The 1993 McLaren-Cosworth MP4/8A is the most expensive McLaren ever sold, going for $4.96 million at auction. This is because it was the last car raced by legend Ayrton Senna before his tragic death and one of the most advanced F1 cars of its time, though plagued by poor reliability. Driven by Senna and Michael Andretti, chassis #6 of only six MP4/8A's built remains an iconic piece of McLaren's racing history.
McLaren is known for producing some of the most exotic, high-performance supercars in the world. But even among their impressive lineup of vehicles, there are some that stand out for their extreme rarity and price tags. These bespoke McLarens push the limits of automotive engineering and come with price tags in the multiple millions.
Top 10 Most Expensive Mclaren
#10. McLaren 720S Spider Le Mans
Kicking off the list is a special version of McLaren’s open-top 720S Spider made to commemorate the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Finished in a bright “Le Mans Blue” paint job featuring the #59 racing number, this 720S Spider is optimized for speed.
Upgrades include lighter weight carbon fiber bodywork and a tuned 4.0L twin-turbo V8 pumping out 710HP. The convertible two-seater can hit 60mph in just 2.8 seconds thanks to its power and low weight. Only 50 examples of this limited edition 720S Spider Le Mans model were produced, accounting for its multi-million dollar price.
#9. McLaren Elva MMSO
Next up is the McLaren Elva MSO, an open-cockpit speedster made in collaboration with the automaker’s bespoke MSO customization department. It has a futuristic design with the ability to hit 200mph thanks to its tuned 804HP 4.0L twin-turbo V8.
Lacking windshield and roof, drivers wear a special helmet with air deflectors to divert airflow. Ultra-lightweight construction and Formula 1-derived aerodynamics allow the Elva MSO to handle like it’s on rails while providing an unmatched open-air thrill ride. Only 149 will be built.
#8. McLaren Senna XP
The McLaren Senna XP is an experimental prototype used to develop the hardcore Senna hypercar. It was built without consideration for emissions or road use regulations.
That freedom allowed McLaren to coax 813HP from the mid-mounted twin-turbo V8. Combined with ultra-aggressive aerodynamics generating over 1,000kg of downforce, the Senna XP can achieve cornering forces of up to 3G.
Dynamic and unpredictable, this open-top red prototype helped set the foundations for the insane road-legal Senna. Its status as a piece of McLaren history makes this prototype incredibly valuable.
#7. McLaren Senna GTR2
Introduced in 2022, the McLaren Senna GTR2 is the latest take on the automaker’s track-focused GTR models. Benefitting from McLaren’s motorsports technology, the GTR2 has aggressive new aerodynamics and a tuned version of the Senna’s 4.0L twin-turbo V8 punching out 845HP.
Combined with huge grip from slick tires and race-spec suspension and brakes, it’s built to set blistering lap times. Top speed is limited to 205mph. Living up to its circuit racing intentions, the GTR2 isn’t street legal – but is allowed at track days for well-heeled enthusiasts.
#6. McLaren P1 LM
A street-legal version of McLaren’s Le Mans winning racing prototype from the 1990s, the P1 LM uses advanced aerodynamics and a hybrid twin-turbo V8 powertrain to achieve blistering performance.
Total output reaches a staggering 986HP, allowing 0-60mph acceleration in just 2.4 seconds. Riding lower than the standard P1 and featuring revised suspension and active aerodynamics, the P1 LM generates over 1,000kg of downforce at speed.
Combined with wider tires, its lateral grip exceeds the limits of other hypercars. With a top speed of 218 mph, it is one of the fastest road cars in existence.
#5. McLaren P1 GTR
A track-focused version of McLaren’s hybrid hypercar built for exclusive use on circuits, the P1 GTR dials everything up to 11. It runs the P1’s hybrid twin-turbo V8, but with all emission control equipment stripped out to increase power to 986HP.
The fixed rear wing grows taller, while front splitters and dive planes manage airflow. Racing slicks provide incredible grip, while specialized racing dampers allow tuning for any circuit.
Without road equipment, the P1 GTR weighs just 2,866 lbs – a full 1,000+ lbs less than the regular P1. The resulting performance is mind-bending, with lateral acceleration exceeding 2G in corners.
#4. McLaren Speedtail
The McLaren Speedtail hints at a high-speed future with unique streamlined bodywork enclosing a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain pushing 1,035HP. Shaped by hours of wind tunnel testing, the sleek Speedtail cuts through the air with a minimum of drag while achieving perfect equilibrium across all three axes at top speed.
To further increase high-speed stability, an active rear spoiler can subtly adjust downforce and ride height automatically adjusts.
Despite its spaceship looks, the Speedtail’s centrally-mounted driver seat and controls connect the pilot directly with the mechanics of speed. Homologated for road use, McLaren calls it the ultimate “Hyper-GT”.
#3. McLaren M16C
The M16C represents McLaren’s return to prototype endurance racing in the mid 1990s. Built to compete at Le Mans, it experimented with new racing technologies like a carbon fiber monocoque chassis mated to a turbocharged V8 pushing 600HP.
Advanced aerodynamics and slick tires allowed it to reach 230mph down the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans. While new to McLaren, the M16C traced its heritage back through the Porsche 956/962 that dominated 1980s Group C racing.
Today the M16C is valued both as a milestone in McLaren’s return to sports car racing as well as its lineage tracing back to the legendary Porsche 956.
#2. McLaren Solus GT
Launched in 2022, the track-only Solus GT represents McLaren’s ultimate distillation of speed combining characteristics from Formula 1, endurance racing prototypes and hypercars.
Built without consideration for emissions or noise regulations, its 5.2L V10 spins to 10,000 RPM while sending 840HP to the rear wheels. Yet it weighs just 2,205 lbs thanks to an extensive use of carbon fiber, titanium and high-strength alloys.
Massive downforce pins the Solus GT during cornering, allowing lateral acceleration of 2.5G – enough to drain blood from the driver’s brain. Capable of blistering lap times, only 25 Solus GT’s will be hand-built to customer order for use exclusively on racetracks around the world.
#1. McLaren-Cosworth Ford MP4/8A
The 1993 McLaren-Cosworth MP4/8A is not only the most expensive McLaren ever sold at auction. It also has a unique history as one of F1’s lost contenders – a brilliant car designed to win the driver’s championship that was undermined by poor luck and reliability.
Driven by icons Ayrton Senna and Michael Andretti, the MP4/8A used advanced electronics and aerodynamics paired to a 655HP Ford Cosworth V8. Despite flashes of brilliance, it was plagued by crashes and mechanical failures.
Yet for collectors the MP4/8A remains significant as the last McLaren driven by Senna before his death and one of the most advanced cars of its era. Of the six MP4/8A’s built, chassis #6 recently sold for nearly $5 million.