If you’re looking for a no compromise convertible sports car, then look no further than the 2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider. The car is the convertible version of last year’s MP4-12C coupe, though with its top up you’ll barely be able to tell them apart.

And we’re not just talking about the way it looks, but also the way it drives. That’s because the monocoque structure underpinning both 12C variants, McLaren’s all-carbon MonoCell, was designed from the onset to be roofless.

The advantage is that no additional reinforcements were required for the 12C Spider, despite the roof being retractable. In fact, the only added weight is a mere 88 pounds, most of which is due to the roof’s folding mechanism.

The roof takes just 17 seconds to go up or down, and it can even be operated at speeds of up to 19 mph. The overall weight of the 12C Spider with all fluids on board comes in at around 3,200 pounds.

Coming in for the 2013 model year, the 12C Spider also gets McLaren’s latest updates for the 12C range. This means that peak output from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 is a healthy 616 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, which is all the more impressive when you consider the powertrain escapes a gas-guzzler tax.

The 0-60 mph run takes 3.1 seconds, and you’ll be able to cruise all the way to a top speed of 204 mph--just 3 mph less than the 12C coupe. Note, these specs are achieved using the available Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires.

How much will also this cost you? The car’s starting price is $268,250, including destination.

If you’re looking for even more 12C Spider images, be sure to check our gallery of the car’s public debut at the 2012 Pebble Concours d’Elegance.