A track-only version of their track-to-road car. This is confusing.
So when McLaren introduced the Senna, they said that it was the ultimate expression of track-car potency for the road, and that was that. We were inclined to believe them too – how else could one justify having apex-revealing doors, a stripped-bare cabin, and as little sound deadening as humanly possible?
So you can imagine our confusion when this week, McLaren revealed their Senna GTR, which is their road-to-track model of their track-to-road car. Okay…
By taking the track car back to the track, McLaren have removed the addendum from the 4.0-litre V8 that they added to make it road legal. So with an ECU remap and one catalyst removed, the motor now makes 18kW more power, rated at 607kW and an unchanged 800Nm of twist. Unlike the concept Senna GTR we saw last year, the exhausts now exit out the rear rather than out the side, as this setup reduces complexity & weight, and also saves the ankles of pit crew members attending to the vehicle.
But the big change by far is the aerodynamic enhancements, which themselves sit on a wider version of the Senna. In fact it’s 77mm wider in the front and 68mm wider at the rear, with the wheel arches taking up all of that gain. Interestingly, height has been reduced some 34mm, giving the Senna GTR a properly menacing stance.
Somehow McLaren has managed to save some 10kg of weight over the road car, despite adding a roll-cage, air-jacks, a pit-radio, fire extinguisher, and a data logger. And this is on top of the air conditioning, active aero, anti-lock brakes & ESC, pit-lane speed control, and anti-collision radar that it already carries. This is thanks to the removal of the airbags, infotainment system and audio setup, none of which you’ll need on a track anyway.
Despite the GTR being a track-only machine, it is not a GT3 racer. And because it doesn’t have to comply with GT3 regulations, it features larger 19-inch alloys with 285/650 Pirelli rubbers on the front and 325/705 ones at the rear, with enormous brakes hiding within. Should be able to stop on a dime, or maybe two if it’s wet.
McLaren will be building 75 Senna GTRs, all of which are spoken for. Makes you wonder who in their right mind would buy a £1.1-million road-illegal machine that they’ve never driven, and who among them is insane enough to let us have a go.
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