McLaren 720S Spider review

Decide you’re going to buy a new 720S Spider and you’re in for a big bill. You knew that already. McLaren, clearly having studied at the same school of economics as Ferrari, does know how to charge for stuff. These lightweight forged wheels may save another 13.9kg, but they’ll also relieve you of £3,170. And that’s before you’ve shelled out the extra £1,600 to have the diamond cut finish. Or the £1,140 to have the brake calipers polished and painted a special colour.

Sports exhaust? £4,900. You need that. £1,420 electric steering column? Only if you need it to get out the way of your belly. £3,280 carbon fibre seatbacks? Who’s going to see them? 360-degree Park Assist? That’s McLaren knowing the 720S Spider will be bought by a ding-averse urban clientele, who will probably be prepared to pay £4,720. Less than two per cent of the list price, after all.

Other topics: McLaren says 23.2mpg. It can be driven economically, so 26mpg is possible if you get your anticipation right and keep your throttle use light on a long haul. You might get 400 miles from the 72-litre tank that way. More likely you’ll get less than 200, because you’ll have kept the turbos fizzing. 16-17mpg is probably a fair indication of what to expect, 18-19mpg if you’re a total boulevarder.

The warranty is three years, unlimited miles; service intervals are annual (or every 12,400 miles, but almost no supercar does more than half that a year). You can buy an extended warranty that’ll cover the 720S until it’s 12 years old.