MP4-12C Spider Goes Topless

By Marcus Slater - July 3, 2012

Where they’re going, they don’t need roofs. The gorgeous, fast, and expensive MP4-12C Spider is officially out according to McLaren, complete with a hard-top retractable roof. It’ll only take 17 seconds to bring it down or put it back up. That’s not exactly fast, but we think the end result is worth it. It’s hard to believe, but might actually look better with the rood down.

McLaren builds road going race cars. That’s what they do. The McLaren F1 was probably the ultimate expression of that goal, but the MP4-12C still carries that track bred heritage. The convertible is no different. It is light weight and rigid thanks to a carbon fiber monocoque built using Formula 1 technology. Unlike most covertibles, the MP4-12c doesn’t get any additional bracing to the chassis because it’s strong enough to not need it. The only weight it gains is the 88bs from the retractable roof. And whatever is sitting in the driverseat, of course.

The power comes from a hand built twin-turbo V8 that spits out 616hp. There’s no manual option, just a seven speed dual clutch unit. Though, considering the F1 heritage of this car, I’m not sure that a manual shifter would be entirely appropriate.

If you’ve got $265,750 burning a hole in your pocket, the McLaren might just be your car. With the roof up, or off.