There have been quite a few headlines circling around McLaren of late.
Rumour and tetchy counter-rumour about its future have combined with the recent departure of its CEO to fill the air with some degree of intrigue and suspicion. But away from front-page news stories, the brand has simply been trying to get on with the straightforward business of being a car company and adding to its ever-increasing model line-up.
With the eagerly anticipated Artura on hold, next in line for an unveiling is the 765 LT Spider, the drop-top version of the flagship of its track-hardened Long Tail line-up. Claimed to be the fastest convertible the brand has ever produced, it also promises to add an extra dollop of driver engagement, which, given how immersive and synapse-snapping the coupé has already proved to be, is quite some statement of intent.
Mechanically, the Spider-flavoured 765 LT is largely identical to the fixed-head model, with the same 755bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 and suspension set-up that features a wider front track, lower ride height, bespoke springs and dampers and unique mapping for the interlinked hydraulic active damping system.
The biggest change, obviously, is the addition of the powered folding hard-top, which can have you up close and personal with the elements in just 11 seconds. There is a weight penalty for the roof, but thanks to its carbonfibre construction it weighs just 49kg, and at 1388kg all-in the LT is still 80kg lighter than an equivalently open-aired McLaren 720S.