McLaren has revealed the new McL 6GT as a highly exclusive tribute to its first road car, marking a significant shift for the British automaker. It also stands as the first model from the brand with a manual gearbox since the legendary F1. Shown as a concept in near-production-ready form at Monterey Car Week in California, the McL 6GT will go on sale in 2028. It serves as a spiritual successor to the M6GT, the only road car built by company founder Bruce McLaren.
The production car will be the first of a new line of limited-run models separate from the core McLaren line-up. It carries a different focus from extreme, highly performant Ultimate Series models like the Speedtail and W1. “It is presented as an unmistakable signal of how the maverick spirit within McLaren can inform a future-facing approach to McLaren cars that will captivate with character,” the company stated.
By prioritizing character over outright speed statistics, the manufacturer appears to be testing the waters for a new kind of luxury customer. This strategy relies on the assumption that wealthy collectors will pay a premium for mechanical simplicity and heritage in an era defined by digital complexity.
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With a completely new design approach compared to any of McLaren’s current models, the 6GT is a 1960s-inspired, lightweight, carbon-bodied supercar. It features a V8 driving the back axle through a six-speed manual gearbox. This setup represents Woking’s first manual transmission in more than three decades.
Design Elements and Heritage
In silhouette, the car nods to the M6A Can-Am racer. That vehicle was instrumental in putting McLaren on the global motorsport map and provided the basis for the original M6GT. McLaren highlights the clean, low-drag surfacing and distinctive Kamm tail acting as features influenced by its forebear.
There are subtle nods to Bruce McLaren included throughout. His signature appears in the engine bay. The original ‘Speedy Kiwi’ company logo is etched into the filler cap. The company remains tight-lipped on technical specifics. However, the McL 6GT is thought to be at least partly based on the outgoing 750S supercar.
The 750S weighs less than 1400kg. It achieves 0-62mph in 2.8sec. It tops out at 206mph. These figures serve as a baseline for what the new GT might be capable of, though the final numbers could differ due to the different transmission and tuning goals.
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Reimagining the Driving Experience
Rather than bidding for performance supremacy, the focus of the 6GT is to “celebrate a form of driving connection that is increasingly rare: tactile, analogue and deeply mechanical,” McLaren said. The company added that every shift, throttle movement, and steering input is intended to feel deliberate, physical, and rewarding. This approach is evident in not just the fitment of a manual gearbox but also in the use of “tactile” switchgear.
Visible engineering details and, in true McLaren fashion, hydraulic steering are also key components. Such features are becoming increasingly uncommon as manufacturers switch to electric power steering and automated systems. While a limited-production car, the 6GT is the first new McLaren model line revealed since the company merged with start-up Forseven last spring.
They pledged to substantially renew and expand their model line-up. This promised range of collector-friendly supercars in the vein of the 6GT will play a key role in this reinvention. The company has yet to shed any firm light on future mass-produced cars. These vehicles are thought to include sports cars, SUVs, and possibly even saloons. More details are expected in the coming months.