Aryton Senna was a man of conviction, sheer will, and pure love for motorsports which has rightly placed him in the hearts of many who works worship the festival of speed. McLaren has also put his name into good use with arguably the most direct supercar from the Woking-based automaker. The 2021 McLaren Senna remains the same elusive limited-run supercar that was bestowed onto this world in 2019.
McLaren has been making better and better cars since its re-entry into the automobile scene with the McLaren MP4-12C in 2011. It sure has come a long way since then with a new GT division as well that plans to bring forth touring credentials in supercars. From the makers of the Iconic F1, a car of intensive caliber like the Senna is very much expected. And McLaren has delivered beautifully. For 2021 the Senna remains unchanged with the same hardcore setup that puts forth track-day experience in a road-going car.
Well, it is true at least for the base trim as the Senna GTR is an outrageous iteration that is confined only to the racetracks. Production is limited but we still are unclear of the total number of units that McLaren plans to produce in 2021 (500 is what it had been slated for the past years). This gives us ever the more reason to rejoice as the McLaren Special Operations bring out nostalgic and drool-worthy derivatives of the Senna. The latest one being the Iconic Gulf decal scheme.
The 2021 McLaren Senna remains the most direct road-legal supercar, built for the track. Packing a 789hp 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8, this 'alien' does 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds!
Pricing And Release Date
This insanely aero-centric McLaren remains unchanged for 2021 as well. And rightfully has remained untouched by changes since its inception in 2019. This monstrosity still scares the bejeebers out of you with the level of track-focused performance it offers, for the road! The base road-going 2021 McLaren Senna is priced at $1,oo0,000 which is clearly a lot of zeros but is well worth the drama it unfolds.
The other end of this spectrum is the track-only Senna GTR that is the definition of insanity. The GTR is so loud, that it is destined to bleed your ears. The Senna is so track-focused that it is too complicated and overengineered for standard motorsports events around the world. All of these facts go truly well with McLaren's claim of the Senna being an ode to the legendary race-driver and the rawest car made by them to date.
Packs A 789 hp V8 That Screams Across 7,000 Rpm
A monstrosity of this caliber truly deserves an engine that will send shivers down your spine. The 2021 McLaren Senna is backed by a 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 motor that pumps out 789 hp and 590 lb-ft. This is the same engine that is used on the McLaren 720S and 765lT, but in a completely different state of tune. It is coupled to a 7-Speed Automated manual gearbox that makes you want to just keep shifting.
The shifts and blisteringly fast and does justice to the dilated pupils that you will experience. There are no changes in the engine department for 2021 and we can't be happier. Another bonkers fact is that all of the power is sent to the rear wheels ONLY. Yes, you clearly need all of the courage that you can cater to, to drive this beast even on a racetrack.
McLaren Senna Does 0-60 Mph in 2.7 seconds, And It Barely Flexes
The 2021 McLaren Senna does 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. But that is the least shocking fact about this car. The way aerodynamics has been optimized on the Senna will leave you dumbstruck. All of those vents and the out-of-place rear spoiler bundle up to be a mixed bag when it comes to aesthetics but be assured that all of those bold cuts and vents are there for a definitive purpose.
The road-going model is also equipped with a race mode that lowers the suspension by 1.5 inches at the front and 1.2 at the rear for a more glued-down experience. All of these gizmos provide the Senna with a top speed of 211 mph for the road and an even more heightened figure for the track-spec GTR.
A Minimal Interior That Is All About Function Over Form
McLaren has always stuck to providing functional and simple interior packages for its offerings. The Senna is functionally cool and looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. The cockpit is driver-centric and has a vertically mounted infotainment screen that is pretty straight forward. The carbon-tub cabin houses two carbon-fiber bucket seats that are very serious about keeping you tucked at all times. Luxury has not been compromised in this race-spec interior as you get a combination of leather, Alcantara, and aluminum.
Everything About The Exterior Is Outrageously Cool
Despite being over 3 years old, the design language of the Senna is way more futuristic, complicated, and outright functional than any other supercar out there. The whole body is carbon-fiber and vents, a lot of them. It shares vague design cues with the likes of the 570S but is clearly dialed up to insanity here. A wide front diffuser and massive air intakes gulp in as much air as possible and the massive rear wing (still a debatable design cue) looks cool and outrageously cool.
The Mental McLaren Senna GTR Is Too Advanced For Race Events
The 2021 McLaren Senna GTR is the actual iteration of the Senna that does true justice to what Arton Senna is currently known for. It is unapologetic, brutal, and downright made for blistering fast lap times. In fact, the car is so overengineered that it is unsuitable to take part in the larger bunch of motorsports events around the world. t pumps out 25 additional horses and packs more aggressive aero.
Sources: Cars.McLaren.com, Caranddriver.com, Automobilemag.com, Techcrunch.com