Unveiled at Monterey Car Week, the McLaren McL 6GT Concept is a production-bound supercar arriving in 2028 that revives Bruce McLaren’s original 1960s road car vision with an authentic manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and a carbon-fiber monocoque, according to official company announcements.
McLaren McL 6GT Concept Revealed at Monterey Car Week
When McLaren displayed its restored M6GT at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, observers viewed it as a simple heritage exercise honoring founder Bruce McLaren. According to company disclosures, Woking was actually priming the market for a brand-new supercar built in that exact image. Revealed during Monterey Car Week, the McL 6GT Concept marks a stark departure from McLaren’s modern playbook by introducing a three-pedal manual gearbox.
According to MotorTrend reporting, the vehicle arrives on the heels of McLaren’s April 2025 acquisition by Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings and its integration with luxury EV startup Forseven. Chief executive officer Nick Collins stated that the brand is leaning back into the maverick spirit of its New Zealand-born founder. Kemal Curic, the brand’s new chief design officer, noted that developers continually asked themselves what Bruce McLaren would have done.
An Authentic Manual Transmission and Analogue Focus
The defining mechanical feature of the McL 6GT is its six-speed manual transmission sending drive to the rear wheels. According to McLaren, it marks the first three-pedal setup in a production McLaren since the iconic F1. Industry observers view the stick-shift inclusion as a direct jab at competitors like the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale.
McLaren confirmed that the production version due in 2028 will rely on V8 internal combustion power, though executives have not clarified whether the engine will be a brand-new design or a variant of the evergreen M840T found in the 788HS. To preserve an unapologetically analogue driving experience, the vehicle features hydraulic steering, physical switchgear, and a lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque paired with carbon-fiber bodywork, according to company statements.
Timeless Design and Heritage Interior Details
The exterior styling of the 6GT rejects contemporary industry trends favoring gigantic diffusers and aggressive active aerodynamics. According to design disclosures, the car features a low nose, oversized headlights, broad shoulders, and a generous glasshouse reminiscent of classic endurance racers. The side profile incorporates a steeply raked screen, low intake pods tucked into the sills, and a sawn-off Kamm tail bearing visual similarities to the GMA T.33 and Jaguar XJ220.
Subtle heritage details adorn the exterior, including Bruce McLaren’s original M6GT registration plate, OBH 500H, set discretely into the carbon beneath the badge. Inside, the cabin utilizes boxed quilting, exposed gloss carbon, and knurled aluminium switchgear. Breaking from modern supercar norms, the transmission tunnel directly exposes the linkage beneath the gearlever, which features a three-dimensional Speedy Kiwi set within its upright.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the McLaren McL 6GT enter production?
According to McLaren, the production version of the McL 6GT is scheduled to arrive in 2028 as the foundation for a new, highly exclusive supercar tier positioned above the existing lineup.
Does the McL 6GT feature a manual transmission?
Yes. According to company specifications, the McL 6GT features an authentic six-speed manual transmission, making it the first three-pedal production McLaren since the legendary F1.
What powers the McLaren McL 6GT?
McLaren has confirmed that the vehicle will use a V8 internal combustion engine paired with rear-wheel drive, though final specifications regarding whether the engine is entirely new have not been finalized.
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