McLaren has revealed the new Artura Spider, its first-ever convertible with a high-performance hybrid powertrain.

Joining the Artura coupe, the Spider has significant upgrades to power, performance and driver engagement, which combine with the sensory pleasures of open-top driving to add a remarkable new dimension.

The mid-mounted 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 now makes an extra 15kW, bringing the combustion engine’s output to 445kW and 720 Nm of torque. When combined with the hybrid system, overall power comes to 515kW.

Michael Leiters, CEO, McLaren Automotive said “the new Artura is absolutely the complete next-generation supercar, whichever model you choose”. 

“We have upgraded the powertrain and the chassis systems to deliver more power, more dynamic performance and even higher levels of connection with the driver – without any compromise in everyday driving. And now alongside the new Artura Coupe we have the Artura Spider, a new convertible that has all of these improvements and brings another dimension of open-air McLaren supercar exhilaration to our range.”

The new Artura Spider has a dry lightest weight of just 1,457kg, with kerbweight (DIN) of only 1,560kg - just 62kg more than the Artura coupe. These figures position the new Spider as easily the lightest among convertible competition, enjoying an advantage of up to 83kg. 

The McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) at the heart of the Artura provides a secure platform with no loss of rigidity when the fixed roof is removed – the majority of the 62kg difference between Spider and coupe is accounted for by the electrically-operated Retractable Hard Top (RHT) mechanism.

The Artura Spider’s retractable one-piece hard-top operates electrically in just 11 seconds, at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

Reflecting the brand’s New Zealand connection, Paul Harris, Managing Director – APACHI, McLaren Automotive, said “With its roof open, whether it is cruising the rolling hills of Surrey, to the dramatic alpine roads of New Zealand’s Lindis Pass or navigating the magnificent twists of the French Riviera, Artura Spider becomes an enriching experience as the stimulus of being connected directly to the open-air surrounds heightens engagement for both driver and passenger. 

“Equally, the stealth-like silence of Artura Spider’s E-mode is the perfect companion for enjoying urban precincts. On the track, Artura Spider delivers the exhilaration of pure supercar performance without compromise.”

The cabin of the new Artura Spider – trimmed in performance or luxury materials according to the driver’s preference – retains the purposeful, driver-focused design of the coupe.

 The ‘clean’ steering wheel is free of buttons and controls, aside from the sculpted gearshift paddles which move with the wheel for optimal driver ergonomics. 

The driver display binnacle, which moves with the column when adjusted for reach or rake to ensure all driving information is always within the driver’s eye line, also houses the controls to select Handling and Powertrain modes, allowing changes – including an easy switch between electric and hybrid drive – without taking hands off the steering wheel. 

The screen display of the binnacle focuses on key information to minimise driver distraction and further has a stealth mode that hides non-essential content, reducing distractions and promoting full concentration on the road ahead.