McLaren has revealed the new 788HS, a limited-production supercar that serves as the final chapter in a lineage that began with the 720S and evolved through the 765LT and 750S. Wearing the coveted High Sport badge for only the third time in the company’s history, the 788HS is more than a more powerful derivative. It is McLaren’s ultimate expression of its Supercar Series, combining increased performance, sharper aerodynamics, and extensive personalisation before the platform bows out.
Production will be capped at just 200 examples worldwide, split equally between Coupe and Spider body styles. Every car will be tailored through McLaren Special Operations, allowing owners to create highly individual specifications while marking the end of one of the brand’s most celebrated model families.
At the heart of the 788HS sits McLaren’s familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged M840T V8, although it has been comprehensively reworked to produce 777 BHP and 81.6 kgm. Peak power arrives at 7,500 rpm, while the engine continues pulling hard to its 8,500 rpm red line. Thanks to a dry weight of just 1,265 kg, the new model boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 618 BHP per tonne, the highest ever achieved by any member of the 720S, 750S and 765LT family. Performance figures remain suitably staggering, with 0 to 100 kmph dispatched in 2.8 seconds, 0 to 200 kmph in 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 330 kmph.
The biggest changes, however, come in the way the 788HS cuts through the air. McLaren says it has developed the most advanced aerodynamic package ever fitted to this platform, generating 10% more downforce than the already aggressive 765LT. A completely new carbon fibre package includes a multi-zone front splitter, an S-Duct bonnet, a raised active rear spoiler and a Formula 1-inspired rear diffuser. Working together, these elements improve stability at high speed while maintaining the balance that has long defined McLaren’s road cars.
The lightweight philosophy extends well beyond the bodywork. Carbon fibre is used extensively throughout the car, from the new aerodynamic components to the centre console and various interior elements. Buyers can also specify a full Visual Carbon Fibre body in either gloss or satin finish, exposing virtually every exterior panel and showcasing the engineering beneath the surface.
Underneath, McLaren has revised the suspension to sharpen the driving experience further. The Proactive Chassis Control III linked-hydraulic suspension system receives bespoke calibration, while the front ride height has been lowered by 5 mm compared to the 750S. Adaptive dampers continue to feature, promising improved body control and more immediate responses whether on road or circuit.
Stopping power has also been upgraded. Carbon ceramic brake discs derived from the McLaren Senna work alongside six-piston forged aluminium front calipers and integrated brake cooling ducts to deliver more consistent performance during sustained high-speed driving. The 788HS also becomes the first model in this supercar series to feature a centre-lock wheel system, paired with newly developed lightweight forged alloy wheels.
McLaren has paid equal attention to driver engagement. A recalibrated engine mounting system promises a stronger connection between the driver and the twin-turbocharged V8 without compromising long-distance refinement. Meanwhile, a new quad-exit titanium exhaust system delivers a richer soundtrack, complemented by revised induction and exhaust symposer technology that amplifies the engine’s character throughout the rev range.
Inside, the cabin remains unmistakably McLaren but adopts a more focused approach. A steering column-mounted instrument binnacle, steering wheel-mounted powertrain and handling controls, McLaren Infotainment System II and the McLaren Control Launcher are all retained, while bespoke HS branding, a unique upholstery perforation pattern and a dedication plaque remind occupants they are driving one of the rarest modern McLarens.
The High Sport badge has only previously appeared on the MP4-12C HS and the MSO HS, making the 788HS an exclusive addition to a very short list. More importantly, it marks the conclusion of a platform that helped define McLaren’s modern supercar identity. Rather than simply ending production with a final special edition, the company has chosen to celebrate the 720S bloodline by building the most focused, most aerodynamic and most powerful version it has ever created.
