McLaren's Bold Leap: Stick-Shift V-8 Hypercar Concept Targets 2028
McLaren debuted its McL 6GT Concept at Monterey Car Week, a stick-shift V-8 hypercar set for 2028 production that pays homage to the legendary F1. This new model signifies a strategic revival for McLaren, intertwining its founder Bruce McLaren's unfulfilled dream with six decades of innovation after recent financial shifts.
McLaren made a significant impact at the annual Car Week in Monterey, California, with the unveiling of its McL 6GT Concept. This clean-lined concept car immediately stands out in the crowded supercar and hypercar market due to a defining feature: an honest-to-goodness manual transmission paired with V-8 internal combustion power. Far from being merely a design exercise, the McL 6GT previews a production model slated for release in 2028, promising buyers the opportunity to engage with their hypercar through a stick-shift gearbox, much like in the fabled McLaren F1.
The integration of a six-speed manual transmission is a deliberate strategic move by McLaren to differentiate itself from its rivals. This "stick tease" appeals to car enthusiasts of all ages and incomes, prompting interest in modern supercars that still offer a clutch pedal. According to the company, the McL 6GT is designed to blend "purity of character with lightweight carbon-fiber construction, V-8 internal combustion power, and for the first time in a McLaren since the legendary F1, an authentic manual transmission sending drive to the rear wheels." This emphasis on a tactile, engaging driving experience is a clear statement from the marque.
The unveiling of the McL 6GT marks the end of a quiet period for McLaren Automotive. After experiencing post-Covid financial and sales struggles, the company was acquired in April 2025 by Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings and subsequently integrated with the luxury EV startup Forseven. For the past 16 months, McLaren executives noted they had been reflecting on their strategies for vehicle production and customer service. With the McL 6GT, McLaren is initiating a new roadmap of models, signaling a renewed intent to celebrate and play up its rich history. Nick Collins, chief executive officer, stated that the company is "literally just getting started, and with the maverick spirit of Bruce [McLaren]," emphasizing the founder as a guiding light for future decisions.
The name McL 6GT is not arbitrary; it's a direct reinterpretation of another seminal McLaren. The reveal stage also featured the M6GT, Bruce McLaren’s personal car from the late 1960s. This original M6GT represented Bruce McLaren's ambitious vision to transform his M6A Can-Am racer into a roadgoing vehicle. Tragically, Bruce McLaren was killed in 1970 at the age of 32 while testing a McLaren M8D Can-Am car, and the M6GT project died with him. It would be another 22 years before McLaren successfully transitioned to street production with the iconic F1.
McLaren executives assert that the new McL 6GT realizes its founder’s unfulfilled dream, meticulously weaving in six subsequent decades of innovation. This includes the advanced woven carbon-fiber monocoque, a foundational element underpinning every modern McLaren vehicle. Kemal Curic, the brand’s new chief design officer, encapsulated this heritage-driven approach, stating, "In every case, we asked ourselves, ‘What would Bruce have done?’" The McL 6GT therefore stands as a testament to McLaren's past, present, and future, combining historical reverence with cutting-edge automotive engineering.