Novitec faces something of a challenge when attempting to improve upon the McLaren Senna formula. Because how on earth do you make the Ultimate Series Senna look even madder and go even faster?
Undeterred, Novitec has given it a smash, and the car you see here is the result. Perhaps unsurprisingly, and unlike most Novitec conversions, this Senna looks quite a lot like the standard car; "the bodywork... with its active aerodynamics remains untouched" reads the press release. Not something you'd ever expect to read about a Novitec-modified car. It's not entirely standard, however, with Vossen wheels fitted here of 20-inch (front) and 21-inch (rear) diameter. The hyper keen amongst you will note that's an inch up on each axle compared to the OEM fitment; the tyres are also a fraction wider, too, with 255-section front and 325 section rears now.
But the exciting bit is what Novitec has extracted from the 4.0-litre twin turbo V8. With the most potent ECU rework of the injection, ignition and boost control, as well as an Inconel exhaust very similar to the Senna GTR's, Novitec is claiming the Senna is producing 902hp at 7,100rpm and 655lb ft at 6,300rpm. So 102hp over standard, in addition to an extra 65lb ft. That said, because in percentage terms the gains are not enormous over the 800hp/590lb original, performance improvements are modest: even over the 0-124mph sprint, this Novitec Senna is only three tenths ahead, at 6.5 seconds. Top speed is exactly the same, at 208mph. Novitec claims the update "fascinates with an even more rapid throttle response."
Some may naturally question the sense (or should that be sanity?) of a 900hp Senna, there must evidently be some demand - or Novitec would not have gone to the effort. Some people will always want more than the best, clearly, which is the niche Novitec seems very keen to fill. And, go on, admit it - you're more than a little curious about how this drives too, right?
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