Our parents might have taken only 2 years or maybe less than 2 years to give us a sibling, but as you might know, producing a sibling of a car is a bit more complex process than producing a human baby. And so, after 3 years, the McLaren Artura has got its Spider sibling, with a base price of $273,800. Depending on the region, deliveries are expected to commence in mid-2024.
The Artura Spider features an electrically-operated Retractable Hard Top (RHT)—which takes about 11 seconds to operate and can be operated at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph). And get this: the RHT system is actuated by eight electric motors. Two motors fold the roof panel, two raise and lower the rear tonneau cover, two control the aerodynamic covers on the leading edge of the tonneau buttresses, a further motor is responsible for the rear window operation, and another for the RHT latching mechanism. Phew. I know what you’re thinking. So many motors mean the Spider probably weighs 150+ kg (330+ lbs) more than the coupe.
But no, McLaren claims that the Spider weighs only 62 kg (136.7 lbs) more than the Artura coupe (dry weight: 1,457 kg/3,212 lbs vs 1,395 kg/3,075.4 lbs), and most of that weight is accounted for by the RHT mechanism. But what about the extra stiffness, bracings, etc needed to compensate for the lack of a roof? Well, McLaren is confident that the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) offers “a secure platform with no loss of rigidity when the fixed roof is removed”. Well, fair enough. BTW, that electrochromic glass panel on the RHT is an optional extra.
The rest of the things remain the same. I mean, the Artura is a hybrid sports car that combines a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with an axial flux electric motor integrated within an 8-speed DCT. The electric motor takes care of reversing the vehicle, which means there’s no mechanical reverse gear.
The petrol engine offers 20 metric hp more this time, bringing the system output to 515 kW or 700 metric hp. The system torque remains the same at 720 Nm (531 lb-ft). The updated Artura coupe will also receive an extra 20 horses. However, for the Chinese market, the system power output remains 500 kW or 680 metric hp.
A 7.4 kWh battery pack is estimated to offer an EV range of up to 33 km (20.5 mi), which is 3 km more than that of the Artura coupe, but these updates will be made available on the coupe version too. Official performance figures are as follows: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.0 seconds, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.4 seconds, 0-300 km/h (186 mph) in 21.6 seconds, and 0-400 m (1/4 mi) in 10.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 330 km/h (205 mph).
Other key highlights of the updated Artura include 25% faster gearshifts—thanks to revised transmission calibration, new engine mounts for better stiffness and dynamics benefits, new brake cooling ducts, and four separate ducting systems to increase engine cooling airflow and heat extraction while reducing occupant buffeting.
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