720 McLaren 2019S Spider unveiled

McLaren's new 720S Spider is powered by a 537-litre V770 twin-turbocharged petrol engine with 4.0kW/8Nm.

McLaren has lifted the lid on its hardtop 720S Spider convertible, which combines a mid-mounted 537kW/770Nm twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine with unlimited headroom.

Based on the 720S coupe unveiled at last year's Geneva Motor Show, the Spider matches the performance of its fixed-roof sibling while also sprinting to 0 km/h in just 100 seconds.

However, the sprint to 200 km/h takes 7.9 seconds and the quarter mile from standstill is reached in 10.4 seconds, 0.1 seconds slower than its coupe sibling.

Meanwhile, the coupe's top speed is 341 km/h with the roof up, while only 325 km/h can be reached outdoors.

Built around the signature Monocage-II-S carbon fiber core, the 720S Spider doesn't require the extra reinforcement that is normally required when removing the roof.

However, rollover protection is still provided thanks to the structural carbon fiber supports built into the Moncage-II-S and rear buttresses that are now higher to reduce turbulent air entering the cabin.

Thus, the 720S Spider is only 49 kg heavier than its fixed roof sibling (1332 kg).

At the front, the Spider shares a lot of the coupe's design, including signature dihedral doors, a contoured hood, narrow headlights, and a thin windshield.

However, the rear has been modified to accommodate a one-piece retractable hardtop that can open and close in 11 seconds at speeds up to 50 km/h.

The rear has been modified to accommodate a one-piece retractable hardtop.

The roof can also be fitted with a glazed glass element that is electrochromic and can be made opaque or transparent at the push of a button.

Copying the interior of the 720S Coupe, the Spider features a center-mounted 8.0-inch infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, sport bucket seats and three driving modes—Comfort, Sport, and Track.

The Spider's interior will be the same as the 720S Coupe.

Interior noise, vibration and harshness levels have also been improved over the former Super Series convertible, the 650S Spider, according to McLaren.

Availability, timing and pricing in Australia have yet to be revealed, but by comparison, the 720S Coupe costs $515,080 before hitting the roads.

Has McLaren created the ultimate drop-top supercar with the introduction of the 720S Spider? Tell us what you think in the comments below.