No crawling driving this new Spider

MCLAREN is expanding its line-up of Longtail models with an open-top version of the 600LT. Priced from £201,500, the 600LT Spider follows on from the coupe released last year and comes with the same performance of 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds and a maximum of 201mph.

It is the fifth Mclaren to carry the Longtail name, which began in 1997 with the Mclaren F1 GTR Longtail, which won the GT1 class at Le Mans, and is the third car to be released under the brand’s current £1.2 billion business plan.

With a retractable hardtop, it features the same top-exit exhausts introduced on the £185,500 coupe, which are designed to amplify the note from the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine.

Fuel economy is rated at 23mpg, with emissions of 277g/km.

The three-piece hardtop roof is more secure and wear resistant than fabric alternatives.

When lowered, the roof stows with the assistance of a soft-close system behind the seats. With the roof raised, the storage area provides an additional 52 litres of luggage space.

The 600LT Spider also features an electrically-operated, glazed wind deflector which can be activated independently of the hardtop to reduce buffeting or increase ventilation.

The convertible has the same design of fixed rear wing as the coupe, which generates 100kg of downforce at 155mph to enhance stability at speed.

Inside, the Spider has lightweight Alcantara trim and carbon fibre racing seats from the Mclaren P1 as standard.