Tasked with picking any car on the market to be tuned, we might go with something like a Mazda MX-5 Miata or a Toyota Supra. Both have a solid chassis, are reliable, and feel as if they could easily handle more power. They're simple, pure sports cars that put the joy of driving first without any excess, making them ideal for some aftermarket work to increase their performance potential.
A car that wouldn't be as high on this list is the seven-figure McLaren Senna. After all, it's already one of McLaren's most focused super cars, with 780 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque enabling a vicious 2.8-second run to 62 mph. You wouldn't think it could possibly be enhanced, but Novitec doesn't agree. The refinement specialists have customized a range of exotics through the years, including models from Maserati and Lamborghini, and the Senna is next to get the treatment.
Novitec offers three tuning levels for the lightweight Senna, with the top offering raising outputs to an insane 889 horsepower (Novitec quotes the 902 PS/metric horsepower figure) and 655 lb-ft. Within this exclusive sphere of performance, seemingly minor improvements take on a whole new significance here. To that end, the 0-62 mph time drops by just a tenth of a second to 2.7 seconds, but there is a bigger improvement in the 0-124 mph time, which decreases from 6.8 to 6.5 seconds.
The improvements to the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 come courtesy of the Novitec N-Tronic module, which introduces revised mapping and changes to the electronic boost pressure control. Saving even more weight is a new, F1-derived Inconel exhaust system which the tuner claims allows the engine to breathe more freely, while also doing a better job of maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
It's telling that Novitec largely left the Senna's bodywork untouched, as any changes would almost be an affront to the extensive aerodynamic development that McLaren put into this car. However, new forged wheels are used. In collaboration with Vossen, they measure 20-/21-inches front/rear and feature a seven twin-spoke design. Owners can choose from an amazing selection of 72 colors before the wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero high-performance tires.
Finally, Novitec will create a bespoke interior to suit the exacting needs of owners, with a broad color palette and the best leather/Alcantara materials available. While the performance gains may seem marginal, the Novitec upgrade to the McLaren Senna is for the hardcore enthusiast that wants every last bit of performance squeezed out of their supercar. Plus, the bespoke interior will leave you with the ultimate McLaren that will prove just as desirable and exclusive in years to come.