Unveiling the Beast: The McLaren Senna GTR

The McLaren Senna GTR was born to devour any track, producing more power and torque than the road-legal Senna.

The McLaren Senna GTR was engineered to be faster, lighter, and more powerful, with a racing-like design and accessibility for drivers at all skill levels. This model is also one of the most exclusive cars McLaren has ever made. With a total of 75 units globally – all sold out as soon as it was unveiled – the Senna GTR pays tribute to McLaren’s greatest driver ever, Ayrton Senna. Every last detail of the Senna GTR is dedicated to showcasing Ayrton Senna’s unparalleled driving talent, reflecting Ayrton’s relentless pursuit of excellence on the racetrack. Review the Senna GTR in detail, including performance, design, special features, and more.

Related: McLaren Senna Sempre Livery

Related: The Legacy of Ayrton Senna

Senna GTR aerodynamics

Key aerodynamic features of the Senna GTR include a large front splitter, rear diffuser, and extensive use of carbon fiber to enhance aerodynamic performance and downforce. Details below.

The Senna GTR features a larger front splitter than its road-car version, enhancing the vehicle’s front aerodynamic performance alongside active front aero blades. This model also has a wider track, resulting in larger front and rear fenders to accommodate the expanded width. Additionally, the outer skin of the doors is pushed towards the center of the car as much as possible to optimize airflow more effectively.

The McLaren Senna GTR achieves remarkable downforce, reaching over 2,205 pounds, which is a substantial enhancement compared to the 1,763 pounds of downforce generated by the road-legal McLaren Senna when traveling at 155 mph. Thus, according to McLaren, “a completely different downforce ‘curve’ means the McLaren Senna GTR can call on an equivalent amount of downforce to the McLaren Senna at 15 percent lower vehicle speed, while still benefitting from reduced drag.”

GTR active rear wing with air brake and drag reduction system [DRS]

The McLaren Senna GTR features active aerodynamics, including active aero blades flanking the Low Temperature Radiator and an articulated rear wing. The rear wing features an automatic drag reduction system (DRS), allowing it to be ‘stalled’ to maximize speed.

Related: Largest Senna gathering ever! McLaren Senna Celebration at COTA

McLaren Senna GRT performance: engine, top speed, hp, and powertrain

At its heart lies a formidable 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 engine, producing a staggering 814 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft of torque. This immense power propels the Senna GTR from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph, showcasing its blistering speed capabilities. Additionally, one of the key factors contributing to the Senna GTR’s exceptional performance is its lightweight construction. With a dry weight of only 2,619 pounds, the car achieves an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio of 694 bhp per ton. This lightness, combined with its aerodynamic enhancements and race-bred engineering, ensures that the Senna GTR delivers razor-sharp handling and incredible agility on the track. There are also three powertrain modes available for the Senna GTR: Wet, Track, and Race.

Specs

• 814 HP
• 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds
• 590 lb. -ft of torque
• lightest dry weight of 2,619 lbs
• power-to-weight ratio of 694 bhp-per ton
• 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged McLaren V8

Is the McLaren Senna GTR street legal?

No, the McLaren Senna GTR is not street legal. It is a track-only variant of the McLaren Senna, designed specifically for use on racing circuits. The GTR version features enhancements focused on maximizing performance, including increased downforce, reduced weight, and a more powerful engine, all of which contribute to its exceptional track capabilities but render it unsuitable for road use.

McLaren Senna GTR exterior

The Senna GTR is one of the lightest cars McLaren has ever produced. At the heart of this track-only hypercar lies the McLaren Monocage III-R central structure, a carbon-fiber safety cell featuring an integrated roll cage and unique harness mounting points. It includes an aluminum front subframe and an aluminum engine frame, with composite crash beams at both the front and rear. The carbon-composite body, with its extreme, racing-inspired design, appears more purposeful than ever, enveloping a chassis that is wider and sits 1.3 inches lower than the road-legal Senna, standing at just 47 inches tall. The front track has been increased by 3 inches to 68.2 inches, while the rear track is 2.7 inches wider, measuring 66.4 inches.

The windscreen and side windows, which include a sliding ticket opening, are made from polycarbonate. The soft-close dihedral doors feature a manual release mechanism, and the fuel filler has been upgraded to a race-style dump-churn type. The exterior carbon-fiber aero elements come with a standard gloss finish. Additionally, the door struts and brake calipers can be customized in Azura Blue, Red, or McLaren Orange at no extra cost.

Senna GTR wheels and tires

Similar to the road-legal Senna, the Senna GTR is equipped with 19-inch center-lock rims, but features a center-lock design. According to McLaren, “These Ultra-Lightweight forged alloy wheels are wider than GT3 regulations allow, measuring 10J at the front and 13J at the rear. The car is fitted with Pirelli slick tires, sized 285/650 at the front and 325/705 at the rear.” Wheel finishes are available in: Gloss Black, Race Silver, or Matt Dark Graphite.

The larger wheels accommodate even larger brakes than those on the McLaren 720S GT3, providing impressive stopping power. The Senna GTR features forged aluminum monobloc six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear, working on 15.4-inch layered carbon-ceramic discs with machined cooling vanes. Additionally, the Senna GTR has an air brake function on the rear wing designed to deliver 20 percent greater maximum deceleration on its slick tires.

McLaren Senna GTR interior

The Senna GTR is left-hand drive only. It features carbon-fiber FIA racing seats with a six-point FIA harness, and a passenger seat is available as a no-cost option. True to its track-only nature, the cabin is stripped down, omitting airbags, infotainment, and other driver aids. The interior showcases a satin finish on the carbon-fiber elements, with black carpet covering the sills—the only carpeting in the car—and Alcantara® headlining.

The driver screen features important data including a countdown of the closing distance of cars behind via an anti-collision radar system. Additionally, a center display shows the rear camera view for enhanced situational awareness. According to McLaren, the Senna GTR features pit-to-car radio and two onboard cameras: one forward-facing and one inside the cabin. It has on-off buttons for launch control, pit lane speed control, and a light rain dynamic setting. Similar to the road-legal Senna, the engine start button is conveniently mounted on the roof.

Ayrton Senna tribute

The McLaren Senna GTR stands as a powerful tribute to Ayrton Senna, celebrating the legendary driver’s extraordinary legacy in motorsport. This track-focused hypercar embodies Senna’s robust driving style and his unyielding drive to push the limits of performance. Every element of the Senna GTR, from its advanced aerodynamics to its lightweight construction and blistering speed, reflects the spirit of innovation and excellence that Ayrton Senna championed throughout his career.

By naming the McLaren Senna GTR after Ayrton, McLaren honors his memory and continues to inspire future generations of racing enthusiasts with the same passion and dedication that defined Ayrton Senna’s illustrious career.