McLaren has introduced a third body style to its entry-level "Sport Series", giving the brand a convertible option to join the 570S and 570GT coupes.

The brand's new 570 Spider should prove to be the most affordable open-topped car in its relatively short history, even if its price is eye-wateringly close to $500,000 in Australia.

It also fills the gap left by the discontinued 650S Spider and coupe while the brand finalises work on the more capable (and no doubt pricier) 720S Spider.

While it may be the baby of the brand, the 570S still offers shattering performance thanks to a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 that produces 419kW and 600Nm - enough to power the Spider to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds before reaching a top speed of 328km/h (or 315km/h if you happen to have the roof down).

McLaren says this is "a convertible without compromise", weighing just 46 kilograms heavier than the coupe while offering the same rigidity courtesy of its carbon fibre chassis. The car's electric hardtop roof requires 15 seconds to open or close at speeds up to 40km/h, and its rear spoiler stands 12mm higher than the coupe.

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