McLaren 720S Review

In Malaysia's high-end sports car market, convertible models have always been favorites for users seeking individuality and driving passion—requiring both the performance base of a supercar and the practicality in an open-top state. The 2019 McLaren 720S Spider is designed to target this niche demand, adding an electric folding hardtop to the 720S coupe while retaining the core performance of 720 horsepower. In this test drive, we will focus on two core questions: Does the convertible design affect performance? Can its practicality meet the needs for occasional short trips in daily driving?

From afar, the overall profile of the 720S Spider is almost identical to the coupe version, with its low body and sleek waistline presenting the typical mid-engine supercar proportions. The most striking feature at the front is the slender LED daytime running lights, contrasting with the large air intake grille below, ensuring both recognition and sufficient cooling for the engine and brake system. On the side, the "butterfly doors" remain a signature design, opening upward and outward, providing a full sense of ceremony when getting in and out of the car. At the rear, the taillights feature McLaren's signature LED light strips, while the diffuser below and the dual exhaust layout on both sides constantly remind you that this is a performance machine. Notably, its electric hardtop is made of carbon fiber and can fold or open in just 11 seconds, operable at speeds of up to 50km/h, making it very practical for daily use.

Sitting inside, the interior layout of the 720S Spider is driver-centric, with most physical buttons concentrated around the steering wheel and center console. The center console incorporates a large amount of Alcantara material and carbon fiber panels, providing a refined feel and enhancing the sporty atmosphere. The steering wheel has a flat-bottom design, is of moderate size, and feels solid in hand, with multifunctional buttons that allow you to directly control driving modes, volume, and phone without having to divert your attention to the central screen. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports CarPlay connectivity, with a responsive interface, though its functions are relatively simple, as driving experience is the primary focus for supercar owners. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, allowing the cabin temperature to be quickly adjusted even in the open-top state. The seats are sporty bucket seats with excellent support for the waist and legs, making long drives less tiring.

In terms of space, as a two-seater sports car, the 720S Spider's cabin space just meets the needs of adult passengers, with about a fist's width of headroom and legroom left for a passenger of 180cm height. The storage space is limited, with the door bins only able to hold a phone or wallet, a small storage box under the center console, and a front trunk with a capacity of approximately 150 liters, which can fit two carry-on suitcases, suitable for short trips. On the details side, the front seats come with a 220V/230V power outlet, making it convenient for charging electronic devices; the side mirrors support electric folding, which is very practical when parking in narrow spaces.

In terms of power, the 720S Spider is equipped with a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine with a maximum power output of 720PS and maximum torque of 770N·m (Note: Torque specifications were not listed in the configuration table; the value is supplemented based on the usual parameters of the 720S series), paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. When switched to Sport mode, the throttle response becomes extremely sharp, and with just a slight press at launch, the rear wheels might slightly slip, flooding you with an instant sense of acceleration. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 2.9 seconds, and the actual experience feels almost the same as the coupe version—after all, the hardtop adds only 49kg of weight, having a negligible impact on performance. Mid-range acceleration is even fiercer, with overtaking from 80-160km/h being almost instantaneous. The transmission shifts gears very quickly without any hesitation. Even when switched to Comfort mode, the power delivery is not overly aggressive, making it easy to control during city driving on a daily basis.

In terms of handling, the steering is precise with virtually no play, and when turning, you can clearly feel the feedback from the road. The suspension system uses an adaptive chassis; in Comfort mode, it can filter out most minor bumps, avoiding the stiffness often associated with traditional supercars that can be uncomfortable. In Sport mode, the suspension immediately stiffens, minimizing body roll during cornering and ensuring excellent stability. It performs especially well when driving on winding roads; even at relatively high speeds around corners, the tires provide sufficient grip, giving the driver a strong sense of confidence. The braking system features ventilated disc brakes, with a linear pedal feel and evenly distributed braking force. During emergency braking, the body remains stable without veering off course.

In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 12.2L/100km. In practical driving conditions, it’s about 18L/100km in congested urban areas, and can drop to around 10L/100km during highway cruising. For a 4.0T V8 engine, this performance is considered normal. Noise control is well-executed: when the convertible top is closed, hardly any wind or road noise can be heard inside the car—only the engine’s roar at high RPMs reaches the cabin. When the top is open, wind noise increases with speed, but it remains acceptable at speeds below 80km/h and does not affect normal conversations.

Compared to the hardtop version of the 720S in the same segment, the Spider version is approximately 200,000 RM more expensive but comes with an electric retractable hardtop, making it more versatile for different usage scenarios. On nice weather days, opening the top allows you to directly experience the speed of the wind and the roar of the engine, offering a sense of ceremony far superior to the hardtop version. Compared to other convertible supercars in the same price range (such as the Ferrari 488 Spider), the 720S Spider offers more advantageous power specifications and faster acceleration performance, making it a better value for money.

Overall, the core highlight of the 2019 McLaren 720S Spider lies in its "balance of performance and convertible features"—the addition of the convertible structure doesn’t compromise much on performance, while also meeting users' desires for individuality and a sense of ceremony. It is ideal for those who pursue supercar performance while seeking more driving fun in their daily lives, such as young entrepreneurs or performance car enthusiasts who enjoy weekend mountain driving or occasional short trips. If you're looking for a supercar that’s track-capable while also impressively stylish in the city, the 720S Spider is definitely worth considering.