McLaren 720S Spider 2020 Review

If you want a fast convertible, check out the Porsche 911. Even in its newest generation, the 911 remains one of the most entertaining drop-tops on the market. It's also relatively affordable by sports car standards. But if your budget is deep into six-figure territory, chances are you want something a little more exclusive than Porsche's evolutionary four-seater. If that sounds like you, may we suggest the 2020 McLaren 720S Spider?

This McLaren exotic sports car starts with the drop-dead gorgeous styling and sonorous V8 from the 720S coupe and swaps the fixed roof for a power-retractable hardtop. The result is one of the most lust-worthy supercars available today.

As with other McLarens, the backbone of the 720S Spider is a carbon-fiber tub that gives the chassis incredible rigidity and helps keep weight down. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged V8 that pumps out a thundering 710 horsepower. Even among rival open-air supercars, the 720S Spider's advertised 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds is prodigious.

Downsides? Well, McLaren likes to keep its cars pure and relatively elemental, so you won't find niceties such as adaptive cruise control and ventilated seats. The optional 360-degree camera system is the closest thing you'll find to a modern advanced driving system, though the available lift system does provide some everyday practicality. But as long as you don't need the newest and fanciest gizmos the automotive world has to offer, the 2020 McLaren 720S Spider will meet every one of your sports car desires.

Which 720S Spider does MatoCar recommend?

Since the different trim levels largely equip the 720S with a different assortment of styling flourishes, the choice is up to you and your tastes. From the options list, we'd recommend the 360-degree parking camera and vehicle lift — there's nothing more embarrassing than taking out your new supercar's bumper because you hit a parking stop. Also check out the Bowers & Wilkins audio system; though we haven't met any, it's theoretically possible that an owner exists who will get tired of hearing the V8's wail to redline.

The 2020 McLaren 720S Spider is a supercar differentiated from the 720S coupe by its retractable hardtop roof. It is available in three trim levels: base, Luxury and Performance. The powertrain consists of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 (710 horsepower, 568 lb-ft of torque) that drives the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Base Every McLaren 720S comes standard with:

• 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels
• Carbon-ceramic brakes
• LED headlights
• Adaptive dampers
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Manually adjustable seats
• Imitation suede upholstery and interior trim
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Four-speaker audio system
• Navigation system
• Satellite radio

Luxury The 720S Luxury adds:

• Dark gray exterior trim
• Engine bay lighting
• Interior ambient lighting
• Power-adjustable and heated seats
• Leather upholstery and interior trim

Performance The Performance adds the following to the base 720S:

• Carbon-fiber exterior trim
• Engine bay lighting
• Interior ambient lighting
• Carbon-fiber interior detailing
• Leather/imitation suede combination upholstery and trim

As with all high-end supercars, the 720S Spider offers a deep customization program to tailor the vehicle to the buyer.

Exterior or performance-based options include:

• Several carbon-fiber trim packages
• Forged alloy wheels
• Painted brake calipers
• High-performance Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires
• Sport exhaust
• Vehicle lift system
• Electrochromic roof (can dim the transparent section of the roof at the press of a button)
• Rearview camera
• 360-degree camera (gives you a bird's-eye view of the car for tight parking situations)

Inside, you can opt for:

• Fixed-back carbon-fiber sport seats
• Power-adjustable steering wheel
• 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system
• Contrast-color stitching
• Numerous carbon-fiber trim additions via McLaren's MSO customization program