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Spider

Based on the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the new special limited series SF90 XX Stradale was unveiled alongside its SF90 XX Spider counterpart.

Over the decades, Ferrari has developed the XX Programme to offer a select group of expert client drivers extreme cars that are not homologated for the road, but that can be driven at the very limit on the track. So with experience from this, Ferrari decided to create a road-legal car.

The Design

The SF90 XX Stradale is the most extreme variant of the SF90 Stradale; its design standards are thus those of a track car, calibrated to assure road useability. However, the SF90 XX Stradale is more than just a special edition: it is the first XX model to leave the factory, bringing the track technology, aerodynamic efficiency, and power to the road.

Two nostrils on the hood act as an exhaust for air moving through the front radiators. While cooler air is channelled around the cockpit to the massive side apertures that serve to cool the V-8, hot air from these ducts is sent upward and over the roof of the car.

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Just a few months after its global debut, the Ferrari 296 GTS – the ‘topless’ version of the 296 GTB – is in Malaysia, with its Southeast Asian premiere held at the Sepang International Circuit recently. Apart from the allure of being a berlinetta spider, this is the first ever Ferrari spider with a rear-wheel drive-only PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) architecture in which the engine is integrated with a rear-mounted electric motor. The hybrid drivetrain is derived from Ferrari’s Formula 1 racing cars and another example of racing technology being transferred to road cars.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

Plug-in hybrid powertrain
The 296 GTS uses the new 663 ps 120° 2992 cc V6 coupled with an electric motor capable of delivering a further 167 ps, the same unit found in the 296 GTB. With the additional power generated by the electric motor, total system output from the powertrain is 830 ps/740 Nm, of which 165 ps comes from the electric motor. This allows it to achieve a new specific power output record for a production car of 221 ps/litre.

Hybrid powertrain technology used in Ferrari’s Formula 1 racing cars has been brought to the 296 road car.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

The powertrain assembly comprises the engine that powers the rear wheels via the 8-speed DCT and E-Diff, and the MGU-K located between the engine and the gearbox. A clutch is set between the engine and the electric motor to decouple them when in electric-only eDrive mode.

Sound-wise, the V6 engine rewrites the rulebook by harmoniously combining two characteristics that are normally diametrically opposed: the force of the turbos and the harmony of the high-frequency notes of a naturally-aspirated V12. Even at low revs, inside the cabin, the soundtrack features the pure V12 orders of harmonics; at higher revs, there is that typical high-frequency treble. This Ferrari’s soundtrack matches its performance, creating a sense of unprecedented involvement even with the top down.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

Power with efficiency
Being a PHEV gives the 296 GTS the best of both worlds – lighting quick performance and also zero emissions motoring which can be up to 25 kms in all-electric eDrive mode. As was the case with the SF90 Stradale, customers who want to take the car further, especially on the track, can specify the Assetto Fiorano package which includes lightweight features and aero modifications.

The innovative top

With the RHT (retractable hard top) in use, the silhouette remains very similar to that of the 296 GTB. When it is stowed away, a sleek, sporty design is created. The lightweight RHT takes 14 seconds to retract or deploy at speeds of up to 45 km/h.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

The need to stow the RHT inside the engine compartment required the creation of a new tonneau cover design. As a result, the folding roof splits into two sections that fold flush over the front of the engine, thus maintaining the engine bay’s thermal dissipation characteristics and the balance of the overall design. This also allowed the designers to introduce a window in the rear section of the engine cover through which the new V6 is clearly visible.

When the top is retracted, the cabin and the rear deck are separated by a height-adjustable glass rear screen which guarantees optimal passenger comfort even at high speeds. The separation line between the car’s body and the roof is above the B post.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

Redesigning the 296 GTS’s engine bay to seamlessly integrate the RHT means that the engine has the same rich tone and intensity as the 296 GTB when the roof is up. The exhaust resonator system (Hot-Tube) has been optimised for the new cockpit geometry. The dropping of the top creates a direct, completely unobstructed connection between the cockpit and the sound produced by the single tailpipe exhaust line.

Radical aerodynamic solutions
The 296 GTS adopts several radical and innovative solutions in aerodynamics. The aero choices have turned the active aero paradigm, introduced from the 458 Speciale onwards, on its head. On the 296 GTS, an active device is being used not to manage drag but to generate extra downforce. The LaFerrari-inspired active spoiler integrated into the rear bumper allows the 296 GTS to generate a high level of rear downforce when required – up to a maximum of 360 kgs at 250 km/h.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

The aero development work done on the 296 GTS means that even in low-drag configuration, the car can deliver more downforce than previous applications. In high-downforce configuration, there is an additional 100 kgs in downforce, thanks to the active spoiler.

The brake cooling system was developed around the Aero calipers that debuted on the SF90 Stradale, with ventilation ducts integrated into their castings. This cooling concept requires a dedicated duct to correctly channel cool air coming in through the air intakes on the front bumper through the wheelarch. In the case of the 296 GTS, the intake has been integrated into the headlight design.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

This made it possible to push the design of the car’s underbody to new extremes, increasing the cooling capacity of the underbody without having to adopt any active front aero mechanisms. The signature aerodynamic element at the front of the 296 GTS is the ‘tea-tray’, a concept widely applied to single-seater racing cars. The rear surface of the bumper works in synergy with the upper surface of the tea tray to create a high overpressure field, which counteracts the depression field that characterises the underbody.

High levels of driver engagement
The car’s dynamic development focused around boosting pure performance and delivering class-leading levels of driver engagement. The targets were achieved by honing the architecture and keeping all the main vehicle components as compact as possible, as well as managing energy flows and their integration with the car’s vehicle dynamic controls.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

The 296 GTB’s chassis was redesigned and optimised to improve torsional rigidity and bending stiffness compared to previous spider applications. From a chassis perspective, at 2600mm, the wheelbase is 50 mm shorter than previous Ferrari mid-rear-engined berlinettas to the benefit of the car’s dynamic agility. Other solutions that enhance the car’s handling and performance include the brake-by-wire system, the ‘Aero’ brake callipers, electric power steering, the rear active aero device and SCM-Frs magnetorheological dampers.

Meticulous attention was paid to reducing weight to ensure the car’s balance and delicacy of handling. The added weight of the hybrid system was offset by a number of different solutions, including the new V6 which weighs 30 kgs less than the V8 unit used on previous berlinettas.

Digital interface for cockpit
The 296 GTS’s cockpit was developed around the new concept of an entirely digital interface. This interior layout draws on the latter’s stylistic coherence for its forms. While with the SF90 Stradale the designers wanted to highlight the presence of the advanced technology and underscore a clear break with the past, in the case of the 296 GTS, the idea was to clothe that technology to sophisticated effect.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

The cabin has the concept of the formal purity of the functional elements. When the engine is off, the onboard instruments go black, underscoring the minimalist look of the cabin. Exclusive Italian leather trim to the seats and trim is further enhanced by the noble technical materials used on the functional components. Aerodynamic flaps have been integrated into the rear trim structure to reduce buffeting and increase comfort in open-top driving.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

The sculptural door panel is a seamless continuation of the dashboard in terms of both materials and colour. On the central medallion, the styling cue is a deep lozenge-shaped scoop, a three-dimensional element. This type of architecture makes the entire door panel look extremely light and integrates the theme that connects it to the rear trim.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

“The convertible version of Ferrari’s first 6-cylinder road-going car takes driving thrills to new heights. Subtly restyled to accommodate the open top, the Ferrari 296 GTS adds a sense of freedom to the fun of every journey. At the wheel of the 296 GTS, you get to enjoy the result of Ferrari’s exploration into electric technology and also have the ability to make the most of the weather and your mood, maximising driving pleasure,” said Damien Woo, General Manager, Ferrari Malaysia, Naza Italia Sdn Bhd.

With Ferrari’s 7-Year Genuine Maintenance programme, the 296 GTS is priced from RM1,448,000 (before duties, customization options, taxes and insurance) from Ferrari Malaysia.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS

Naza Italia introduces Ferrari 296 GTB PHEV, priced from RM1,228,000

Perhaps our climate is not the best for open-top motoring but in other places in the world, conditions are perfect for driving around with the top down and there’s enough demand for convertibles that manufacturers still offer them. The Ferrari 296 GTS is the latest convertible to join the list, offering those who want a topless version of Ferrari’s mid-rear-engined PHEV a factory-built model.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS PHEV

Ferrari 296 GTB

As explained before with the report on the 296 GTB, the engine is a new V6 unit and the first 6-cylinder engine installed on a road-going spider from Ferrari. While it’s not Ferrari’s first V6 (the first one was in the 1957 Dino 156 F2), it does usher in a new V6 era for the company. Total system output from the 2992 cc turbocharged engine is 830 ps/740 Nm, of which 165 ps comes from the electric motor.

This is the first ever Ferrari spider with a rear-wheel drive-only PHEV architecture in which the engine is integrated with a rear-mounted electric motor. This is derived from Ferrari Formula 1 racing cars and communication between the motor and engine is via the Transition Manager Actuator which allows them to run together efficiently and optimally.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTB hybrid

Although the 296 GTS is about 70 kgs more than the 296 GTB, the performance claims are pretty much the same – 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 330 km/h, while the range from the 7.45 kwh battery is said to be good for 25 kms running on electricity alone.

As with the SF90 Stradale, customers who require more extreme power and performance, especially if they are going to be on the track, can take the Assetto Fiorano package which includes lightweight features and aero modifications.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS PHEV

From a chassis perspective, at 2600 mm, the wheelbase is 50 mm shorter than previous Ferrari mid-rear-engined berlinettas to the benefit of the car’s dynamic agility. The 296 GTB’s chassis was redesigned and optimised for the 296 GTS to improve torsional rigidity and bending stiffness compared to previous spider applications. This was achieved to the tune of 50% in the case of the former and 8% in the case of the latter.

The styling of the 296 GTS has kept the clean and sophisticated lines of the 296 GTB. There was, of course, a clear focus on minimising the impact of any modifications on the exterior bodywork, always a challenge for a convertible variant. With the RHT stowed, the sleek silhouette remains very similar to that of the 296 GTB.

The need to stow the RHT (Retractable Hard Top) inside the engine compartment required the creation of a new tonneau cover design. While on the 296 GTB, the engine bay is completely horizontal and dominated by two flying buttresses in a nod to the 250 Le Mans, the 296 GTS’s tail is absolutely unique.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS PHEV
296 GTS with Assetto Fiorano package.

As is the case with the 296 GTB, a dominant feature of the car’s architecture is the signature ‘aero bridge’. The overall effect is of an extremely compact cabin effortlessly integrated with the wings and flanks. The buttress theme is further enhanced by contrasting sculpted extensions that frame the engine cover screen and integrate the novel fuel filler and battery charge covers, avoiding architectural disharmony.

The lightweight RHT takes 14 seconds to retract or deploy at speeds of up to 45km/h. The separation line between the car’s body and the roof is above the B post. As a result, the folding roof splits into two sections that fold flush over the front of the engine, thus maintaining the engine bay’s thermal dissipation characteristics and the balance of the overall design. This also allowed the designers to introduce a window in the rear section of the engine cover through which the new V6 is clearly visible.

The 296 GTS has several radical and innovative solutions with regard to aerodynamics which have turned the active aero paradigm, introduced from the 458 Speciale onwards, on its head. The car has an active device used not to manage drag but to generate extra downforce. The LaFerrari-inspired active spoiler integrated into the rear bumper allows the 296 GTS to generate a high level of rear downforce when required (up to 360 kgs at 250 km/h with the Assetto Fiorano package).

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS PHEV

The aero development work done on the 296 GTS means that even in low-drag configuration the car can deliver more downforce than previous applications. In high-downforce configuration, there is an additional 100 kgs in downforce, thanks to the active spoiler.

The rear diffuser has a very clean, linear design with a central channel that makes it possible to modify the direction in which the airflow sucked along the underbody is released into the car’s wake. This contains the vertical expansion of the car’s wake and thus drag.

Turbulence in the cockpit area is something which convertibles cannot escape but thanks to modern solutions, this can be effectively reduced to make things comfortable for the occupants. For the 296 GTS, the geometry of the trim behind the headrests is optimised to channel as much of the air as possible towards the tonneau cover to reduce the amount of flow recirculating inside the cabin. Aerodynamic flaps have been integrated into the rear trim structure to reduce buffeting and increase comfort in open-top driving.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS PHEV

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS PHEV

As with the 296 GTB, the 296 GTS’s cockpit was developed around the new concept of an entirely digital interface. From a formal perspective, when the engine is off, the onboard instruments go black for a minimalist look. Exclusive Italian leather trim to the seats and trim is further enhanced by the noble technical materials used on the functional components.

Ferrari has not announced how much the 296 GTS will cost, but it would certainly cost more than the 296 GTB which, in Malaysia, is priced from RM1.228 million.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTS PHEV

Naza Italia introduces Ferrari 296 GTB PHEV, priced from RM1,228,000

Open-topped cars may not command big volumes but they are still very much in demand, at least in the upper levels of the market. So it is worthwhile engineering a convertible variant (and it’s not just a matter of leaving out the roof) as there will usually be more than enough buyers. That is likely to be the case with the new 765LT Spider, a complementary model to the 765LT ‘Longtail’ coupe that McLaren unveiled last year.

This new Spider is McLaren’s most powerful-ever convertible model and with only 765 cars to be available, it will be an exclusive McLaren with each unit having a pricetag starting from £310,500 in the UK (about RM1.823 million before Malaysian tax). MSO Clubsport Pack and MSO LT Black Pack options are available, plus other individual MSO options.

Carrying over the coupe’s dynamic and aerodynamic DNA with no structural compromise and only a minimal 49 kgs weight increase – primarily from the retractable hardtop and accompanying operating mechanism – the 765LT Spider weighs just 1,388 kgs,, which is 80 kgs lighter than a 720S Spider and around 100 kgs lighter than its closest comparable competitor.

High-performance lightweight materials feature throughout, with advanced carbonfibre technologies used for body components. Specific weight-saving components include titanium exhaust system (saving 40% over steel equivalent), Formula 1-grade transmission materials and thinner glass.

2021 McLaren 765LT Spider

Up to 22 kgs has been saved in the development of the LT’s bespoke Ultra-Lightweight forged alloy wheels. These are fitted with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres specially developed for the 765LT. Titanium wheel bolts are also standard fit.

In addition to all this, a significant proportion of the 80-kg weight-saving over the 720S is achieved inside the cockpit. The carbonfibre-shelled racing seats fitted as standard are together 18 kgs lighter than the 720S sports seats.

2021 McLaren 765LT Spider

The cockpit’s central tunnel is made of carbonfibre just 0.8 mm thick; the door pockets are replaced by nets; and carbonfibre has been used for such micro-details as the window switch surrounds, steering wheel clasp and Active Dynamics Panel surround. Further weight is saved by deleting the floor carpet (saving 2.4 kgs), air-conditioning system (1 0kgs) and audio system (1.5 kgs) – although the latter two can requested by customers at no extra charge.

The Spider version of the carbonfibre MonoCage II – designated MonoCage II-S – was developed alongside the coupe monocoque and shares most of its structural elements, including the windscreen surround. Such is the strength and stiffness of the structure that no additional bracing is required over the coupe – another weight-optimising factor. At the rear of the car, carbonfibre structural supports are fully bonded into the chassis to provide roll-over protection.

2021 McLaren 765LT Spider

The electrically operated, one-piece carbonfibre Retractable Hard Top (RHT) goes from closed to open within 11 seconds (among the world’s quickest) and can operate at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The convertible roof design plays an integral role in the structure, featuring a carbonfibre frame within the RHT panel and creating a full carbonfibre shell when closed.

The roof mechanism, powered by 8 motors, is also among the world’s quietest. Occupants will experience a sound no louder than 50 dBA during operation, with a peak of 60 dBA during the latching process – twice as quiet as the roof of the 675LT Spider, the first convertible LT supercar.

The rear window, which can be lowered even when the roof is up to intensify the quadrophonic exhaust note, has its own motor, as does the RHT latching mechanism. All these motors are optimised to work in parallel, allowing the roof to begin to move before the tonneau has completely opened, which saves time

2021 McLaren 765LT Spider

There are also additional comfort benefits for occupants: because it is a single-piece panel with no central seal, headroom is improved, while the extended length of the roof panel allows the tops of the A-pillars to be further forward, enhancing the sense of space and easing ingress and egress.

Like every LT, the new Spider is designed to excel on track; the ability to remove the roof makes it an even more immersive and compelling car to drive on the road. There is the same highly evolved aerodynamic package as the coupe but the active rear wing calibration is revised to reflect whether the roof is up or down. A recalibration of the dampers has also been necessary to account for the minor increase in weight. As a result, the Spider matches the coupe’s aero performance in every respect, with class-leading downforce 25% greater than that of a 720S Spider.

765 ps from the 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine makes this the brand’s most powerful convertible, and it has a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 598 ps-per-tonne at lightest dry weight – with 800 Nm of torque. The transmission gear ratios have been revised and makes in-gear acceleration 15% quicker than a 720S Spider.

2021 McLaren 765LT Spider

720S with Gulf racing colours recreated by McLaren Special Operations

Abarth is an old name in the European car industry, with a history going back to 1949. It was an independent company back in the days when even small companies could do okay even with small volumes. But by the 1970s, as competition increased, it was a challenge if you didn’t have sufficient size and so Abarth was taken in by the Fiat group where it has remained to this day (continuing its existence in the Stellantis Group).

Historically, Abarth has been a performance brand (and this was long before such a term came into use). After all, founder Carlo Abarth was sporting director of the Cisitalia factory racing team which ceased operations and led to him founding the company. Later, when acquired by Fiat, Abarth was responsible for motorsport activities to make use of its long experience.

Strong presence in motorsports
The 1960s were probably the period the brand was well known in motorsports, having a presence in sportscar racing and hillclimbs and challenginf Porsche and Ferrari. One of the sportscars from this period of its history was the Abarth 1000 SP. This was an ambitious and revolutionary project where the ‘SP’ indicated Sports Prototype, a covered-wheel car made exclusively to compete in racing competitions, with few models actually built.

Built in 1966, the car was a light and powerful spider featuring simple, low and streamlined shapes. The technical and stylistic excellence of this car soon led to an outstanding series of victories – both for teams and private customers – which further contributed to reinforcing the Abarth brand’s sporting prestige.

Although few cars were built, the story of the Abarth 1000 SP did not end in the 1960s. In 2009,  Abarth and Alfa Romeo (also in the Fiat empire) renewed their bond and looked at how to expand the range of the Abarth brand. Various alternatives were considered, including that of a reinterpretation of the 1000 SP involving the creation of a medium-sized sportscar with an attractive silhouette and essential lines

2013 Alfa Romeo 4c

The Alfa Romeo 4C
This concept – a light car with an excellent weight/power ratio – became the basis of two distinct projects, which were developed in parallel. The first was that of the new Abarth 1000 SP, while the second focussed on another car which would soon continue the tradition of Alfa Romeo sportscars: the 4C. The Alfa Romeo 4C went into production but the 1000 SP project remained at the draft stage.

In 2021, the modern 1000 SP has finally been built, albeit as just one unit. The new Abarth 1000 SP project was shaped fully in line with its forerunner – the points and lines of the original car’s design have been respected, to ensure continuity between the sportscar of the 1960s and the concept car of the new millennium. In between lay the creative process and the rediscovery of an ambitious idea.

A ‘remastering’ operation
The spark for the revival of the old project came from the same mathematics as the prototype imagined in 2009, subjected to a ‘remastering’ operation to advance and perfect the car’s ultimate design. Furthermore, it would also be an evolution of the Alfa Romeo 4C, benefitting from another decade of technological advancements,

The 2021 1000 SP is an organically balanced car, in which three key design principles that were embedded in the original model of the 1960s have been respected – its lightness; the aerodynamics; and ergonomics. And being a sportscar, this concept is embodied in the optimisation of vehicle control, and how one ‘feels at ease’ on board, in terms of spacial and dimensional perception, and of driveability.

Echoes of ancestor
All three elements have played a fundamental role in the design of this one-off car. The lines and aesthetic elements that shaped its ancestor echo strongly in the new 1000 SP which also echoes the layout of the central-engined spider. The cockpit windscreen, which protects even the tallest drivers from strong airflow, boasts the famous sculpted side deflectors, with a low profile sweeping up towards the roll-bar. The roll-bar is deliberately exposed, further underlining that fact that that this is a genuine spider.

The rear geometries emphasise the perfect harmony between the back headlights and exhausts, and also the open slots for engine cooling which were present on its ancestor. The paintwork is categorically red and the characteristic air intakes appear all over the car body. The lights too respect the minimalist scheme of the historic 1000 SP, with point-like headlamps on the nose and a single pair of round headlights at the back, to emphasise the car’s width.

Under the “skin”, the tubular frame of the historic Sport Prototype is replaced by a hybrid frame with the central cell in carbonfibre and the front in aluminium. This helps keep the car’s dry weight to just 1,074 kgs.

Like the Alfa Romeo 4C. the 1000 SP also has a powerful 1.8-litre supercharged 4-cylinder aluminium central engine. This is tuned to deliver up to 240 bhp, giving a top speed capability of over 250 km/h.

Abarth 695 70th Anniversario special edition comes with a variable spoiler

BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

Skoda, the Czech car company which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has been around since 1895 and over the many decades, it has ensured that the spark of creativity is maintained as different generations of employees come and go. One of the ways it has achieved this is through the Skoda Vocational School which was established in 1927 because of the need for qualified workers.

Each year for the past seven years, the students have been invited to come up with a concept car and for this year, the seventh Skoda Student Concept Car is one which links the past with the present. Designed by 31 students attending the vocational school, the open-top Slavia also concept pays homage to this year’s anniversary of the company by commemorating the name of the first bicycles produced by Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement after they founded the company in 1895.

Skoda Slavia

The spider variant of the Scala production model combines the contemporary compact car’s bold and exciting lines with a common design standard from the earliest days of motoring, when most automobiles were open-top vehicles.

Skoda Scala
The Scala, from which the Slavia concept has been adapted.

1957 Skoda 1100 OHC
The students also took inspiration from the 1957 Skoda 1100 OHC, a sports prototype developed as an open-top two-seater racing car for endurance rallies.

From the first draft to putting together this one-off car, the students completed every step themselves. Of course, there was also guidance and support from their instructors as well as experts from Skoda’s Design, Production and Technical Development departments.

“The Student Car is the Skoda Vocational school’s annual flagship project. For the seventh year running, our students are demonstrating the high standard of our in-house training by planning, designing and building an impressive one-off car. We enable them to design their dream car, working with professionals from our various departments. As a result, their training already familiarises them with processes that will become part of their working lives later on, when they graduate from our vocational school and embark on a career in our company,” explained Alois Kauer, who took over as Head of the Skoda Academy in February 2020.

Skoda Slavia
The students designed the Slavia and then built it themselves as a project car.

The 31 students involved in the seventh Skoda Student Car marks the first time the project participants have chosen the Scala as the basis for their personal idea of a dream car, turning the compact hatchback model into a particularly sporty spider. The Slavia, as in the production version of the Scala, has a similarly distinctive design, defined by precise lines and sculpted surfaces.

The matching dynamic performance of the topless car comes courtesy of the familiar 1.5 TSI petrol engine with an output of 150 ps, which goes to the front wheels through a 7-speed DCT. Other carry-overs from the production model include the front and rear axle, steering, the complete electronics including cabling as well as the assistance systems. The instrument panel, Virtual Cockpit and infotainment system are also retained in their original form.

Skoda Slavia

Whether the Slavia will serve as the basis of a future production model remains to be seen. But it is well known that the work of the students has always impressed the designers at Skoda and who knows, perhaps they will draw inspiration from it.

Latest sketches of Skoda VISION IN concept reveal the design of new compact SUV for India

PISTON.MY

McLaren has unveiled the open top version of its venerable 570S, called the 570S Spider. According to the automaker, it offers the same high-performance dynamic attributes and refinement as the 570S Coupe but with an open-top experience.

The Spider will join the Coupe and GT variants of the 570S line-up in McLaren’s Sports Series product family after its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car will feature a retractable hardtop that incorporates the same technology used by the roofs of the 650S and 675LT Spiders. The car weighs 46kg more than the Coupe version, which is undoubtedly due to the extra structural reinforcement needed to compensate for the lack of a B and C pillar.

The roof takes just 15 seconds to open and close and will be able to do so at speeds of up to 40km/h. There’s also an electrically operated glazed rear window/wind deflector to ensure that occupants aren’t troubled by outside air flowing into the cabin. But, its extended rear spoiler is 12mm higher than that of the Coupe to compensate fro the change in body shape.

Like its Coupe brethren, the 570S Spider’s body is constructed from carbon fibre, has a mid-engine drivetrain layout and the typical McLaren dihedral doors.

Powering the car is the same 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 found in the Coupe and is mated to a seven-speed DCT gearbox. The engine produces nearly 570bhp and 600Nm of torque, which allows the 570S Spider to sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 328 km/h with the roof up (identical speed to Coupe) and 315km/h with the roof down.

The first 400 Spiders will be built as launch edition models, mimicking the same strategy used for the 720S when it was initially launched. The car is available to order now and is priced at £164,750 (RM893,769) and will also come in three new exterior colours which are Curacao Blue, Vega Blue and Sicilian Yellow. In total, there will be 20 different body colours to choose from, which McLaren say will complement the car’s complex bodywork very well.

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