Performance is always going to be a big factor in anything that McLaren produces, which is why the press introduction for the 2013 McLaren 12C Spider took us to the Ascari Resort in Spain. Thirteen right and thirteen left hand corners make up a five and a half kilometer track, a perfect test for any new McLaren model.

Most 12C Spider’s won’t get to see the track though. This is where Ascari’s location comes into play. It’s an hour away from Marbella, an established mecca for wealth and fame, nestled in the foothills of the mountains outside Ronda. The perfect test for the Spider’s cruising, road handling ability and feel.

The 12C coupe has been on the market for over a year already. For many, its reliance on electronic wizardry makes it a clinical option. The coupe is a hugely fast and very capable supercar, yet some believe it lacks the passion of its Italian rival. We set out to find out if removing the roof injected a bit more flair to what we already know is an incredible package.

The 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine gets the 12C’s 2013 updates. It now features 625hp and 600Nm of torque which makes for a zero to 100km/h time of just 3.1 seconds, exactly the same as the coupe. To 200km/h it takes nine seconds, which is 0.2 seconds slower than the coupe. Top speed is 3km/h short to the fixed roof 12C at 329km/h.