McLaren News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 13, 2026

The Best McLaren Sennas For Sale Right Now

In the world of rare and collectible supercars, few names carry significance quite like the McLaren Senna. It's McLaren's rolling homage to Ayrton Senna, the legendary Formula 1 driver whose name is synonymous with raw talent and relentless pursuit of speed. The Senna is all about showcasing the same top-tier performance demonstrated on the Formula 1 circuit, pushing the boundaries of what's possible on four wheels. The Senna's exterior is a masterclass in aerodynamics, designed to turn heads while slicing through the air like a knife. Every curve, vent, and wing is there for a reason, contributing to downforce and cooling without sacrificing an ounce of its stunning looks. It's like watching Ayrton dance around a rain-soaked Monaco circuit, pure poetry in motion. Inside, the Senna offers a cockpit that's all business. The minimalist design focuses on functionality, bringing the driver closer to the racing machine. Carbon fiber dominates its design, with perfectly placed controls that feel like an extension of your body. It's a space that respects the driver, designed for those who share Senna's passion for driving. Under the hood lies a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering an astonishing 789 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque to its rear wheels. The Senna accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, pushing you to explore the limits of your own bravery. The McLaren Senna is more of a tribute to a racing icon. Every aspect, from its track-inspired performance to its purposeful design, embodies the spirit of Ayrton Senna. Driving it is a visceral reminder of his legacy, a man who lived for the thrill of the race. In engineering the Senna, McLaren has created something truly special, a supercar that captures the essence of one of motorsport's greatest heroes. How much does the McLaren Senna cost? The McLaren Senna was released as an ultra-exclusive series for McLaren's most prominent clients and came with an $1 million MSRP. With all the available upgrades and customizable options from its MSO division, many of the Senna configurations to roll of the McLaren production line came fit with $1.2 million+ sticker prices. Is the McLaren Senna street legal? Yes, the McLaren Senna is street legal, making it the perfect choice for those who desire supercar excitement with the convenience of everyday use. For collectors looking to elevate their track experience, the Senna GTR offers an exclusive, track-only alternative, designed to maximize performance where road regulations don't apply. How many McLaren Sennas were made? McLaren proudly produced a limited edition of 500 Senna models, emphasizing its exclusivity and appeal. For its more track-optimized version, McLaren crafted 75 units of the Senna GTR, making it a rare gem in the automotive world. What's better, P1 or Senna? Choosing between the P1 and the Senna really depends on what you're after. The P1 is more about hybrid power and a balance of speed and comfort, while the Senna is all about raw track performance. If you want a wild, race-ready experience, go with the Senna. If you’re after something more versatile with insane speed, the P1 might be your pick. Is McLaren Senna a hypercar or supercar? The McLaren Senna is classified as a hypercar. Its extreme performance and track-focused design set it apart from typical supercars, putting it in the hypercar category. 2019 McLaren Senna View Listing 2020 McLaren Senna GTR View Listing 2019 McLaren Senna View Listing 2019 McLaren Senna View Listing 2019 McLaren Senna View Listing 2019 McLaren Senna View Listing Buy Searching for a McLaren Senna to buy? duPont REGISTRY has hundreds of McLarens for sale right now, including some of the rarest McLaren Sennas ever created. To view them all, click the button below to shop all McLaren Sennas for sale. Shop Best McLaren Sennas For Sale Sell Do you own a McLaren Senna and are interested in selling it? duPont REGISTRY is the number 1 source for private sellers to list and or sell their McLaren. Click the button below to view listing options. Learn How To Sell Your McLaren Senna

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 21, 2024

McLaren Honors Ayrton Senna With The New One-Off Senna Se...

McLaren honors a late racing legend. Ayrton Senna is one of the most revered names in motorsport. The late racing superstar won three Formula 1 World Championships during his illustrious, albeit tragically short career. His three championship titles were earned with the McLaren F1 team, including six victories at the legendary, renowned, and historic Monaco Grand Prix. Ahead of this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren has revealed special one-off liveries honoring Ayrton Senna, his home country of Brazil, and his incredible racing achievements with McLaren. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s McLaren MCL38 race cars will sport one-off Senna Sempre liveries at the Monaco Grand Prix this year, bearing the bold colors of Brazil. Also, McLaren has created a one-of-one version of its own Ultimate Series Senna hypercar, which is named after Ayrton Senna, with a special Senna Sempre livery. The McLaren Senna Sempre is a transformation of an existing pre-production McLaren Senna used for the Senna’s launch campaign and retained in McLaren’s heritage collection. The stunning bespoke paintwork depicts Senna’s face, beautifully vibrant color gradients, and incredible hand-painted details. Ayrton Senna’s impact on the motorsport world, Formula 1, and the history of the Monaco Grand Prix are undeniable and unforgettable, thanks to his incredible success and talent as a racing driver. Honoring that legacy over 30 years later at the Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren is celebrating its achievements with Ayrton Senna in the form of the new Senna Sempre and the one-off liveries its F1 cars will wear at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix. View All McLaren Sennas For Sale Image Source: McLaren

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 13, 2023

McLaren Houston Shows Off A Senna GTR With MSO Brazil Livery

This special McLaren Senna GTR honors its namesake’s home country.

By Gabriel Vega – February 08, 2023

Wrecked McLaren Senna Pops Up At Copart Auction

One of the best things YouTube has done for the car world over the last two decades is to provide access to often ultra-rare machines. Take the McLaren Senna, for example. With just 500 units produced during its run, it’s a track-focused car most of us will never get to see in person. However, with a few taps and some swipes, we can enjoy hours of video content on it and just about any super or hypercar that seems out of reach otherwise. Take The Hamilton Collection’s channel, for example. It focuses on showing the cars, modifications, buying/selling, and sometimes even crashes. That’s the case with the 2019 McLaren Senna that popped up at a Copart auction today. It’s the vehicle featured in the video above, and it received a nasty hit to its driver’s side door, severely damaging it and its carbon-fiber monocoque. Copart In a recent video, the Youtuber Steve Hamilton stated that due to the extensive monocoque damage and questionable long-term safety, even after a serious repair, he will let the car go. And so here we are today with Copart officially listing the car for an upcoming bid. It’s located in Chicago, IL, sitting in a warehouse without what’s left of the driver’s door. If you’re itching to get a slightly mangled Senna, Hamilton estimated that a vehicle in this condition is still worth somewhere around $300,000. However, given the extensive repairs needed, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a well over seven-figure cost to get this track toy back on the road. View All McLaren Sennas For Sale

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By Tyler Rampersaud – November 10, 2022

The McLaren Senna Sets A Street-Legal Production Car Lap ...

The Senna achieves a great feat in its namesake’s home country. More commonly known as the Interlagos track, the Autódromo José Carlos Pace is one of the most famous and challenging racing circuits in Brazil, and McLaren’s Senna has set the record as the fastest street-legal production car around the track. The record was set by Ricardo Mauricio, who was able to take on the near 2.7-mile course in just 1:37.856 during a UK Motors Academy Porto Seguros event, which was organized by McLaren’s Brazilian importer. MUST READ: The GearBox: McLaren Materials The car’s eponymous late and legendary F1 driver, Ayrton Senna, is Brazilian, so the achievement attains additional meaning and gravity as it was made in the home country of the man that it was named after, inspired by, and dedicated to. With just 500 units produced of the original McLaren Senna, the car is one of the most track-focused and uncompromising performance from McLaren, with its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 capable of 789 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. It gets from a standstill to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and climbs to a top speed of 208 mph. That power, as well as its lightweight design and advanced active aerodynamics, helped it take on the track with incredible speed in original condition to break the lap record for street-legal production cars on the track. In addition, the Senna also took on the incredibly-famous WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in just 1:27.62. View All McLaren Sennas For Sale Source: McLaren

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2021

Go For A Ride in a McLaren Senna Down Rodeo Drive

A jaunt through Beverly Hills in a hypercar. Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard are some of the most famous roads in the country, making them hotspots for owners of supercars to strut their rides. Marshall Goldman Beverly Hills took a $1.3 million McLaren Senna down the streets to show the world what it's like. Not only is it a treat to be able to see the Senna on the road, but the backdrop of these famous streets is also perfect. Granted, the Senna would most definitely be able to truly show itself off when on a track. Check out the video down below and be sure to click the button to see Marshall Goldman Beverly Hill's current inventory. View Inventory

By Edward Jones – April 28, 2021

Mecum Indy 2021: Midnight Purple McLaren Senna from Marsh...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - For sheer electrifying performance, this 2019 McLaren Senna is absolutely without peer, a completely bespoke automobile of uncanny capability. The Senna lives up to both its revered namesake and its lofty position as the crown jewel in McLaren’s Ultimate Series portfolio of exclusive hyper-performance automobiles. The Senna’s magic begins with its featherweight carbon fiber MonoCage III chassis, enveloped in carbon fiber body structures designed to optimize passive aerodynamics in concert with such active devices as the massive articulated rear wing and dual aeroblades within the front fenders that are designed to apply balancing front downforce as speeds climb. And climb they do; the Senna’s midmounted powerplant is an untethered wonder. Designated M840TR 90, it’s an all-aluminum DOHC 4.0L V-8 with dual twin-scroll turbochargers and dry-sump oiling delivering 789 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch SSG automatic transmission that together rocket the Senna to 60 MPH in a scant 2.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 211 MPH. Electrohydraulic rack-and-pinion steering, carbon ceramic disc brakes with forged monobloc 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, and an all-encompassing active suspension system are influenced by the driver’s choice of three powertrain modes affecting ride height and spring rates, braking and cornering, an astounding developmental breakthrough in driver/machine integration. More advanced technology is seen in the Senna’s twin-hinge dihedral doors, Gorilla Glass windows, Bowers and Wilkins seven-speaker audio system, front and rear parking sensors, back-up camera and McLaren track telemetry system. Presenting in impeccable as-new condition with just 186 miles, this 2019 McLaren Senna is loaded with special custom appointments and finishes courtesy of McLaren’s Special Operations department, where McLaren customers’ dreams are fulfilled. In this case, it’s a marriage of special one-off Midnight Purple paint with matching Mauvine Purple Visible Carbon Fiber (VCF) interior surfaces, Mauvine Blue brake calipers, satin-finish carbon fiber aeroblades and door sills, Carbon Black Alcantara steering wheel, Dark Stealth exhaust heat shield and 19- and 20-inch Matte Dark Stealth center-lock ultra-lightweight wheels with Midnight Purple centers. This is a truly remarkable machine of unmatched pedigree and performance. This McLaren Senna will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions' Indy 2021 event, which runs May 14-22. View Listing

By Edward Jones – March 16, 2021

One-of-a-Kind "Tiffany Blue" McLaren Senna for Sale

When it comes to McLaren Special Operations, there are no limitations. Their ability to create truly unique and personalized vehicles is quite extraordinary. Case in point, this 2019 McLaren Senna that's for sale at McLaren Newport Beach. Finished in a custom "Tiffany Blue" paint with satin carbon fiber and a matching interior, this Senna is unique, to say the least. Other features include the Gloss Black 9-Spoke wheels, painted calipers, 6-point harness in black, Bowers & Wilkins 7-Speaker audio system, Gorilla Glass for the upper doors and lower panel, and much more. It's currently listed for sale with a price of $1.399 million and just 921 miles on its odometer. If you're looking for a head-turner, this Senna is for you. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – March 05, 2021

McLaren Scientist Awarded 'Young Woman Engineer of the Year'

Ella Podmore spends her days pushing the boundaries of composites. Since 2016 she has been critical to the successes of the Elva, 765LT and the Artura, and this McLaren scientist has been awarded 'Young Woman Engineer of the Year' by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Her ongoing quest to make their cars lighter and stronger is also seen on the small scale, as she can be seen miniaturizing the Senna GTR for Lego. The IET judges were impressed by her dedication, charisma, and personality as it inspires more women to follow in her footsteps. “Huge congratulations to Ella from myself and everyone at McLaren. Ella’s passion for her work clearly shone through to the IET and the judges and it makes her such an inspiring ambassador for others who want to follow in her footsteps. “For a company like ours, diversity is vital to maintain and boost the innovation culture which helps us to challenge ourselves and come up with new solutions and technologies to enable and deliver the exciting products that our customers want.”Mandeep Dhatt, Executive Director of HR, McLaren Automotive Used McLaren For Sale Image (C) McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – February 11, 2021

McLaren Senna GTR Can-Am #3 of 3 For Sale

Undefeated is how the world remembers Bruce McLaren. Winning every race in the Canadian-American Challenge is how the 1969 season immortalized him and his team. To pay homage to their efforts, McLaren Special Operations built three examples of the Senna in exacting detail. They represent three examples of the McLaren M8D, a supercar ahead of its time. Being the last of this trio, Car #3 represents the full potential of MSO. They are the only street-legal McLaren Senna GTRs ever built, and cars #1 and #2 are at home in exquisite collections. Saving the best for last, this is the only car to have a hand-painted 50th-anniversary logo. It signifies how far the brand has evolved in a half-century. The carbon fiber body is covered in McLaren Orange and emblazoned with the Speedy Kiwi in prominent and hidden areas. Vinyl decals are ok for lesser machines, so the Kiwis and the Canadian Flag were also painted by hand. Zircon was used for the brightwork along with Liquid Silver in all the right places. Nothing was overlooked, as the exhaust, heat extractors, wheels, and even the gas pedal are unique to this car. Before leaving the factory they bestowed it with the 25 horsepower upgrade. Since then it has only accrued 44 miles, and Bruce would not approve of such a machine sitting idle. Perhaps for a perfect finishing touch, the rear spoiler has the same color scheme as the M8D, with etched Can-Am logos through the white endplates. View Price & Listing

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