Meet McLaren’s newest drop-top supercar – the Artura Spider

McLaren’s first electric hybrid supercar has just gotten sexier. The newly unwrapped Artura Spider is the open-top version of the British carmaker’s first hybrid vehicle that debuted in 2022, flaunting the same visual identity and sculpted bodywork as the Artura coupe – but with a hard-top that electronically retracts and tucks itself away in 11 seconds.

CNA Luxury had an exclusive virtual preview ahead of its launch last month, and here’s what you can expect when the 2025 model gets delivered from mid-year onwards.

Those dihedral doors, a McLaren signature, are back on this second Artura model, and you might easily imagine how much more thrilling electrified driving is with the wind in your hair in this convertible.

McLaren says the Artura Spider showcases significant upgrades to power, performance and driver engagement, and these improvements will also be found on the forthcoming 2025 edition of the Artura coupe, which we had the pleasure of driving at the Sepang International Circuit when it was first launched in 2022.

“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,” said Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive.

“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,” he added.

The powertrain for both 2025 Artura models has been recalibrated and will soon spit out an additional 20 horsepower from its 3.0-litre V6 engine, bringing the increased power output up to an impressive 690 horsepower, focused from 4,000rpm to the redline at 8,500rpm – a marked ‘crescendo’ in performance, says McLaren.

Peak torque, meanwhile, remains at a 720Nm, with the addition of an E-motor delivering transient torque of up to 225Nm for instant throttle response. So as with the coupe, the Artura Spider will be able to whip around the track from 0-100km/h in 3 seconds flat, they say.

The electric-only range on both Artura models has also been increased to 33km.

There are three dynamic handling modes, each activating increased levels of body control through damper adjustment: ‘Comfort’ is the default mode, accompanied by Sport and Track modes plus the electric-only E-mode for emissions-free travel in stealth-like silence.

Now the Artura Spider is not only the most fuel-efficient McLaren convertible ever, it’s also the lightest convertible supercar in its class. It has a kerbweight of 1,560kg, just 62kg more than the coupe, mostly attributed to the addition of the retractable hard-top mechanism.

McLaren engineers have also revised and tuned the exhaust system for a more refined exhaust note expressly in the middle and higher points of the rev range, while owners also have the option to add a sports exhaust system that channels the sound waves from the tailpipe to the cabin through an exhaust symposer, bringing that delicious growl right to the driver’s ear even with the roof down.

Indeed, extra attention to acoustics is always needed when designing a drop-top, particularly when open to the elements, and to enhance the sensory pleasures of open-top driving, the Artura Spider features an additional rear centre speaker to boost acoustics from the standard five-speaker McLaren Audio System or from the optional, higher grade Bowers & Wilkins 12-speaker surround sound audio system.

Now to just get behind the wheel and hear the luscious soundtrack for ourselves.

MCLAREN ARTURA SPIDER TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE: 2,993cc twin-turbocharged V6 engine with hybrid drivetrain with axial flux electric motor

POWER: 690hp: 596hp @ 7,500rpm from petrol engine, 94hp from electric motor

TORQUE: 720Nm with 225Nm from electric motor

TRANSMISSION: Eight-speed automatic with electronic differential

ACCELERATION [0-100km/h]: 3.0 seconds

ACCELERATION [0-200km/h] 8.4 seconds

TOP SPEED: 330km/h (electronically limited)

ELECTRIC RANGE: 33km

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 4.8 litres/100km