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2022 McLaren 765LT Spider First Drive
2022 McLaren 765LT Spider First Drive
With all the performance of the 765LT coupe, the new Spider brings open-top emotion with small compromises. Step on the throttle, and the sonorous experience turns glorious as the revs build.
On paper, a mid-engine supercar with 755 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque mated to a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox sounds like the perfect combination already. But the pairing feels even more delightful than expected from behind the wheel. The powertrain is just one element, and the carbon-fiber tub and other bits deserve a ton of credit, too. Engineers focused on making the 765LT as light as possible, using titanium rather than steel for its exhaust system, plus Formula 1-grade transmission materials and even lightweight glazing for the side windows. Compared to the McLaren 720S Spider, the 765LT Spider is about 170 pounds lighter. The result is insane.
In a straight line, McLaren says the 765LT Spider reaches 60 mph in 2.7 seconds, and it takes 7.2 seconds to reach 124 mph—and we suspect those numbers are conservative. After all, a 2018 McLaren 720S we tested accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Although that model was a coupe and not a convertible, we're pretty sure our test team can beat McLaren's numbers.
Besides the sound, the throttle mapping is one of the things we liked most about the 2022 McLaren 765LT Spider. Press the gas pedal gently and the car will move gently; press it hard and your back will slam to the seat. Power gets to the wheels instantly, the transmission shifts lighting fast, and the steering is as precise as you imagine it can be.
"It's one of those rare mid-engine cars that teaches a driver to be better, rather than challenging them to be better," international bureau chief Angus MacKenzie wrote at the time. The same applies to the 765LT Spider. The experience on the road is different than on the track, of course, but twisty Malibu canyon roads were no challenge for the car or its driver. The planted chassis, agile steering, and perfect powertrain delivered massive confidence. Getting familiar with the 765LT is easy if you know your limits. the McLaren delivers more feedback and weight than many Porsches we've driven recently. the suspension is stiff—perhaps too stiff. Even in comfort mode, our backs were crying for a chiropractor visit. Small bumps are felt in the cabin regardless of which suspension setting you activate.
The 765 LT Spider's seats aren't as uncomfortable as those, they still aren't comfortable. Our backs began to hurt after 40 minutes, owing to the seats' thin cushioning. Indeed, the 765LT Spider isn't a particularly comfortable car. Besides the seats, foot room is cozy, there are no cubbies to stash your stuff, and the entire car vibrates all the time—even at idle.
If you're thinking about buying a 2022 McLaren 765 LT Spider, "How much?" is probably the last question you need to ask, but the starting price is $388,000.
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