What is it?

The McLaren 12C  is one of the most technologically advanced supercars ever, and this latest Spider version is aiming to promise everything you get from the coupe but with more wind in the hair thrills.

It’s got the same carbon fibre MonoCell chassis as the hardtop, which is so strong that no additional bracing or strengthening was required when engineers lopped the roof off. It’s also got the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, which produces a ridiculous 616bhp.

What’s hot?

• The performance on offer here is verging on the insane. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 3.1 seconds and 0-100mph comes around in just 6.1 seconds. Nothing this side of a Koeniggsegg or a Bugatti Veyron feels this accelerative.
  

  

• The 12C tackles corners a lot like a racing car, exhibiting almost no body roll and gripping harder than you thought possible. The quick steering doesn’t provide loads of feedback but it’s so well tuned that it quickly becomes second-nature to use.
• The electric roof can be lowered in just 17 seconds and the engine sounds fantastic. It’s not as spine-tingling as the 458 Spider but there’s a deep metallic growl and an explosion of pops and bangs on every full-throttle upshift.
• If you’ve ever driven a car as focused as this you’ll definitely be surprised by just how comfortable the McLaren is. You’ll wince approaching a pothole, only for the Spider to soak it up with minimum fuss.
• At low speeds the 12C is extremely easy to drive, too. The seven-speed auto gearbox works just as well pootling around town as it does on hard-charging 0-100mph runs.
• The cabin is fantastic, with attention to detail that’ll have you picking out little touches long after your first drive.

What’s not?

• You’ll have to remember that this is a supercar so when you’re on the motorway there’s still a fair bit of tyre noise and engine drone.
  

  

• The basic price may be £194,415 but you’ll soon find the price up to around £250,000 once you add a few options.
• Mainly for academic interest, running the McLaren as a company car means around £70,000 in BIK. For high-rate tax payers that’s a near-£30,000 a year tax bill.
• Running costs are not a strong point either, with CO2 emissions of 279g/km and fuel economy of 24.2mpg.

Business Car Manager Verdict

The 12C Spider is an incredible piece of British engineering and one that we’d say isn’t as showy as a Lamborghini or a Ferrari.

If you’re a well-to-do entrepreneur and want to fly the flag for Britain whilst driving one of the best-handling, most thrilling supercars ever created then the 12C Spider is a perfect fit though admittedly as a business car it has its flaws.

The Low Down…

…and what it costs