McLaren MP4-12C Spider makes Detroit debut

The McLaren MP4-12C Spider made its Detroit debut on Thursday at Woodward's Vinsetta Garage. It was not the Volcano yellow drop-top seen at Pebble Beach, but a version slathered in what McLaren calls Volcano red.

We already know the details. The 12C Spider gets power from a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 making 616 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, where split-second shifts are popped off with steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

According to McLaren, due to the rigidity of the car's body, the conversion to the Spider added just 88 pounds, most of it from the power-folding hardtop mechanicals. Once folded away, the top is hidden under two rear cowls, which also double as rollover protection.

The Spider runs to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds, and 100 mph takes just 6.1 seconds. The quarter mile clicks off in 10.8 seconds, with a clocked speed of 134 mph. When all is said and done, the McLaren 12C Spider tops out at 204 mph, just 3 mph slower than its hardtop counterpart.

For 2013, both the Spider and hardtop MP4-12C will feature a lift system, which raises the vehicle when pulling into driveways or other areas with low clearance.

The McLaren 12C Spider costs $268,250 and is on sale now in North America. That seems like a lot, but it includes two soft travel bags that fit under the hood. It's basically a steal.

By Jake Lingeman