McLaren launched the Senna in 2018, and given its sportiness, the name of the Brazilian driver, who died 30 years ago, was perfect. The model was powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 800bhp, which allowed it to go from 0-100 in 2.8 seconds and reach 335km/h. In other words, it was in the select group of the wildest supercars, as were the McLaren F1 and P1.
It was produced in a run of 500 units, with a further 70 units planned to be built, called GTR, and with an extra 25 hp. But the British brand pulled out of the hat the production of another 20 units which would eventually be called Senna LM (for Le Mans). Among its changes, an even more aggressive aesthetic, the result of an even more intense work to improve its aerodynamics, which is helped by a rear wing with multiple regulations, a huge rear diffuser and a ventilation intake on the roof.
845 hp and a gold-covered hood
It also included new OZ wheels, four satin gold-coloured exhaust outlets, a 24-carat gold interior bonnet cover (to better withstand the extremely high temperatures of the engine) and the obvious mechanical changes, which included modifications to the pistons to reach 845 hp.
In McLaren they knew that in 2019, when this now-revealed story took place, these 20 cars were already sold with just a few phone calls to their best customers around the world. But the surprise came when they made the first call to the United States. On the other end of the phone was a collector based in Florida, whose name has not been made public. After telling him about the new Senna LM and confirming that only five units would be destined for North America, the collector told them that he would take all five.
Passion… and reason
In this way, he ensured that no one else in that part of the world would have a car like his, unless they bought it years later on the second-hand market. Of course, the decision may have been more considered and not as visceral as it seems. The reason lies in the exclusivity and being heir to the philosophy of the McLaren F1, a model whose price has shot up extraordinarily. Just one example is enough to confirm this: almost two decades ago, a McLaren F1 could be bought for just over 1.5 million euros, while in 2021 a unit (albeit in its more exclusive LM variant) was sold for around 17.5 million euros. So it may be that rather than a capricious ‘hot-headedness’, his greed in ordering the five cars was more of an investment.
At the moment, the prices of the Senna have not yet become ‘impossible’ for many collectors around the world, not even in its LM variant. In fact, some of them will be able to make a nice ‘Christmas gift’ this January 5, as Car&Classic is going to auction a unit that a collector from the Netherlands bought in 2022 and has not even been used, as it only accumulates on the clock the 74 km with which it was delivered.
Forecasts of rise
And although the car may end up selling for slightly less than 2 million euros, when it cost just over one (excluding taxes) when it went on sale, its price may continue to rise and in a couple of decades the current selling price may seem a gift.
The American collector has also begun this ‘decompression’ phase and has already put the fourth unit of the five he was given up for sale, painted in McLaren’s typical Papaya Orange. It is not known how much he is asking for, as the price is only given to those who are really interested. But surely with its sale he will have already made a good deal.