McLaren Artura Spider Claims Lightest Drop-Top Title

Sportscar and Formula One racing manufacturer McLaren unveils its new Artura Spider in London claiming to be the lightest drop-top supercar on the market.

Tipping the scales at a dry weight of 1,457 kg (3,205 lb.) the automaker claims this is a full 83 kg (182 lb.) less than its nearest rival. This has been achieved with the use of McLaren’s carbon fiber lightweight architecture (MCLA) and aluminum hot-formed body panels.

It employs a gas hybrid powertrain, directly developed from McLaren’s on-track experience, hosting a 120-degree 3.0-liter twin-electrically activated turbo-charged V6 gasoline engine with an axial flux electric motor backed by a 7.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The system claims a total system output of 690 hp together with 531 lb.-ft. of torque. Married to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with electric reverse ratio, this equates to a claimed 0-to-62 mph sprint time of 3 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph.

Brett Soso, regional director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, says: “The new Artura is the complete next-generation supercar, with more power, more dynamic performance and even higher levels of connection with the driver – without any compromise in everyday driving. The introduction of the convertible Spider adds a thrilling new dimension to the driving experience of this extraordinary car.”

The car is now available to order priced at $273,800 in the U.S. with three interior specifications prices each at $9,400.