McLaren 765LT Spider Review: Gone With The Wind
The McLaren 765LT Spider is the British carmaker's most powerful convertible ever. Sharing much with the 765LT Coupe, the Spider is a more hardcore track-focused version of the 720S Spider. As is often the case with McLaren, weight-saving has been a core area of the 765LT Spider's development. It's over 175 pounds lighter than the 720S Spider and around 220 lbs lighter than its nearest competitor. That list includes the Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder and Ferrari F8 Tributo. Powering the 765LT Spider is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 755 horsepower. That allows you to hit 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and 124 mph (200 km/h) in 7.2 seconds while having even the tightest-fitting hat blown clean off your head. The removal of the fixed roof adds to the drama of piloting the scalpel-sharp 765LT Spider with its incredibly rigid carbon structure. This is a drop-top only because the roof can be lowered - in every other instance, this thrilling McLaren is anything but a boulevard cruiser for posers.
2023 McLaren 765LT Spider
Production of the McLaren 765LT Spider was delayed a little during 2022, so the final models are being built and delivered during 2023.
2022 McLaren 765LT Spider
Announced in the second half of 2021 as a drop-top version of the regular 765LT, the 2022 765LT Spider adds a retractable hard-top roof to the mix which raises or lowers in only 11 seconds. It's only around 108 lbs heavier than the 765LT so the Spider is still capable of the same 0-60 time of 2.7 seconds. Even when the roof is closed, there is a power rear window that allows access to the full soundtrack from the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Compared with the 720S Spider, the 765LT Spider's in-gear acceleration is 15% quicker, and the aerodynamic downforce is increased by 25%.
2023 McLaren 765LT Spider
- Make
- McLaren
- Model
- 765LT
- Model Year
- 2023 McLaren 765LT Spider
- Year
- 2023
- Engine
- 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
- Horsepower
- 755 hp
- Transmission
- 7-Speed Automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Torque
- 590 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
- Steering Type
- Rack-Pinion
- Front Suspension
- Double Wishbone
- Rear Suspension
- Double Wishbone
- Wheels Type
- Aluminum Wheels
- Front Wheel Size
- 19" x 8"
- Rear Wheel Size
- 20" x 11"
- Front Tire
- P245/35YR19
- Rear Tire
- P305/30YR20
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 18 MPG
- Fuel Tank Capacity
- 19 gallons
- Cruising Range City
- 266 miles
- Cruising Range Highway
- 342 miles
- Length
- 181.1 in
- Height
- 46.9 in
- Max Width
- 80.5 in
- Front Width
- 65.2 in
- Wheelbase
- 105.1 in
- Curb Weight
- 3,060 lbs
- Trunk Volume
- 7.4 ft³
- Seating Capacity
- 2 seater
- HD Radio
- Not Available
- Bluetooth Connection
- Standard
- Hard Disk Drive Media Storage
- Standard
- Premium Sound System
- Standard
- Satellite Radio
- Standard
- Smart Device Integration
- Not Available
- WiFi Hotspot
- Standard
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Standard
- Entertainment System
- Not Available
- MP3 Player
- Standard
- Bucket Seats
- Standard
- Cloth Seats
- Not Available
- Leather Seats
- Standard
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Standard
- Premium Synthetic Seats
- Not Available
- Vinyl Seats
- Not Available
- Woodgrain Interior Trim
- Not Available
- Sun/Moonroof
- Not Available
- Head-Up Display
- Not Available
- Navigation System
- Standard
- Steering Wheel Audio Controls
- Not Available
- Power Liftgate
- Not Available
- Power Mirror(s)
- Standard
- A/C
- Standard
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Not Available
- Automatic Parking
- Not Available
- Climate Control
- Not Available
- Cooled Front Seat(s)
- Not Available
- Cooled Rear Seat(s)
- Not Available
- Cruise Control
- Standard
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Not Available
- Heated Front Seat(s)
- Not Available
- Heated Rear Seat(s)
- Not Available
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Not Available
- Keyless Entry
- Standard
- Multi-Zone A/C
- Standard
- Power Driver Seat
- Standard
- Power Passenger Seat
- Standard
- Remote Engine Start
- Not Available
- Remote Trunk Release
- Not Available
- Seat Memory
- Standard
- Universal Garage Door Opener
- Standard
- Seat-Massage
- Not Available
- Rear A/C
- Not Available
- Keyless Start
- Standard
- Navigation from Telematics
- Not Available
- Telematics
- Not Available
765LT Spider Exterior
Especially when finished in one of the striking available colors like Lime Green or Lantana Purple, the 765LT Spider is a more than worthy poster car. McLaren's focus on aerodynamics is evident in the carbon fiber aerodynamic package which includes a front splitter, side skirts, and bumper diffusers, all in carbon fiber. The headlights cutouts look like large, alien eyes, and the aggressive rear with high-mounted quad tailpipes screams power and speed. It's not graceful like some Italian exotics, but the McLaren has its own identity.
The one-piece retractable hard-top roof can be electrically lowered or raised in only 11 seconds and at speeds of up to 31 mph. It's fashioned from carbon fiber to save weight. Standard features include full LED headlights, automatic LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights. The dihedral doors are impossible to miss and have a soft-close function. At the back, there is an LT active rear wing that is calibrated for whether the roof is up or down. In this car, the aerodynamic downforce is 25% greater than the 720S Spider.
The ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels with a Platinum finish measure 19 inches in front and 20 inches at the back.
Dimensions
At 181.1 inches in length, the McLaren 765LT Spider is exactly the same length as its coupe sibling. At its widest point, the body has a width of 85 inches, but this increases to 118.3 inches when the doors are open so you'll want to avoid squeezing into any tight spots. With the doors closed, the height is 47 inches, increasing to 77.1 inches when they're open. The wheelbase measures 105.1 inches.
With fluids and 90% fuel, the DIN curb weight is 3,060 lbs, only 108 lbs heavier than the 765LT coupe. The dry weight is 2,818 lbs. This low weight is mostly because of the carbon fiber Monocage II body structure, but McLaren has gone as far as to use thinner glass for the windshield too.
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
181.1 in | 105.1 in | 46.9 in | 80.5 in | 65.2 in | 63.5 in | 3,060.0 lbs |
Exterior Colors
Like its coupe sibling, the McLaren 765LT Spider can be decked out in a wide variety of exterior colors. A demure standard palette consists of hues like White, Onyx Black, and Silver, while the more exciting options include Burton Blue, Lantana Purple, Vermillion Red, and Tokyo Cyan. Special colors worth mentioning are Sicillian Yellow, Luminaire, Curacao Blue, and McLaren Orange. Of course, Papaya Spark is a firm favorite, and with the MSO Bespoke program, buyers can have their speedster wrapped in any shade they think of - provided they're willing to pay for it.
765LT Spider Performance
The McLaren 765LT Spider's performance specs are right up there with its coupe sibling, thanks to a 755-hp V8. Performance is predictably brutal. The McLaren 765LT Spider completes 0-60 mph in only 2.7 seconds (the same as the heavier coupe) and 0-124 takes only 7.2 seconds. McLaren claims a quarter-mile sprint time of exactly ten seconds and a top speed of 205 mph. Additionally, in-gear acceleration is 15% quicker than in the 720S.
With rear-wheel drive, it's easy to elicit smoky burnouts from the 765LT Spider. It isn't the sweetest-sounding V8 ever, but such is the instantaneous throttle response and ability to eat up the road that a more pressing concern is making sure that you don't get yourself in trouble. The seven-speeder is also responsive and gear changes are as fast as you want in a car of this kind.
Engine and Transmission
With a flat-plane crankshaft, the 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine sounds distinctive as it runs up to its lofty red line. It makes 755 hp at 7,500 rpm and 590 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. Its three-layer head gasket and carbon-coated valve train followers come straight from the hardcore Senna. Paired with the powerful V8 is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which McLaren says is optimized for driver engagement.
Handling and Driving Impressions
The 765LT Spider drives remarkably similarly to its coupe sibling, and that's about as much praise as we can bestow upon the convertible. It all begins with the strong carbon fiber MonoCage II that makes the 765LT Spider as sturdy and stiff as the coupe. It has a carbon fiber front structural floor and an adaptive damping suspension. There are four handling modes: Non-Active, Comfort, Sport, and Track.
Driven at sane speeds in Comfort mode, the RWD 765LT Spider is a surprisingly livable machine. It is by no means a Bentley yet the suspension is capable of shielding occupants from road scars effectively enough, although the firmness never entirely disappears and the seats are supportive but hard. The roof is clearly well engineered as it masks more road noise than expected when it's up. Of course, this car wasn't meant to be used in Comfort mode. In Sport or Track, it comes alive in sensational fashion. The V8's power and responsiveness is superlative, and many public roads are too short or congested to fully unleash the car's performance. The electro-hydraulic steering is wonderful; it's fast, accurate, and provides more feedback than the vast majority of modern sports cars.
Track mode is appropriately named because it really only should be used on the track. With less intervention from the electronic safety nets, you'll need to have your wits about you. But it's this challenging demeanor and the car's multiple dynamic layers that make it so special. It's nimble, athletic, and razor-sharp in all the right ways. A nice trick is the ability to lower the rear window with the roof up - in this guise, you can hear the bark of the V8 but still enjoy the benefits of having the roof up.
765LT Spider Gas Mileage
Running costs for the McLaren 765LT Spider will be high. Its EPA ratings are 14/18/16 mpg city/highway/combined. That's only good if you compare it to the Bugatti Chiron, but it should also be noted those figures are only in ideal conditions. Drive the 765LT Spider in anger and single-digit mileage is in the cards. With its 19-gallon gas tank, the 765LT Spider will be able to cover just over 300 miles on a full tank.
765LT Spider Interior
Although it's in no way rudimentary, the interior of the 765LT Spider is more focused on driver engagement than it is on being plush. While you get high-end materials, it's devoid of things such as air conditioning or a sound system, unless you specifically ask for it, in the interest of saving weight. The standard seating in the McLaren 765LT Spider is for two in the form of carbon fiber racing seats that seat you low in the tub.
Seating and Interior Space
A strict two-seater, the 765LT Spider doesn't have the most comfortable cabin in the world. The carbon fiber racing seats are undoubtedly supportive during aggressive driving but they are thinly cushioned so can't be called comfortable. There isn't a lot of foot space either, but at least headroom is unlimited with the roof down.
The cabin feels exotic and expensive for the most part. The interior switches are machined from solid aluminum and there is carbon fiber trim everywhere. One or two areas, such as the interior rearview mirror casing, are finished in cheaper plastics. The seats themselves are upholstered in grippy Alcantara, but you can upgrade them to leather if you wish. Some of the colors include Carbon Black leather with Kingfisher Blue or McLaren Orange stitching.
Interior Colors and Materials
Supercars must have carbon fiber almost everywhere, and the 765LT Spider is no different. This also pairs well with a relatively dark interior as standard, but there are some satin silver touches here and there. Leather and Alcantara are your upholstery choices, and buyers can choose from Blue, McLaren Orange, Situs Grey, among others, for contrast stitching. To match this, the seatbelts can also be optioned in orange, yellow, or red.
765LT Spider Trunk and Cargo Space
McLaren hasn't bothered to publish figures for the 765LT Spider's small frunk, but it should match the coupe's 5.3 cubic feet of volume. As you may imagine, that's not enough for a set of golf clubs so you'd be better off taking up soccer or tennis.
There is a door storage pocket with a net, a cupholder, and a shallow center storage area, but the 765LT Spider is as practical as the average supercar, which means it's not particularly practical at all.
Features
Luxury takes a back seat to performance goodies in the cabin of the McLaren 765LT Spider. It comes with a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, an electrochromatic-dimming rearview interior mirror, a rearview camera, power-folding side mirrors with heating elements, soft-close doors, a power rear window, and the power-retractable hard-top roof. The racing seats are limited in their adjustability, but you can equip power-adjustable seats with heating if you aren't too fussed about adding weight. Dual-zone climate control, front/rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and a power-adjustable steering column are other optional features.
Infotainment
The infotainment system isn't nearly as cutting edge as the powertrain. It consists of an eight-inch touchscreen interface that has the basics but nothing more. It is occasionally laggy to use but at least voice controls, two USB ports, an auxiliary port, McLaren track telemetry, and 4G LTE connectivity are included. As with comfort and convenience items, McLaren leaves many features on the options list. You can add a four-speaker sound system - there is no standard sound system, removed in a bid to keep weight down - or a more powerful 12-speaker unit from Bowers & Wilkins. An AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth telephony are all also available.
765LT Spider Problems and Reliability
At the time of writing, no recalls had been issued by the NHTSA for the McLaren 765LT Spider. There is also no J.D. Power rating of the drop-top.
If anything does go awry, McLaren covers the 765LT Spider with a three-year warranty regardless of how many miles are covered in that period.
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
3 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / Unlimited Miles | 10 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / Unlimited Miles |
765LT Spider Safety
To nobody's surprise, there is no McLaren 765LT Spider crash review to speak of from local authorities. Chances are good that it never will be crash-tested owing to its price and exclusivity.
If the worst does happen, the McLaren does come with front and side airbags for the protection of the driver and passenger. In a car this quick, it helps to know that the car has an array of systems in place to keep things in check. That includes traction control, electronic stability control, cruise control, a speed limit function, variable drift control, brake pad wear sensors, brake disc wipe technology, and carbon ceramic brakes. There are also front and rear crash structures in aluminum. Optional equipment includes a 360-degree park assist system and front/rear parking sensors.
Key Safety Features
With dual front and side airbags, a rearview camera, cruise control, and stability control making up the majority of the standard safety specification, the McLaren 765LT isn't exactly flush with advanced driver assists and safety aids. But, for a price, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera, and six-point harnesses can be added on to bolster the list.
Verdict: Is the 2023 McLaren 765LT Spider A Good car?
By chopping off the roof, McLaren has literally amplified the experience of the regular 765LT with the 765LT Spider. There is a minor weight penalty that is unnoticeable in daily driving, and the performance has not suffered. What you do get is the novelty of dropping the carbon fiber roof which is also brilliantly engineered and shuts out most road noise when it's closed. Of course, this supercar is much more than its fancy roof. The engine is a masterpiece and endows the 765LT Spider with a dramatic turn of speed. It's paired with a quick transmission and top-notch dynamics. The 765LT is beautifully balanced; it'll flatter a novice and blow away more skilled drivers on a track. Shortcomings like the iffy infotainment system can't take away from what is a fantastic supercar.
What's the Price of the McLaren 765LT Spider?
The 2022 McLaren 765LT Spider's price begins at $382,500 MSRP in the USA. That makes it almost $25,000 more expensive than the normal 765LT. McLaren doesn't say much about what the options cost, but we know enough to know that you can easily add $100k worth of extras. For instance, carbon fiber body panels will cost over $36,000 on their own.
Additional Packages
Other than aesthetic upgrades, buyers of the 765LT Spider can also add four- or 12-speaker sound systems, air conditioning, power-adjustable seats, heated seats, and a suspension lift system. The surround-view parking system is also pretty useful.
Clubsport Pack
Super-Lightweight Carbon Fiber Racing Seats, Regular or touring, McLaren Track Telemetry w/Lap Time Function, 3 cameras, MSO Defined Satin Finish Visual Carbon Fiber Air Vents, Track Brake Upgrade
Exterior Carbon Fiber Pack 3
Carbon Fiber Front Air Intakes, Carbon Fiber Outer B Pillar,
Stealth Pack
Active Rear Wing Mechanism, Exhaust Finishers, Oil Cap Cover Panel
Exterior Carbon Fiber Pack 2
Carbon Fiber Rear Bumper Lower, Carbon Fiber Side Skirts, Carbon Fiber Front Splitter
Black Pack
Gloss Black Door Closure Panel, Gloss Black Front Air Intakes, Gloss Black Rear Bumper & Diffuser, Gloss Black Front Splitter, Gloss Black Door Winglet, Gloss Black Rear Aero Bridge, Gloss Black Window Surrounds, Gloss Black Lower Side Air Intakes, Gloss Black Side Skirts, Gloss Black Rear Fender Air Intakes, Gloss Black B-Pillar, Gloss Black Front Number Plate Plinth, Gloss Black Door Mirror Casings, Gloss Black Hood Air Intakes, Gloss Black Tonneau Cover
What McLaren 765LT Spider Model Should I Buy?
There is only one trim to choose from. Whether laden with extras or bought in its most basic form, the 765LT Spider is a brilliant supercar. If it were us, we'd include the no-cost air conditioning system as this is a feature we couldn't live without. We may also consider going for the more comfortable leather seats, although as this is meant to be a track toy, perhaps the standard buckets are best since most 765LT Spider owners are bound to have another car (or five) as a daily driver.
McLaren 765LT Spider Comparisons
2023 McLaren 765LT Spider vs McLaren 720S Spider
How do you want your drop-top? Hot or extra hot? If you're coming from something more docile like a Mercedes-AMG SL, both these McLarens will blow you away with their razor-sharp steering, thrilling acceleration, and agility. But there are a few differences that make the 765LT an even more capable track car where every pound, second, and horsepower makes a difference. At 755 hp, the 765LT makes 45 hp more than the 720S but can only cut a tenth of a second off the 0-60 time. McLaren promises superior in-gear acceleration in the former, though, and as it is 176 lbs lighter and has more downforce, the 765LT is even more buttoned-down and agile. McLaren has given the 765LT thinner side window and windshield glass, and the carbon fiber seats are 40 lbs lighter than the ones in the 720S. Both cars are fantastic, so go for the 720S is you'll be using the car every day and the 765LT for more occasional track exploits.
2023 McLaren 765LT Spider vs McLaren 765LT
These two track toys share many components, most notably the 755-hp twin-turbo V8. The Spider's retractable hard-top roof is made from carbon fiber and drops in only 11 seconds but it does make the car 108 lbs heavier than the coupe. Both cars will reach 60 mph in 2.7 seconds but the coupe is two-tenths faster to 124 mph (200 km/h). That's as near as makes no difference, and the rigid construction means that there's no discernable dynamic price to pay for the Spider. At almost $25,000 more, the Spider commands an understandable premium, but that's a minor factor considering that both cars start north of $350k. Nothing about the 765LT is subtle and the ability to lower the roof simply adds to the fun. For that reason, we'll take the Spider.