'In the new 12C Spider you get the best of both worlds,' says McLaren Automotive Managing Director Antony Sheriff. 'You get all the performance and driving integrity of the 12C, plus the thrill of open-roof motoring.

'The 12C Spider utilises all of McLaren's Formula 1 knowledge and expertise at building lightweight driver-focused sports cars. Just like the 12C, the 12C Spider is "pure McLaren" - it is built without compromise to offer maximum driving enjoyment and performance, but with the added appeal of roof-down driving. No other sports car has this combination of abilities.'

The new 12C Spider is mechanically identical to the 12C. It uses the upgraded 625PS engine, which is part of the 12C Model Year 2013 upgrade. Acceleration - 0-62mph (100 km/h) - takes just 3.1 seconds (when fitted with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres), the same as the coupé. Fuel consumption and emissions also remain the same, returning 24.2 mpg (11.7 l/100km) on the combined cycle and 279g/km. The figures are much better than most high performance convertible sports cars, in keeping with McLaren's commitment to class-leading fuel efficiency. Maximum speed is 204 mph (329 km/h).

'The 12C Spider is not a converted version of the 12C,' notes Sheriff. 'Importantly, the two were conceived and developed at the same time, and alongside each other. The 12C programme included a coupé and convertible from the outset. The carbon fibre MonoCell chassis and all other mechanical components were designed to produce maximum performance in both configurations.

'The 12C Spider fully subscribes to the McLaren overriding principle, that every single component should be 'Pure McLaren'. Each constituent part was conceived, designed and produced to McLaren specification - nothing is shared from other manufacturers. The goal is to maximise driving enjoyment, performance and efficiency. Just as important, we always seek to innovate. By producing the 12C Spider with all the performance, handling and ride quality of the 12C, we have done just that.'