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Powered By His Name
McLaren Senna

Most McLaren models are named using alphanumeric codes, but Woking’s latest creation has broken this tradition. Previously codenamed as P15 internally, the McLaren Senna is named for legendary Formula 1 race driver Ayrton Senna, who claimed all three of his F1 driver championships in McLaren cars.

Putting Senna’s name onto the new model certainly creates an expectation of extreme performance, and the automaker promises to deliver, claiming the completely street-legal Senna is the most extreme and powerful McLaren road car that also offers the most intense circuit experience. It is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, the most powerful McLaren road car internal combustion engine ever, generating 789 hp and 800Nm, sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

With the carbon fibre Monocage III chassis and body panels, the Senna is extremely lightweight at 1,198 kg – the lightest McLaren since the F1 road car. The exterior of the car is aerodynamically-driven, topped off by the huge, double-element swan-neck carbon fibre rear wing that stands 1,219 mm tall. The wing is hydraulically actuated and constantly adjusts to optimise the downforce levels and act as an airbrake when needed. The interior of the two-seater is minimal – the only storage space is behind the seats with just enough room for helmets and race suits for two.

All of the 500 hand-crafted examples have already been spoken for. The Senna will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March.