Leaked patent drawings first tipped off the automotive world about McLaren's plans to affix the MP4-12C Spider with an innovative folding roof mechanism. AutoCar has confirmed those suspicions today, having received a pair of photos showing the new McLaren model in action on the roads of England. The McLaren MP4-12C Spider's new three-piece hard-top works by folding and stacking the pieces on top of each other, allowing visibility of the British supercar's mid-mounted V8 all the time, even when the top is down.

The MP4-12C utilizes a 592hp 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Much like its coupe-counterpart, the Spider will be able to sprint from 0-62mph in only 3.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 205mph. The lightweight three-piece folding hard-top roof was developed and built by German firm Webasto, the same team which designed the Ferrari 458 Spider's roof.