Next McLaren Senna to be open-cockpit speedster

McLaren is secretly developing a paired-back, extreme two-seat open-cockpit hypercar that will focus on delivering driving thrills.

According to

Claimed to have been designed for the 'pure pleasure' of road driving, the unnamed hypercar will still be high-tech and offer high levels of performance, but it will also be more fun and more 'emotional' than anything McLaren has ever made before.

Created to be a natural rival for cars like the ultra-limited Ferrari 812 Superfast-based Monza SP1 and SP2 speedster, according to a source speaking to the Brit mag the new hypercar's design will feature more flowing and elegant lines outside and within the open-air cockpit.

The McLaren speedster will get a pair of the brand's trademark dihedral butterfly doors.

Behind the wheel, instead of providing high levels of downforce, the speedster will offer greater driver feedback and what's been described as 'extremely' agile handling.

Both feedback and driver involvement have been crucial to the new McLaren speedster's gestation, hence the reason it will do without windows and a conventional screen to provide a greater connection between the driver and the environment.

It's set to be based on an adapted version of the same carbon-fibre monocoque used on the McLaren Senna, while under the bonnet, the track-focused Senna will donate its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8.

Doing without any electrification or hybrid tech to help appeal to purists, the McLaren speedster should produce around 600kW -- slightly more than the Senna's 588kW.

While it's almost certain to remain rear-wheel drive, the safe money is on the McLaren speedster getting the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Likely to weigh even less than the 1198kg Senna, the latest Ultimate Series model will easily be the lightest McLaren ever made.

With volume restricted to around 500 cars, expect a price of around £1.5 million ($A2.7m) – the same price Ferrari reportedly charged for the Monza SP1 and SP2.

Due on sale following the production of 106 Speedtails and the final run of Senna GTRs, the McLaren speedster is tipped for a global launch in late 2020.

It's not the first time McLaren has created an open-cockpit sports car.

Back in 2009, as part of its collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, it produced the ultra-limited Mercedes SLR McLaren Stirling Moss.

That car is unlikely to inspire the modern day version. Despite deleting such luxuries as a windscreen and a roof, the heavyweight Benz still tipped the scales at a hefty 1551kg.