This Is the First McLaren Senna XP Built, and Now It’s up for Grabs
This six-year-old McLaren Senna XP supercar, with less than 47 miles on the odometer, is believed to be the very first Senna built, and is the initial Senna XP. The ultrarare example of automotive exotica is currently on the virtual auction block of SBX Cars—a division of the Supercar Blondie Group—and bidding will end January 30.
Finished in a striking livery of Victory Grey with McLaren Orange accents, which is further complemented by an Alcantara interior in Carbon Black, the car boasts the XP-90001 build plaque on the driver’s-side door jamb, evidence of its milestone makeup.
“Of the 500 McLaren Sennas built, there are only 10 Senna XPs in existence, and this is number one. It has to be the ultimate addition to any collection of iconic supercars,” says Ro Choy, CEO of SBX Cars.
Bidding for this 2019 McLaren Senna XP, which is available online through SBX Cars, will close on January 30.
Media Drum Images, courtesy of SBX Cars
Roger Ormisher, vice president of Communications for McLaren Cars Americas, explains that the marque has a tradition, going back to the fabled McLaren F1, of creating super-exclusive XP-series cars. Short for “Experimental Prototype,” these were used during the car’s development process for everything from testing in hot and cold weather to performance and emissions validation.
“After testing, XP cars went back to the factory for a complete, meticulous rebuild and upgrade to customer-spec, before being sold to VIP customers,” says Ormisher. “The work could include everything from a mechanical rebuild, to a repaint and new upholstery. They come out just like new.” Because of their prototype status, XP cars are highly collectible, highly desirable, and typically sold at a premium, according to Ormisher.
The track-focused, Alcantara-clad cockpit is presented in Carbon Black.
Media Drum Images, courtesy of SBX Cars
The listing from SBX cites that this Senna was sold to a German collector based in Hamburg in 2019, but it was only registered in January of 2023. Having spent its life mothballed in storage, the car shows only 75 kilometers (just less than 47 miles) on its digital odometer. In 2022, while the car was being moved inside a storage facility, the right rear fender and center-locking wheel were scraped. In full disclosure, SBX shows the slight damage on its listing. Seems the rim was replaced and the fender refinished at an authorized repair facility.
In addition to the extremely limited number of Senna XP examples, much of the model’s collectability is due to that Senna connection. Named after Ayrton Senna, the three-time Formula 1 world champion and McLaren driver, who died in 1994 at Italy’s Imola racetrack, the car pays tribute to his towering achievements.
Fit with a 789 hp, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, the McLaren Senna XP covers zero to 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds and tops out at 208 mph.
Media Drum Images, courtesy of SBX Cars
Announced in late 2017, the production Senna, with its $1 million price tag, debuted at the Geneva auto show the following year, by which time all 500 cars had been snapped up. The first actual customer car, with chassis No. 001, went to a British collector.
Like all Sennas built, the car on offer is powered by McLaren’s mid-mounted, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 packing 789 hp and 590 ft lbs of torque. Capable of launching from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds, the Senna XP can reach a top speed of 208 mph. Using the earlier McLaren 720’s core carbon-fiber structure and power train, together with the P1’s suspension and brakes, the Senna was designed as a limited-edition track car that was also legal on the road. And with a power-to-weight ratio of 678 hp per ton, and active aerodynamics, the Senna has razor-sharp responsiveness that, according to the marque, surpasses even the 986 hp, track-only McLaren P1 GTR for pure engagement.
This supercar is being offered with a reserve price, though no estimate has been given.
Media Drum Images, courtesy of SBX Cars
As with each of the 10 Senna XPs that were sold to customers, this one was lavishly equipped. Inside, it features carbon-shelled race seats, Senna-branded headrests, and a Senna dash badge. The SBX listing shows the car as being offered with a reserve price, though no estimate is given. Perhaps the closest price guides are the $1.25 million that a 2019 example—with 552 miles—fetched at Broad Arrow‘s Amelia Island auction last March, followed by another 2019 Senna—with 503 miles—which sold for $1.175 million in a Bring-a-Trailer auction last July. Neither car, however, was an XP.
“The Senna is one of the most exceptional, track-focused hypercars in history,” says Choy, who adds that the auction “provides a rare opportunity to acquire the most-coveted Senna and, arguably, one of the most coveted McLarens, of all time.”
Click here for more photos of this 2019 McLaren Senna XP.
This 2019 McLaren Senna XP is currently on the online-auction block through SBX Cars.
Media Drum Images, courtesy of SBX Cars
