McLaren’s McL 6GT is a glimpse into the marque's future, while the 788HS bows out with a bang.
McLaren’s McL 6GT previews a new generation of exclusive and bespoke offerings, while the 788HS delivers an uncompromised farewell to the acclaimed 720S series.
McLaren Automotive recently unveiled its latest McL 6GT concept at the prestigious 2026 Monterey Car Week, offering us a teaser of what lies ahead for the British supercar marque with a lightweight, manual and driver-focused ethos.
The McL 6GT joins a growing list of modern performance cars celebrating driving connection and design purity. Like Gordon Murray's T.50, Porsche's limited-run manual GT models and Ferrari's (slightly controversial) 12Cilindri Manuale, McLaren is putting the spotlight back on the H-patterns for the first time since the legendary McLaren F1, while paying homage to the M6GT road car.
A manual McLaren returns after 34 years.
With the McL 6GT, McLaren is preparing to expand its supercar range with more exclusive offerings beyond its core and expanded portfolio.
The concept features an “authentic manual transmission”, marking the first time McLaren has offered a manual gearbox since its debut road car, the F1, in 1992.
Rather than chasing outright performance figures, the McL 6GT puts driving connection front and centre.
Hydraulic steering, tactile switchgear and knurled machined aluminium controls contribute to the mechanical and analogue experience, whereas its heart is an all-new and engaging mid-mounted V8.
The gearshift assembly also receives special attention, with its design focused on feel and throw while incorporating a three-dimensional Speedy Kiwi motif within the upright.
A short view back to the past…
Earlier this year, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) was tasked with realising Bruce McLaren's original vision for a road-going supercar, the M6GT, with a one-off for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, meticulously recreating a period-correct rendition of Bruce’s blueprints which the 6GT draws inspiration from.
The new McL 6GT sits exceptionally low and wide, with clean bodywork flowing from a low nose towards a distinctive Kammback tail. The design harks back to the M6A Can-Am racer upon which the original M6GT road car was based.
Heritage details include Racing Loop motifs inspired by the original M6GT's tail-lights, Bruce McLaren's signature in the engine bay and the Speedy Kiwi etched into the fuel filler cap.
Modern McLaren ethos remains central to the concept, with a carbon-fibre body cocooning a fully-carbon lightweight monocoque.
McLaren states that the concept precedes a production model, which will arrive in 2028 as a halo model for the brand.
McLaren 788HS signals the end of 720S lineage.
While the McL 6GT points towards McLaren's future, the 788HS brings one of its most celebrated modern supercar series to a close.
The 788HS is the definitive and final evolution of the lineage that began with the 720S in 2017 before evolving through the 765LT and 750S.
Limited to just 200 examples globally, split equally between the Coupe and Spider variants, the 788HS carries the rare High Sport designation, having only previously been seen on the MP4-12C HS and the 675LT-based MSO HS.
Its 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 now produces a staggering power output of 788PS and 800Nm of torque, while a 1,265kg dry weight bestows the HS with an absurd power-to-weight ratio of 623PS per tonne, the highest achieved by any model in the 720S/750S/765LT series.
McLaren claims the 788HS will do a century sprint in 2.8 seconds, with a top speed of 330km/h.
An advanced carbon-fibre aerodynamic package includes a multi-zone front splitter, S-Duct bonnet, raised active rear spoiler and a Formula 1-inspired diffuser which helps to deliver 10 percent more downforce than the 765LT for sharper vehicle dynamics.
The 788HS also receives bespoke suspension tuning, carbon-ceramic brakes derived from the McLaren Senna and the first centre-lock wheel system fitted to this supercar series.
The McLaren 788HS is expected to land (fast) in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam next year.
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