Being named after the legendary Formula 1 world champion Ayrton Senna guarantees the fearsome McLaren Senna rarified status. But it’s the car’s savage, rock-out-of-a-catapult performance and breathtaking capability, both on and off the racetrack, that heighten its near-mythical appeal.

Unveiled in 2017 with production set at 500 examples, the $960,000 Senna is a road-legal, super-lightweight track missile powered by a 789 hp, mid-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. It can run zero-to-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 211 mph. While we think the F1 still ranks as the ultimate McLaren, the Senna is certainly right behind it. H.W.