Skip advert
Advertisement

McLaren Senna review - the ultimate track driving experience - Performance and 0-60 time

McLaren has taken a legendary name and produced what genuinely could become a legendary car

Performance and 0-60 time

With 659bhp/ton you won’t be surprised to hear that the Senna is fast. Just how fast is clearly betrayed by the numbers, with 62mph arriving in 2.8 seconds, 124mph in 6.8 seconds and 186mph after just 18.5 seconds, but in reality it doesn’t seem that much quicker than the already studenously rapid 720 S - perhaps additional performance becomes largely academic beyond a certain lofty point. In any case, the top speed is 211 mph, but such matters were hardly McLaren’s focus with this car.

There’s certainly a lot more noise and drama to the way it accelerates, thanks to the Senna’s minimalistic cabin, reduced sound proofing material and dorsal air intake, which really screams as the V8 is wound up to high rpms. Nevertheless, the engine still sounds essentially the same as all the 3.8-litre and 4-litre McLaren V8s do - that is to say, hard-edged, aggressive, but not exactly melodic. One new facet to its character is the vibration felt: McLaren have fitted more rigid engine mounts, and at certain revs the V8 sends a fizzing tremor down the driver’s spine.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best electric cars – these EVs deserve the attention of car enthusiasts
Best electric cars
Best cars

Best electric cars – these EVs deserve the attention of car enthusiasts

There's a huge variety of electric cars on sale in 2026, and we've picked the best of the breed for those looking for performance
3 Sep 2026
Hyundai i30 N (2017 - 2024) review – the bargain Civic Type R rival
Hyundai i30 N
In-depth reviews

Hyundai i30 N (2017 - 2024) review – the bargain Civic Type R rival

Hyundai knocked it out of the park at the first time of asking with the i30 N. It’s not perfect, it’s one of the most rounded and rewarding hot hatche…
4 Sep 2026
Volkswagen Group’s survival plan and how it got in such a mess
Volkswagen ID.3
Opinion

Volkswagen Group’s survival plan and how it got in such a mess

What was 2019’s largest carmaker is now cutting 100,000 jobs and 50 per cent of its models. How did it get here?
6 Sep 2026