AS soon as we start earning we’re told to buy bricks and mortar.
No one ever tells us to splurge on carbon and rubber instead.
But actually investing in the right supercar could set you up for life.
You don’t even have to buy it outright if you get in quick enough — as some oligarch will bite your hand off for an early build slot.
One prime brand is McLaren, where limited-run cars mature quicker than a Picasso attic find.
Take the McLaren P1 — £866,000 new in 2016, now fetching £1.6million.
Or the iconic McLaren F1 — £635,000 new in the mid-1990s and now changing hands for £10million-plus. K-e-r-c-h-i-n-g!
Even the 675LT Spider — £285,000 two years ago commands £340,000 today.
Now we have the McLaren Senna, named after arguably the greatest racing driver of all time: 500 road cars at £750,000 a pop, sold out immediately. And I’ve just spotted one on t’interweb for £1.3million.
That’s a £550,000 mark-up before it’s even been delivered.
I know what you’re thinking, “It’s all right saying all this, but who can afford the deposit for a McLaren?”.
Er, sell a child, remortgage, club together with mates, do what you must.
Legal disclaimer. All investments are a risk and can go up and down. But this one also goes round and round, very quickly.
So fast, in fact, it can lap Estoril — the Portuguese track where Ayrton Senna won his first F1 race — six seconds quicker than a McLaren 720S. And that’s a benchmark supercar.
How so?
Because this is an aero car. The first of a new breed. No compromise. Nothing for beauty. All science. McLaren motorsport DNA legalised for the road.
That piano-sized active rear wing — 1.83 metres wide and just 4.87kg — generates 500kg of downforce at 155mph. That’s a lot. It works simultaneously with active aero blades under the front headlights and the sculpted underbelly to suck it to the ground.
Straight line speed is mighty impressive: 0-62mph in 2.8secs and 0-124mph in 6.8, which is identical to the hybrid P1. Note: This isn’t a hybrid.
But the real magic is the near-supernatural cornering speed. Oh my days.
It takes a few laps to re-programme your brain, but once you start to trust the car, to trust the aero, you can come off the brakes earlier, carry that extra speed through the apex — and watch the lap times fall away.
You’ll go faster and faster again. Goosebumps guaranteed.
Also, the stability under braking is just unbelievable: 180mph down the start/finish straight, jump on the anchors at the 200-metre board, on road tyres, and not even a whiff of ABS. This is a GT3 race car with number plates.
Other observations. It howls like a McLaren should. Those see-through scissor doors are class.
As is the naked carbon fibre. As is the roof-mounted starter button. As is the fold-down driver’s display.
This McLaren had to be very, very special to carry the Senna name — and thankfully it is.
Brilliant car, even better investment.
Key facts: McLaren Senna
- Price: £750,000
- Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 800hp, 800Nm
- 0-62mph: 2.8secs
- 0-124mph: 6.8secs
- 0-186mph: 18.8 secs
- Top speed: 208mph
- 124mph-0: 100m
Next up, McLaren will reveal the 243mph three-seat hyper GT inspired by the original F1. Limited to just 106 cars at £1.6million each.
Fancy joining my syndicate to raise the deposit?
Damn. Sorry. We’re too late. The car is oversubscribed three times over.
MOST READ IN MOTORS
Word is my bond
WHEN I applied for this job I promised I’d never drive an Aston Martin dressed as you-know-who in a tux.
To this day, I’ve kept my word. But give me the key to this flying machine and I’ll be at Moss Bros in a shot. This is the Vision Volante, a “near future” three-seat air taxi with vertical take-off and landing and a hybrid electric powertrain.
It follows the Aston-designed submarine and powerboat – both of which are being built for real.
Q’s going to be out of a job at this rate.
Quick facts
- LEGO is cool. But a Lego James Bond DB5? Even cooler. In Lego stores now, £130, 1,290 pieces – including working ejector seat, revolving number plates, front wing machine-guns and wheel-mounted tyre shredders. Yes, please.
- HONDA might be on to something here. Detachable battery packs for electric motorbikes. Stop at a garage when you’re running low and swap for a fully-charged one. Trials start soon. It could work with cars too.
- A QUARTER of women BREATHE IN if driving through a tight space, says a poll. Others duck going under a bridge.
- BR17 NEY, 0055 EXY and UGL 135T are being auctioned at a DVLA sale this week. REV 111T also caught my eye.
- FORD has opened a dealership in a Next store in Manchester.
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