Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Race Retro 2025 - Collectors' Cars on Saturday the 22nd of February, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG. It’s fair to say the McLaren Senna had some big boots to fill, being the third iteration of McLaren’s ‘Ultimate Series’ following the legendary F1 and widow-maker P1, but it’s safe to say the Senna lives up to all expectations and more.
First unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and named after the late Ayrton Senna as an homage to his 3 Formula 1 World Championships with McLaren between 1988 and 1993, it was a sharp and purposeful car with one main goal; to be the fastest and most track-focused road car McLaren had ever produced. A fitting tribute to say the least.
In contrast to its precursor, the P1, the Senna forwent any hybrid system or electrical powertrain assistance, instead opting for a modified version of McLaren’s own 4. 0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, codenamed M840TR. This engine is an engineering feat on its own, being the most powerful engine ever installed in a McLaren road car, producing 789bhp and 800nm of torque, transmitted to the tarmac through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the rear wheels. It remains a hugely advanced engine, featuring dry-sump lubrication, lightweight rods and pistons, a pair of ultra-low-inertia twin-scroll turbochargers fitted with electronic wastegates for instant throttle response and a bespoke carbon-fibre intake plenum, feeding cold air through the motorsport-derived roof scoop.
Many of those 789 horses would be redundant without serious witchcraft in the chassis helping them all contribute, and that’s where its active aerodynamics, unparalleled on any other production road car, come into play. The front end is dominated by a huge and functional raised splitter with large air intakes, featuring active winglets to channel air under the body. Warm air from the radiators is channelled, from behind, up and over the roof, deliberately missing the roof scoop before flowing over the enormous active rear wing. The wing itself is controlled by hydraulics and moves constantly to suit the driving scenario, either acting as an airbrake lifting to 90° increasing downforce and stopping power, or reducing drag as part of an active F1-derived Drag Reduction System (DRS). The rear end is further enhanced with a double diffuser and a second fixed lower wing, which are fed exhaust air from the louvred engine cover. The results of this aerodynamic concoction are remarkable. At 155mph the Senna can produce 800kg of downforce, a seemingly impossible 40% increase over the, already efficient, McLaren P1.
The chassis is based around McLaren’s own 'Monocage III' tub and is constructed of lightweight materials and carbon fibre throughout for a combination of maximum stiffness and lightness. Each seat weighs a remarkable 3. 6kg, the front wings are less than 700 grams and the enormous rear wing is less than 5. 5kg. The Senna also uses an upgraded version of McLaren’s Race Active Chassis Control II system, which features an active double wishbone and hydraulic damper setup from the P1, allowing for variable ride height, damping, and stiffness modes according to the driver’s desired setup. Retardation is achieved by Formula 1–inspired carbon brakes developed in partnership with Brembo, with discs that take seven months to make, each one with integrated cooling vanes and a thermal compound that is three times more conductive than conventional carbon-ceramic brakes. Indeed, so potent is the braking system, that the Senna currently holds the record for braking performance for production cars: 124 mph to a standstill in just 100 metres, decelerating with a force of 2. 1g.
Other performance statistics to which the Senna can lay claim are no less impressive: 0–62mph dispatched in 2. 8 seconds, 0–124 mph in just 6. 8 seconds, and by doing away with any hybrid or electrical units the dry weight is just under 1, 200kg, equating to a power-to-weight ratio of 668bhp per ton. It thus eclipses even the P1 statistic of 646hp per ton, whilst simultaneously offering significantly more downforce.
The McLaren Senna offered here is truly special, even within the context of being a Senna. This is XP01, VIN #0001, making it the very first Senna ever produced. Not to be confused with the first customer car, which is finished in a unique Blue and White colour scheme, this is a uniquely specified example which incorporates almost every conceivable McLaren Special Operations (MSO) bespoke and optional equipment.
The Senna’s internal development codename was P15, with their ‘Experimental Prototype’/ development cars being allocated XP build numbers to signify they were pre-production cars. McLaren XPs are generally prototype cars used during the development phase of a particular model and are then taken back in-house by McLaren to be fully stripped and rebuilt to brand-new condition. XP01 was specified and first owned by McLaren’s Executive Director of Global Sales and Marketing at the time, as confirmed by a document within the history file, also confirming he specified it together with MSO, before it was purchased by our vendor, the 2nd owner from new.
Sennas typically came fully loaded with extras from McLaren however for that extra cherry on the cake you can give the car to MSO to further improve the car, and XP01 has certainly had its fair share of MSO fairy dust sprinkled on it. Due to the car being commissioned internally, there isn’t a price list for the MSO parts and options, however, the list is extensive. The full specification list is included below/ online. Some of the specification unique to this Senna are MSO Chicane Grey paint (a £9, 500 option), rarely seen MSO Bespoke Visual Carbon Fibre Roof Canopy & Snorkel (a £41, 333 option) making all gloss black areas gloss carbon fibre including T-Bar, door uppers, roof scoop, door hinges, fuel filler cap, MSO painted Senna helmets on the rear wing end planes, Memphis Red and Vega Blue centre-lock wheel nuts and a gloss carbon roof canopy amongst a plethora of other features. The interior is awash with MSO touches with Alcantara, MSO Push-to-Drink system, Bowers & Wilkins 7-speaker audio system, bespoke ‘SS’ logos embroidered in headrests, McLaren orange contrast stitching and MSO steering wheel with Alcantara and Orange trim.
XP01 has a full McLaren Service History with two major services undertaken by McLaren Manchester, with the most recent service in June 2024, costing nearly £10, 000 as it had new front and rear suspension accumulators to ensure the car remains in perfect order throughout. Interestingly XP01’s Pre-Delivery Inspection was stamped by McLaren Central which no other Senna we’re aware of has received. Within the service history, there is the Owner’s Handbook, Service and Warranty Guide book and bills/ invoices for work undertaken regarding servicing, a signed document from McLaren’s Executive Director of Global Sales and Marketing verifying the car’s identity and importance as VIN #0001. Additionally, there is a Senna car cover and a trickle charger with the car.
Both owners to date have sparingly and carefully enjoyed the car, ensuring it is serviced and maintained despite minimal usage, covering just 1, 030 miles at the time of consignment and the car benefits from a full body Paint Protection Film, ceramic coating and a meticulous detail to ensure it's in perfect condition for the sale.
The number ‘1’ is rightfully synonymous with the 3-time World Champion Ayrton Senna. He was undeniably one of the best and most iconic racing drivers to ever exist, so what better representation of the Senna than the very first example, VIN #0001. To name a car after Ayrton meant the bar was set unprecedentedly high, but it's fair to say McLaren executed their tribute with flying colours. An argument could be made to say the Senna is overkill with its development and push for speed, but is that not exactly encapsulating Ayrton Senna himself? The culmination of McLaren’s pursuit of perfection makes the Senna a surgeon’s knife with the force of Thor’s hammer.
MSO Additions:
Exterior:
MSO Chicane Effect Grey Paint
Satin Memphis Red & Satin Vega Blue Centre Lock Wheel Nuts
Bespoke Exterior Paint Detailing to include:
McLaren Orange Door and Rear Bumper Vanes
McLaren Orange Side of Service Panel
McLaren Orange Exterior Pinstripe detail to Service Panel, Roof and Rear Wing
McLaren Orange Perimeter Pack
Gloss Finish to Exterior Carbon Fibre
Gloss Carbon Fibre Roof Canopy
All standard Gloss Black Areas in Gloss Carbon Fibre to include T Bar, Door uppers, Roof Snorkel, Door Hinges, Fuel Filler Cap
Bespoke Rear Wing End Plates Gloss Carbon Fibre End Plates with Painted Senna Helmet
Exterior Door Lower Panel – Gorilla Glass
Rear Bulkhead Upper – Glass
Exhaust Heatshield – Dark Stealth
Ultra-Lightweight 9-Spoke Wheels
Wheel Finish – Dark Stealth
Tyres – Pirelli P ZERO TROFEO R
Interior:
Senna Seats in Regular Seat Size
McLaren Orange Contrast Stitch to Seat Pads
Bespoke Headrests Senna ‘SS’ Logo embroidered in Stone Grey
3-point seatbelt – McLaren Orange
6-point harness – Black
MSO Steering Wheel with McLaren Orange Alcantara Centre Band and McLaren Orange Contrast Stitch to Steering Wheel
Galvanic Grey finish to the interior
Bespoke key shells
x1 – VCF Gloss Key Shell with McLaren Orange pinstripe around the outer edge
x1- Chicane Effect key shell with McLaren Orange pinstripe
Bespoke dedication plaque – “XP01”
Branded Floor Mat set
MSO Sill Panel – MSO defined clear carbon fibre satin
Options:
Air Conditioning
Bowers & Wilkins 7 Speaker Audio System
McLaren Track Telemetry – App Only
Parking Sensors (front and rear)
Parking Sensors & Rear Parking Camera
Vehicle Tracking System
Warning Triangle & First Aid Kit
Battery Charger- Lithium Ion
MSO Push-to-Drink system
Full Specification:
8" touch screen
ADI navigation
Brake pad wear sensors front and rear
Cruise control + speed limiter
Eco start/ Stop system with deactivation switch
Folding driver display with slim display mode
Race mode button
Stop/ start button
2 keys with unlock / lock / open + mechanical key function
Alarm with tilt sensor
Electronic external door entry release button (both sides)
Electronic external door locking button (both sides)
Electronic immobiliser
Keyless entry and keyless start
Locking wheel nuts
Adaptive damping system
Dynamic stability control
Launch control
RaceActive Chassis control
Variable drift control (VDC)
4 rear piston forged aluminium calipers
6 front piston forged monobloc aluminium calipers
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Brake assist technology
Brake disc wipe technology
Carbon ceramic brakes
Driver and passenger airbags
Drivers knee airbag
Electronic parking brake
Fuel supply cut-off
Hill hold assist
McLaren orange brake callipers
Passenger knee airbag
Side airbags
Traction control
Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
2 USB ports
By McLaren Designer Alcantara upholstery
Carbon black Alcantara headlining
Composite door opening panel
Driver's side stowage in seat front pocket
Extended gear shift paddles - satin-finish visual carbon fibre
Front and rear structural floors
Interior bulkhead upper - satin-finish visual carbon fibre
Interior footwell lighting
Interior LED map lights with touch-sensitive operation x 2
Lightweight manual reach and rake adjust steering column
Machined from solid interior switches
Soft-close doors
Sun visors with driver and passenger vanity mirrors
Visible door gas struts - McLaren orange
Aluminium machined stocks
Automatic headlight levelling
Automatic LED daytime running lights
Automatic lights (in conjunction with rain-light sensor)
Carbon fibre exterior body panels
Carbon fibre monocage
Central high-mounted stop light (CHMSL)
Composite front crash beam integrated into bumper panel
Composite rear bumper beam including rear crash structure
Composite rear upper structure with integrated roll-cage
Composite windscreen surround
Dual front wipers with separate washer jets
Dual-function LED rear fog / reverse light
Electrically folding heated door mirrors (with dip in reverse functionality)
Elite Paint
Engine beautification - visible details through apertures
Exposed Engine Bay
Follow me home headlights
Front aluminium sub-frame
Front extruded aluminium crash structure
Full LED headlights with static adaptive functionality
Glass side window with McLaren F1 style half-height drop glass
LED rear lights
Lightweight thin glass windscreen
McLaren orange aero blades and fender
Rear aluminium engine frame
Rear reflectors and side markers
Rearview mirror
Sequential LED indicators
Twin-hinged McLaren F1-style carbon fibre dihedral doors
Interior brightwork - Zircon Brushed Aluminium
19" front 20" rear 9 spoke super ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels
