Every great story deserves a fitting ending. The McLaren F1 had one with the GTR. The P1 had one with the P1 GTR. And now, after almost a decade of redefining what a modern supercar should be, the 720S family has its final chapter. Meet the new McLaren 788HS.
This isn’t simply a faster 750S. Nor is it a replacement for the legendary 765LT. Instead, the 788HS brings together everything McLaren has learned from the 720S, 765LT, and 750S into one ultimate road-going package. Think of it as the greatest hits album, except every song has been remastered, turned up to eleven and wrapped in carbon fibre.
Limited to just 200 examples worldwide, the 788HS is only the third McLaren ever to wear the prestigious High Sport (HS) badge. It arrives with more power, more downforce, more exclusivity and the highest power-to-weight ratio this platform has ever achieved.
Interestingly, the reveal comes just a day after we looked back at another important chapter in McLaren history with the restoration of the legendary M6 GT. While that story celebrated where McLaren’s road car ambitions began, the 788HS shows just how far the brand has come.
Why The 720S Family Is One Of McLaren’s Greatest Success Stories
Before diving into the numbers, it’s worth appreciating why this car matters. When the 720S debuted in 2017, it didn’t simply replace the 650S. It completely reset expectations for the supercar segment.
Its combination of astonishing performance, hydraulic suspension, and lightweight engineering made it one of the most complete supercars on sale. It won awards around the world and quickly became the benchmark rivals had to chase. Then came the 765LT, which dialed everything up with more power, less weight, and sharper dynamics.
Later, McLaren refined the formula even further with the 750S, improving almost every aspect of the original package without compromising its usability.
Now, after almost a decade of evolution, the 788HS closes the curtain on one of McLaren’s most celebrated model families before the company enters its next era of products.
What Would You Pick
McLaren 788HS
McLaren 720S
McLaren 765LT
McLaren 750S
McLaren 788HS Specs & Performance
Powering the McLaren 788HS is a heavily evolved version of McLaren’s familiar M840T 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. Its headline figures and key features are suitably dramatic.
- 777hp at 7,500rpm
- 800Nm at 5,500rpm
- 8,500rpm redline
- Lightweight forged pistons
- Ultra-low inertia twin-scroll turbochargers
- Twin fuel pumps
Combined with a remarkably low 1,265kg dry weight, the result is a staggering 614hp per tonne, making this the most power-dense member of the entire 720S, 765LT and 750S family. The 777hp translates to 788PS, and now you know why the car is named so.
Performance remains super impressive:
- 0-100km/h: 2.8 seconds
- 0-200km/h: 7.0 seconds
- Top speed: 330km/h
While those acceleration figures closely mirror the already outrageous 765LT, McLaren explains that outright straight-line speed wasn’t the primary objective. Instead, engineers focused on delivering a car that feels more engaging, more confidence-inspiring, and ultimately faster across an entire lap.
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What Are The Aerodynamics Like?
The McLaren 788HS has the most advanced aerodynamic package ever fitted to this platform. One glance at the 788HS makes it clear this isn’t simply a power upgrade. Nearly every visible aerodynamic surface has been redesigned. The biggest changes include:
- Multi-zone carbon fibre front splitter
- New S-Duct bonnet
- Raised active rear spoiler
- Formula 1-inspired rear diffuser
- Louvred under-wing panel
- Enlarged cooling ducts
- Roof scoop on Coupe models
Together, these components generate 10% more downforce than the already hardcore 765LT. That may not sound like a massive leap on paper, but considering the 765LT already sits near the top of the road-car downforce hierarchy, finding another ten percent without upsetting balance is no small engineering achievement.
McLaren says every component was designed to improve stability, cooling, and aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining the predictable handling characteristics that made the platform famous. And yes, if your pockets are deep enough, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will happily clad the entire exterior in exposed visual carbon fibre.
Sharper Chassis Inspired By McLaren’s Greatest Track Cars
The 788HS uses Proactive Chassis Control III, McLaren’s linked hydraulic suspension system, but with bespoke calibration developed specifically for this model. Changes include:
- Front ride height lowered by 5mm over the 750S
- Revised adaptive damper tuning
- Improved body control
- Sharper steering response
- Greater cornering precision
Stopping performance also receives a substantial upgrade. The car adopts carbon ceramic brake discs derived from the McLaren Senna, paired with six-piston forged aluminium monoblock front calipers and dedicated cooling ducts for improved consistency during repeated high-speed driving.
Another first for this platform is the adoption of centre-lock forged alloy wheels, reducing unsprung weight while making every wheel change look like a Formula 1 pit stop.
More Sound, More Theatre, More Driver Engagement
The 788HS receives:
- Quad-outlet titanium exhaust
- Revised induction sound symposer
- Revised exhaust sound symposer
- Unique engine mount calibration
The result is a richer, more aggressive soundtrack throughout the rev range and a stronger mechanical connection between driver and powertrain without sacrificing grand touring usability.
A Driver-Focused Cabin With Bespoke HS Details
Inside, the philosophy remains familiar: reduce distractions, reduce weight, and keep the driver at the centre of everything. Highlights include:
- Lightweight carbon fibre centre console
- Steering-column mounted instrument cluster
- Steering wheel-mounted Powertrain and Handling controls
- McLaren Infotainment System II
- McLaren Control Launcher (MCL)
- Bespoke HS upholstery perforation pattern
- Dedicated HS plaque
- Extensive carbon fibre trim
Rather than introducing flashy new screens or gimmicks, McLaren has refined an interior that already prioritised driving above all else.
Limited Production: Only 200 Units To Be Built
Exclusivity is a major part of the 788HS story. Production is limited to just 200 cars globally, split equally between 100 Coupes, and 100 Spiders. Every single example will be individually commissioned through McLaren Special Operations (MSO), allowing buyers to create effectively one-off specs.
The High Sport badge itself is exceptionally rare. Before the 788HS, it had appeared on only two production McLarens:
- MP4-12C HS (2012)
- MSO HS (2016)
That alone makes the 788HS a significant collector’s car even before a single customer has even taken delivery.
One Era Ends, Another Begins
The 788HS feels symbolic in more ways than one. It closes the book on the platform that began life as the 720S back in 2017, a car that transformed McLaren’s reputation and became one of the defining supercars of its generation.
The timing is equally significant. McLaren is entering a new chapter with fresh investment, new products and an evolving lineup expected to introduce more hybrid technology and entirely new vehicle segments.
That makes the 788HS something increasingly rare: a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, twin-turbo V8 supercar developed with one singular purpose: delivering the purest possible driving experience. If this really is the final word on the 720S lineage, McLaren has ensured it signs off in spectacular fashion.
