The 2025 McLaren Artura Spider arrives as far more than a roofless take on its coupe counterpart. The Woking-based carmaker implemented substantial changes to the Spider’s powertrain, chassis, and software to refine its entry-level hybrid and improve its driving experience. It’s worth noting, however, that while today’s announcement centers mainly around the Spider, these updates also make their way to the coupe, making this a double unveil for the 2025 model year.
The biggest change implemented for the Artura Spider is, of course, the addition of a carbon fiber folding roof. And like previous convertible McLarens, transforming a coupe into a Spider is made relatively “simple” by this car’s carbon monocoque. According to McLaren, this latest car’s 3,212-pound dry weight increases by 136 lb over the coupe’s, with most of that extra heft coming not from added strengthening components but rather from the folding mechanism itself. This tub is so stiff that the carmaker states that there is no loss in rigidity, even with its roof section removed. Its carbon top folds in 11 seconds at up to 31 mph.
Exterior changes aside, the 2025 McLaren Artura Spider benefits from major powertrain updates in physical hardware and software. Power increases to 690 horsepower, a 19-hp bump gained by an engine recalibration, while its maximum 531 pound-feet of torque output remains unchanged. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 may remain physically unchanged; it benefits from an updated valved exhaust system and improved ducting that improves cooling and heat extraction.
Because these power gains are achieved chiefly through software improvements, McLaren stated it would offer the upgrade to existing Artura owners at no extra cost.
Alongside the extra power, the McLaren Artura Spider and its coupe counterpart get stiffer engine mounts. The carmaker incorporates them to reduce engine movement under load to improve stability and agility. Additionally, the stiffened mounts should allow the driver to feel more of the engine’s vibrations, increasing overall involvement. On the software side, improvements include adding what McLaren calls its “Spinning Wheel Pull-Away” feature, or in layman’s terms, a track-only burnout mode.
The Spider’s suspension gets revised damper valving, improving their responsiveness. These work alongside improvements to Artura’s ethernet architecture, which enhances handling response rates by up to 90 percent. It retains its Comfort, Sport, and Track modes that can be adjusted by rocket controls placed just ahead of the steering wheel.
The Artura’s E-motor, which sits between this car’s eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and acts as its reverse gear, develops 94 horsepower and 166 pounds of torque. And while its 7.4 kilowatt-hour usable capacity hasn’t changed, its range has improved, and it can now cruise up to 21 miles.
Given the Artura Spider’s relatively minor weight gains and power boost, its performance stats are virtually unchanged from the coupe’s. It sprints to 60 mph in three seconds, hits 124 mph in 8.4, and 186 mph in 21.6. It’ll complete the quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds and top out at an electronically limited 205 mph.
These stats are made possible partly by the Spider’s recalibrated transmission, which now shifts 25 percent faster. McLaren introduced a “pre-fill” feature that pressurizes the hydraulic fluid in the transmission so it can respond instantly when the driver clicks up to the next gear. Power still goes to the rear wheels only via an electronic differential nestled within the transmission.
Alongside model range changes, McLaren has updated this car’s options list, including new carbon fiber components, a quicker front-axle lift system, and black Stealth badges. While the Spider comes standard with a unique set of 15-spoke wheels, a new set of 10-spoke Super-Lightweight wheels is optional. According to McLaren, the Artura Spider will come standard with the brand’s Clubsport seat in most markets; however, sporting and heated comfort seats will also be available.
The 2025 McLaren Artura Spider starts at $273,800 for the U.S. However, the carmaker also plans to offer three packs to alter the Spider’s aesthetic, look, and feel. Called Performance, TechLux, and Vision, each package adds $9,400 to this hybrid’s base price.
The Artura Spider is available to order now, with deliveries expected to begin around the middle of this year.