Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato

 

The Sterrato is one of the coolest and most fascinating versions of the Lamborghini Huracan. It is also one of two fairly recent factory-built off-road sports cars/supercars, which are considered to be a rare and unique breed of vehicle, with the other one being the Porsche 911 Dakar. Lamborghini added the rugged Sterrato to the Huracan lineup for 2023, which will be the last version of the Huracan planned by Lamborghini. The Huracan's 5.2-liter V10 has been de-tuned to 602 horsepower from 630 in other Huracan models, while torque figures remain the same at 413 pound-feet. This is due to the Huracan's side-mounted air intakes being covered up to prevent dirt and dust from getting into the engine. The Sterrato launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and has its top speed limited to 160 mph since it is tuned for off-roading. Paired to its V10 is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sending power to all four wheels. In addition, the Sterrato contains a taller ride height of 6.4 inches, 1.7 inches over the not-as-rugged Huracan models, along with a central air intake on the back of the roof, a Rally mode, carbon-fiber wheel arch extensions, all-terrain tires, no active rear steering, front rally lights, underbody protection, and other features intended especially for traversing through dusty and sandy conditions. Its roof rails can support some overhead cargo but nothing too huge like a tent.

Inside, the Sterrato's interior is practically the same as other versions of the Huracan, however the Sterrato's infotainment system adds off-road-focused features such as an inclinometer, a pitch and roll indicator, a compass, and a steering angle repeater. The Sterrato will also receive an updated data recording system as well. Lamborghini will produce only 900 total units of the Huracan Sterrato for all markets, with pricing starting at $278,972 a pop. Its production run will last until Lamborghini ultimately ends production of all Huracan models and announce the Huracan's successor. The 2023 Exotics on Broadway Show in Monterey marked the fist time I ever saw a Huracan Sterrato in person. This show also featured a handful of other Huracan models as well, namely the base version, Evo, Performante, STO, and a street-legal Super Trofeo Evo, but those will be shown on this site at a later date. As of now, the only Huracan variant I have yet to see in person is the Technica, which is one of the more recent Huracan models and slots in between the Evo and STO in the Huracan hierarchy. Its off-road aspects may hinder its overall performance compared to other Lamborghinis, but the Huracan Sterrato is just plain awesome. Besides legitimate rally racers, very few vehicles like the Sterrato exist with its level of prowess and go-anywhere capability.

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McLaren Senna/GTR

 

The Senna is one of the most notable limited-production and Ultimate-Series McLaren models. Not only were five different examples present at this year's Exotics on Broadway show, these included two other versions in the Senna Can-Am Edition and track-only Senna GTR, the latter of which were somehow made road-legal. Named after Brazilian Formula 1 racing legend Ayrton Senna, the McLaren Senna was formally introduced in 2018 for the 2019 model year and is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 789 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It makes the sprint from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 208 mph. The Senna was the third addition to McLaren's Ultimate Series, following the F1 and the P1. Its design certainly isn't be the most beautiful, but it contains many functional and aerodynamic aspects.

Both the Senna GTR and Can-Am Edition each produce 814 horsepower, an increase of 25 horsepower over the base Senna. The Senna GTR adds a larger front splitter and rear diffuser, wider front and rear fenders, a different wing setup, and an upgraded suspension system over the base Senna, and generates up to around 2,204 pounds (1,000 kg) of downforce compared to the base Senna's 1,764 pounds (800 kg) of downforce. As for the Can-Am Edition, this special edition of the Senna was commissioned by McLaren Special Operations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of McLaren's incredible run during the 1969 Can-Am season and features a primarily orange livery based on that of the M8B race car. It also features unique five-spoke wheels with silver-dipped center locks, a quad-exhaust setup, silver side mirror caps, Can-Am badging on the sides of the rear wing, painted graphics of Bruce McLaren's signature, a race number in a white circle, and the Canadian flag, among other minor touch-ups.

McLaren produced a total of 500 Sennas, along with 3 Senna Can-Am Editions and 75 Senna GTRs. Roughly a handful of the 75 Senna GTRs have been converted for road use. With these five Sennas, I have now seen nine different McLaren Senna examples in person, including one Can-Am Edition and two GTRs. The Senna may not be my absolute favorite McLaren, but it is undeniably cool and more impressive than most 'mainstream' McLarens. In addition, the Senna GTR is an insane track toy, and seeing two street-legal examples up close on top of two standard Sennas and a unique special edition was completely unreal.

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McLaren Sabre (2021)

 

The Sabre is one of the rarest and most unique McLarens that not enough people are familiar with. It was introduced in 2020 in collaboration with McLaren Special Operations (MSO) and designed specifically for the U.S. market. Powering the Sabre is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 824 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It can launch from zero to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and accomplish a top speed of 218 mph. The Sabre remains one of the fastest and most powerful non-hybrid McLarens ever made. Underpinning the Sabre is the same carbon-fiber monocoque chassis as the Senna. It also features a similar interior to that of the Senna, except the Sabre offers more horsepower and a better, sleeker design.

McLaren built only 15 examples of the Sabre through 2021. Each example of the Sabre was priced at around $3.5 million when new and will only appreciate in value from there. This year's Exotics on Broadway show displayed two McLaren Sabres compared to one last year. The first example in mostly orange was present at last year's and this year's shows, while the second example in mostly bare carbon and purple was added to this year's show. This also means that I have only ever seen two McLaren Sabres in person thus far, making me part of an incredibly lucky crowd. Overall, the McLaren Sabre is an amazing and underrated supercar, and an all-around upgrade over the vehicle it is based on, the Senna. Out of all the McLarens showcased at this year's Exotics on Broadway, the two Sabres, two P1s, and Solus GT were the coolest and stood out to me the most.

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Ferrari LaFerrari/Aperta

 

The LaFerrari is the fifth and latest Ferrari halo car. Like the McLaren P1 from the previous post, this is also one of three hybrid hypercars from the early to mid 2010s that set the stage for more hybrid sports cars and supercars to come. It was introduced in 2013, with the open-top Aperta introduced in 2016 following the end of the fixed-roof LaFerrari's production run. This year's rendition of Exotics on Broadway in Monterey showcased one of each form of the road-going LaFerrari, marking my first time ever seeing a LaFerrari Aperta in the flesh, while only one fixed-roof LaFerrari was present at last year's show. Powering the LaFerrari is a 6.3-liter V12 mated to an electric motor producing a combined 950 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 218 mph. The LaFerrari features a Formula 1-derived HY-KERS system that boosts performance more than efficiency. Its tub and chassis are fully made of carbon fiber, and it was designed completely in-house and functionally. The LaFerrari's interior is swathed in carbon fiber, leather, and alcantara trim, with two seats bolstered to the carbon-fiber tub and a large, squared-off steering wheel containing Formula 1-inspired LED shift lights to indicate when to change gear. As for the LaFerrari Aperta, besides the removable canvas top, it adds improved powertrain control electronics, a longer front air dam for increased downforce, re-angled radiators to direct airflow out along the underbody, different door opening angles and wheel arches, and other minor changes over its fixed-roof variant.

Ferrari produced a total of 499 examples of the LaFerrari from 2013 to 2015, along with 210 LaFerrari Aperta roadsters from 2016 to 2018. Pricing for the LaFerrari began at $1.42 million when new and has appreciated up to around $4 million today. I have now seen four LaFerraris in person, specifically three coupes and one Aperta. Out of the three hybrid hypercars from the early to mid 2010s in the LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918 Spyder, I have seen the least amount of LaFerraris up close, even though there are 335 less P1s in existence than both road-going versions of the LaFerrari combined. On a side note, Ferrari also offered a track-only version of the LaFerrari known as the FXX K. In all, the LaFerrari is one of the coolest and most impressive modern Prancing Horses to date, and seeing one up close has become more of a special occasion than with many other exotic cars. In addition, I have developed a greater fascination and appreciation for the LaFerrari over time since its debut more than ten years ago, and it could still pass as a brand new vehicle today.

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2013-15 McLaren P1

 

The P1 is the spiritual successor to the legendary McLaren F1 and one of three vehicles along with the LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder to kick-start the hybrid hypercar revolution in the early 2010s. It entered production in 2013 and is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 paired to an electric motor with a combined 903 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, sending power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The P1 launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 217 mph. Notable features include a hydro-pneumatic suspension, electro-hydraulically assisted steering, a rear wing that extends up to 12 inches, and Formula 1-inspired instant power assist and kinetic energy recovery systems. The P1's interior consists of primarily alcantara, carbon fiber, and aluminum trim and contains a smartphone-sized center infotainment display and digital gauge clusters.

McLaren built 375 P1s between 2013 and 2015, with each one currently valued at around $2 million on the resale market. This year's edition of Exotics on Broadway in Monterey displayed two P1s compared to four P1s last year, bringing my total to nine P1 examples that I've seen up close thus far. In all, the McLaren P1 is one of my all-time favorite cars and one of the greatest McLaren road cars and British cars ever made alongside the F1 and Speedtail. In addition, the P1 is the most impressive of the three hybrid hypercars from the early to mid 2010s that revolutionized the car industry and remains a top highlight at any car show, showroom, or museum where one or more is present at.

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