McLaren Senna

The car is named after Ayrton Senna (1960–1994), the Brazilian Formula One driver who raced with the McLaren Formula One Team from 1988 to 1993. With McLaren, Senna won three Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles and 35 Grand Prix victories; McLaren simultaneously won four consecutive Formula One World Constructors' Championship titles with Senna as part of their driver line-up. McLaren Automotive holds the rights to the Senna family name together with the Instituto Ayrton Senna, making the name exclusive to this vehicle and prohibiting its use by other manufacturers.

The Senna's primary design objective was to achieve the fastest possible lap times. It is largely based on the McLaren 720S, using a modified version of its carbon fibre monocoque and engine. The chassis is built around the MonoCage III, a new generation of McLaren's carbon fibre monocoque. Dry weight is 1,198 kg (2,641 lb), yielding a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 498 kW (668 hp) per tonne.

The powertrain is the M840TR, a 3,994 cc (4.0 L) twin-turbocharged V8 producing 588 kW (789 hp) at 7,250 rpm and 800 N·m (590 lb·ft) of torque at 5,500 rpm, delivered to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Unlike the P1, the Senna carries no electric motor.

Aerodynamic features include an electronically operated double-element rear wing that also serves as an airbrake, a double-element diffuser, a Formula One-inspired roof scoop, front and side air intakes, rear air louvres, large front fenders, and mini-canards inside the intake panels. Braking is handled by a new generation of Brembo carbon ceramic brakes with three and a half times the thermal conductivity of prior iterations, sized smaller and lighter as a result. The suspension uses McLaren's hydraulic RaceActive Chassis Control II (RCC II) system with double-wishbone control arms. The exhaust is a top-mounted hot-vee inconel-titanium system with three outlet pipes. The interior is primarily exposed carbon fibre and Alcantara; behind the two seats is storage space dimensioned for two helmets and race suits.

Manufacturer-claimed performance figures (released February 2018): 0–100 km/h in 2.8 s; 0–200 km/h in 6.8 s; 0–300 km/h in 17.5 s; standing quarter-mile in 9.9 s; top speed 335 km/h (208 mph).

At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show McLaren unveiled a concept for the Senna GTR, a track-only version. McLaren had initially planned to enter the LM GTE class, but LMP1-level costs and the performance of the F1 team led to cancellation of the GTE programme. The production Senna GTR is limited to 75 units. It features wider front and rear fenders, a larger front splitter, new wheels, a revised wing setup, and a bigger rear diffuser generating approximately 1,000 kg (2,204 lb) of downforce. Power from the 4.0 L twin-turbocharged V8 is at least 825 PS (814 hp). A dual-clutch race transmission and revised suspension with Pirelli racing slicks were fitted to make it the fastest non-Formula One vehicle McLaren had produced. The Senna GTR competed at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The FIA, during its evaluation of future World Endurance Championship regulations, identified the Senna GTR as one of several models fitting its vision for a replacement for the Le Mans Prototype class.

The Senna LM is a 35-unit limited run developed by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). Power of the 4.0 L twin-turbo V8 is raised to 825 PS (814 hp) through polished ports and cylinder heads. The McLaren orange livery is a homage to the McLaren F1 LM, itself a tribute to the F1 GTR that won the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unique external features include front fender louvres, satin-gold-tipped quad exhausts, titanium panels, OZ centre-lock wheels, and LM branding. Five units were sold to the US market; all five went to the same buyer in Florida, who still owns three of them. One US Senna LM was destroyed in a road accident in 2020 involving former Formula One driver Adrian Sutil and was subsequently fully repaired.

McLaren Special Operations unveiled the Senna GTR LM on 17 September 2020 as the road-legal version of the track-only Senna GTR. Only five units were produced, each with a unique paint scheme reflecting one of the five McLaren F1 GTRs at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, created to mark the 25th anniversary of that victory. Power is 833 hp (845 PS), the highest of any Senna variant; the redline is raised from 8,250 rpm to 9,000 rpm. Bodywork is shared with the Senna GTR; wheels are OZ Racing carbon fibre. Two cars were sold to a US customer, two to a customer in Spain, and one to a customer in the United Kingdom.

In December 2020, McLaren unveiled the Sabre, a US-market-exclusive model of which 15 examples were produced by McLaren Special Operations. Its design draws heavily from the McLaren Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo while borrowing aerodynamic elements from the Senna. The 4.0 L twin-turbocharged V8 produces 824 hp (835 PS); top speed is 218 mph (351 km/h). McLaren claimed it was the fastest two-seat McLaren at the time of its release, noting that both the McLaren F1 and the McLaren Speedtail have three seats.

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