by Gabrielle DeSantis

As time and technology march on, ‘ordinary’ cars like the Civic Type R start to catch up to supercars. And sometimes, even brand flagships get one-upped by succeeding models. That’s the situation McLaren finds itself in right now. The British company has a new model, the 2021 McLaren 765LT Spider. And on paper, the convertible out-accelerates McLaren’s own racetrack-ready Senna.

The 755-hp 2021 McLaren 765LT Spider drops its top but keeps its performance up

First, a bit of background. In 2019, McLaren released the 720S along with the convertible 720S Spider. It then spent some time tweaking, updating, and redesigning the 720S into the 2021 765LT. And now, the 765LT gets the same convertible treatment as the 720S to make the 2021 McLaren 765LT Spider.

Usually, turning a car into a convertible requires additional chassis and structure bracing to make up for the lack of a roof. Doing so adds weight, though, which is OK for a ‘regular’ car, but bad for a performance-oriented supercar. However, the 2021 McLaren 765LT Spider, like all of the company’s models, has a stiff carbon-fiber tub. It’s so stiff that the 765LT Spider doesn’t need any extra structural support, MotorTrend says.

As a result, the Spider’s mechanical folding hardtop only adds 108 pounds to the supercar’s curb weight. And at 3,060 pounds, the McLaren 765LT Spider is 176 pounds lighter than the 720S Spider. That’s thanks to weight-savings measures like a titanium exhaust, carbon-fiber aero elements, and thinner glass. The 765LT Spider’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission even has a few components made out of “Formula-1-grade” materials. Though it’s worth pointing out that curb weight is without the stereo and A/C, The Drive notes.

Besides less weight, the 2021 McLaren 765LT Spider gets a few performance upgrades over the 720S Spider. It has a quicker steering rack and carbon-ceramic brakes, Roadshow reports, as well as lighter forged-alloy wheels wrapped with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires. Also, a carbon-fiber center console, exposed floor, and seats. Plus, a wider front track and lower ride height as well as a reprogrammed active suspension system with new dampers and springs.

Oh, and it’s also more powerful.

From 0-60 mph, the 2021 McLaren 765LT Spider is faster than the McLaren Senna supercar

Like the 765LT, the 2021 McLaren 765LT Spider has a mid-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. It’s rated at 755 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, 45 more hp and 22 more lb-ft than the 720S Spider has. And that lets the 765LT Spider go 0-60 mph in a claimed 2.7 seconds and 0-124 mph in 7.2 seconds. Plus, the convertible runs the ¼-mile in 10 seconds flat.

In a straight line, the McLaren 765LT Spider speeds past the 720S Spider. In Car and Driver’s hands, the latter car went 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. The 720S Spider would also lose a ¼-mile drag race, as it needs 10.3 seconds to go the distance. However, because the 765LT Spider has shorter gear ratios, it maxes out at ‘just’ 205 mph, 7 mph slower than the 720S Spider.

That’s not the only earlier McLaren the new convertible can out-accelerate, though, at least briefly. The McLaren Senna also has a carbon-fiber tub and a mid-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with a seven-speed DCT. Filled up with fluids, though, the Senna is 30 lbs lighter than the 765LT Spider, Car and Driver reports. And its V8 makes 789 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. But even so, its 0-60 mph time is ‘just’ 2.8 seconds.

However, the McLaren Senna can quickly make up any lost ground. Its 0-124 mph time is 6.8 seconds and its top speed is 208 mph. Yet there’s one more wrinkle to the speed comparison. In its Senna test, Car and Driver recorded a ¼-mile time of 10.1 seconds. So, theoretically, the 765LT Spider could still squeak past.

How much does it cost?

The 2021 McLaren 765LT Spider doesn’t just keep pace with the Senna, though. It does it for significantly less money. However, it’s not what you’d call cheap. Prices start at $382,500; the stereo and A/C are no-cost options.

If you want one, though, you’ll have to act fast. McLaren is only making 765 examples of its new convertible. And only a third of the production is earmarked for North America.

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The post Speedier Than the Senna, the 765LT Spider Is McLaren’s Most Powerful Convertible appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ford shocked the world by revealing its first capable electric pickup truck, but is it getting the credit that it deserves? Ford’s new lineup has two new key players. The Ford F-150 Lightning and the Ford Mustang Mach-E were created to usher the blue oval brand into the era of the electric. Ford has intentionally converted two of its biggest nameplates, the Mustang, and the F-150, into electric vehicles to attract consumers. In an effort to handle expectations, has Ford been more reserved with its F-150 Lightning’s range estimates than needed?

How far can a Ford F-150 Lightning really go?

Range has been one of the biggest hurdles for EVs for years. Thanks to the development of new battery technology, electric vehicle battery ranges have made major strides. Some of the first electric vehicles got under 100 miles of range on a single charge. Today many automakers are producing electric vehicles with standard battery ranges of 200+ miles.

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning has two different battery classes. There’s the standard range battery and the more expensive extended-range battery for those looking to charge their pickup less. The standard range battery offers an EPA (environmental protection agency) estimated range of 230 miles. The extended-range battery offers a whopping estimated range of 300 miles, a huge achievement for an electric vehicle.

According to InsideEVs, Ford may be holding out on us. An automotive journalist claims that they saw an estimated range of 472 miles on a Ford F-150 Lightning model. This range is mind-blowing and beats out more seasoned EVs by a long shot. An estimated range this massive will likely come with a high price tag, but if Ford did accomplish this amazing range feat, they deserve major kudos.

How much will the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning cost?

A 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning base model, the Lightning Pro, will start at $39,974. The Lightning XLT model will cost $52,974. The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat trim is estimated to start at $67,474. The highest level Platinum trim will cost almost $90,000.

The cool thing about F-150 Lightning pricing is that the electric pickup is eligible for federal and local tax credits. After tax credits, you could be looking at a price reduction of at least $7,500. That would bring the entry-level trim from $39,974 all the way down to a starting price of $32,474. Not a bad deal for the first electric F-150.

When can I buy the F-150 Lightning?

Thanks to a chip shortage, Ford models have been expensive and elusive. With a huge amount of preorders and an exciting lineup, Ford is expected to come out on top after the shortage. That being said, now isn’t a great time to think about purchasing a Ford model.

Orders and deliveries have been delayed by months. Ford currently cannot keep up with demand. The ordering process for the 2022 F-150 Lightning begins this Fall, but that doesn’t mean you’ll receive your vehicle anytime soon. Ford’s newest electric pickup is nothing short of revolutionary. It will just be tough to purchase.

RELATED: Is the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Eligible for EV Tax Credits?

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