Weight. Our mortal enemy.

A car's weight saps performance. Our engineers have created weight-saving solutions to maximise power output and make the 12C Spider only 40kg heavier than its hard top equivalent. Its automatic roof is built from lightweight materials, making it the lightest of any retractable hard top mechanism of any convertible on the road.

• The MonoCell
• Dual design

Inside the 12C

12C Spider is built from technology inherited from McLaren's Formula 1^TM team that's since been banned on the track. Good thing the same rules don't apply to the road.

• Brake Steer
• Active Aerodynamics
• Proactive chassis control
• 12C Spider Technical specifications

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• Obsessed by detail

  Small details make the difference when you set out to create the perfect driving experience, and McLaren has held a lifelong obsession to seek out the details that move our cars closer to perfection. Like bringing the driver and passenger seating inboard to avoid the need to offset foot pedals and provide a more central driving position. Or keeping the cowl as low as possible to ensure the driver has a clear view of the front of the car.

• The beauty of simplicity

  Every inch of the 12C Spider is bespoke and crafted to precision. The steering wheel has been modeled from digital scans of a World Championship winning drivers steering wheel for optimal ergonomics. The Formula 1^TM style rocker shift is designed to deliver you an unparalleled sense of control, and 12C Spider's controls are distributed rationally according to how often you use them. This principle of simplicity has been applied to the whole interior to produce a consistent luxury feel that enhances the driving experience with every touch.
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• Maximum torsional rigidity

  The carbon fibre construction of the MonoCell provides much higher levels strength and rigidity than aluminium. Even without additonal reinforcment the 12C Spider handles every bit as well as the 12C. Even with the roof down, there's no compromise on performance.

• Minimal drag co-efficient

  From decades of experience in racing, we understand the edge aerodynamics can give you. That's why Formula 1^TM inspired technology is built in to the Spider. Side-mounted radiators, a Formula 1^TM style diffuser and a flat under tray all combine to deliver maximum efficiency. The retractable hard top and tonneau cover have been designed to seamlessly integrate with the 12C's body work, so that 12C Spider experiences a minimal increase in drag.

12C Spider and MY13 12C compared:

	2012 12C Spider* (625 PS/616 bhp)	2013 MY13 12C* (625 PS/616 bhp)
0-62 mph (0-100 kph)	3.1 sec	3.1 sec
0-100 mph (0-161kph)	6.1	6.0
0-124 mph (0-200 kph)	9.0 sec	8.8 sec
¼ mile (400m)	10.8 sec @ 134 mph (216 kph)	10.6 sec @ 136 mph (219 kph)
V Max	204 mph (329 kph)	207 mph (333 kph)
Fuel efficiency EU MPG (litres/100km)	24.2 (11.7)	24.2 (11.7)
CO2 g/km	279	279

12C Spider and MY13 12C compared (PDF)* With optional Corsa tyres
All figures apply to a European specification MP4-12C

• The MonoCell

  Built on the same groundbreaking carbon MonoCell chassis found at the centre of the 12C - the torsional rigidity of a carbon fibre construction brings a new dimension of performance to the 12C Spider. The structural integrity of the vehicle is built into the MonoCell. This ensures the 12C Spider remains lightweight at only 75KG, preserving the performance and dynamic handling of a coupe whilst delivering the open top exhilaration of a convertible.

• Dual design

  The 12C Spider's weight is packaged to deliver the same perfect poise and dynamic performance as the 12C. Through intelligent design the weight distribution of the 12C Spider has only 0.5% difference to the 12C to deliver a convertible experience that doesn't compromise on performance.

• Brake Steer

  Brake Steer cancels out understeer by applying precise braking force to the inside rear wheel. This pivots the car and enhances cornering performance. It was an innovation that was so effective in Formula 1^TM, it was banned for giving McLaren too great an advantage over the opposition. But it's an edge you can take on to the road.
  

  • With Brake Steer and Airbrake

    These innovations allow later braking and earlier application of power, delivering faster cornering on the race line

  • Without Brake Steer and Airbrake

    To maintain control, braking must be applied earlier and power applied later, as the driver waits for the car to turn

• Active Aerodynamics

  The 12C Spiders Airbrake generates up to 80 kg of drag when deployed, and ensures 50:50 weight distribution under heavy braking. This is the same amount of drag that is produced by the DRS wing on a Formula 1^TM car.

• Proactive chassis control

  The 12C Spider has been designed with a hydraulically interconnected suspension system, to give drivers an uncompromised ride and handling on the road and on the track. Proactive Chassis Control and Adaptive Damping allows the 12C Spider to absorb impacts whilst maintaining roll stiffness, adjusting hundreds of times a second to ensure you get the best drive for the road you are on.
  

  • Roll condition
  • Heave, Pitch & Squat
  • Warp Condition

12C Spider Technical specifications

Drivetrain layout	Longitudinal mid-engine, RWD
Engine configuration	V8 twin turbo
Engine material	Aluminium block and cylinder heads
Oiling	Dry sump
Compression ratio	8.7:1
Valvetrain	32-valve, DOHC, dual VVT
Redline (rpm)	8,500
Bore x Stroke (mm)	93 x 69.9
Engine displacement (cc)	3799
PS / rpm	625 / 7500
Torque Nm / rpm	600 / 3000-7000
PS per litre	164
Transmission	7 Speed SSG
Body structure	Carbon fibre MonoCell with aluminum front and rear frames
Wheelbase (mm)	2670
Track, F/R (mm)	1656 / 1583
Length (mm)	4509
Width (mm) @ widest point	2093
Height (mm)	1203
DIN weight (kg / lbs)	1474 / 3249
Dry weight (kg / lbs)	1376 / 3033
Dry weight with lightweight options (kg / lbs)	1341 / 2956
Weight distribution at DIN F / R %	42 / 58
Active aerodynamics	McLaren Airbrake
Suspension	ProActive Chassis Control
ProActive Chassis Control modes	Winter / Normal / Sport / Track
Powertrain modes	Winter / Normal / Sport / Track
Brakes	Cast iron discs with forged aluminum hubs (F370mm / R 350 mm)
Wheel sizes (F / R)	19” x 8.5”J / 20” x 11” J
Tyres (F / R)	Pirelli PZero 235/35 R19 / 305/30 R20

12C Spider Technical specifications (PDF)