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Year of manufacture2020
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Car typeOther
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Lot number134
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Reference numberPA23_r0004
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ConditionUsed
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Location
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Exterior colourOrange
Description
- McLaren Special Operations’ tribute to a legendary Le Mans victory
- One of only 20 cars produced, and seven in Papaya Orange
- F1 GTR-inspired aesthetic combined with enhanced performance
- Just 43 kilometres on its odometer at the time of cataloguing
The 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans stood out not only for being the wettest-ever running of the race, but also for McLaren’s dominance, with four of its F1 GTR cars finishing in the top five places. What made that victory even more poignant was that it was McLaren’s maiden entry in the French endurance race—a phenomenal achievement that has become part of motorsport folklore.
In 2020, 25 years later, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) produced its own tribute to the winning cars in that race: the McLaren Senna LM. The hypercar was based around the standard Senna model, with components from the Senna GTR used to create an F1 GTR-inspired aesthetic, along with modifications to increase engine power. Just 20 Senna LMs were produced, and only seven were painted in the Papaya Orange of this example.
MSO’s attention to detail was painstaking. As well as fitting bespoke, vented front wings and making extensive use of gloss carbon fibre around the LM’s mirrors, nose, and rear diffuser, a unique “LM” script was etched into the carbon fibre weave of the rear wing’s side-tips. The standard Senna’s wheels were also replaced by F1 GTR-style five-spoke OZ Racing centre-lock rims, shod with Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo tyres. Other neat touches included the Senna LM’s high-mounted exhaust outlets, referencing the F1’s use of gold leaf as a heat reflector on top of the exhaust silencers. The gold leaf treatment also extended to the lining of the engine bay.
The Senna LM was not only defined by its appearance. Thanks to polishing and porting of its 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V-8 engine’s cylinder heads, power output increased to 814 brake horsepower—25 more than in the standard Senna. The transmission was unchanged, delivering drive to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. No performance figures were ever published for the Senna LM, though with the standard Senna model achieving 0 to 200 km/h in 6.8 seconds and romping to a top speed of 335 km/h, it remains one of the fastest production cars available today.
Inside, the Senna LM’s Papaya Orange theme continued in parts of the trim and lightweight carbon fibre seats, also extending to the steering wheel, running through the top-centre section of the rim. This example is a European-specification car built in left-hand drive and has covered only 43 kilometres at the time of cataloguing.
Fitting neatly between the standard Senna and track-only Senna GTR, the Senna LM offers all the visual drama of the competition model with none of its compromises, in a road car that pays homage to one of motorsport’s greatest victories.
Please note that this lot is subject to VAT on the full purchase price (both on the hammer price and commission).
Veuillez noter que ce lot est soumis à une TVA assise sur son prix d'achat total (prix d'adjudication + commission)
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa23.