McLaren McL 6GT: Manual-Shift Supercar Returns in 2028

McLaren revives Bruce McLaren's M6GT dream with the McL 6GT

McLaren has quietly previewed a new halo car: the McL 6GT. Unveiled in prototype form during Monterey Car Week in California, this model is presented as a modern reinterpretation of Bruce McLaren’s long‑cherished M6GT concept from the 1970s. McLaren Special Operations (MSO) first showed the M6GT tribute at Goodwood only weeks earlier, and the McL 6GT now signals the brand’s intent to turn that retro inspiration into a limited-production supercar for 2028.

Design and materials: radical, purposeful, retro‑inspired

The McL 6GT is strikingly low and wide, especially at the nose. Both the monocoque and bodywork are carbon fiber — a clear reference to the M6A Can‑Am racer that inspired the original M6GT. The cabin rises subtly up front then tapers into a Kammback tail, a silhouette that blends 1970s race ethos with modern aerodynamic thinking.

Unique visual cues tie the car to its heritage. Highlights include the Racing Loop motif in the rear treatment, a tone-on-tone graphic nod to Bruce’s original number plate, and a three-dimensional Speedy Kiwi motif on the fuel cap. Even Bruce McLaren’s signature appears in the engine bay as a tribute to the marque’s founder.

Powertrain and driving experience

Under the skin sits an undisclosed V8 internal combustion engine driving the rear wheels, and for the first time since the iconic McLaren F1, the company has paired a true manual transmission to its engine. That analog decision marks a deliberate pivot back to driver engagement.

Front wheels are assisted by hydraulic steering, while the rear-wheel-drive layout and gated-style gearshift focus on tactile feedback and pure driving enjoyment. Inside, MSO has emphasized physical controls: knurled machined aluminium knobs, tactile switchgear, and a gearlever designed for feel and short throws. Digital displays are present, but they’ve been styled to echo the period instrumentation that inspired the project.

What makes the McL 6GT special?

The McL 6GT isn’t just a styling exercise. It represents McLaren’s willingness to expand beyond its core supercar lineup with exclusive, low-volume models that celebrate brand history while delivering modern performance and materials.

Key highlights:

• Carbon fiber monocoque and bodywork
• Undisclosed V8 internal combustion engine
• True manual transmission — first since the F1
• Rear-wheel drive with hydraulic front steering
• MSO-crafted interior with machined controls and retro-inspired digital displays

Positioning and market outlook

McLaren describes the McL 6GT as a preview of a production model arriving in 2028. Expect extremely limited volumes: MSO projects exclusivity and high personalization rather than broad market reach. The combination of a manual gearbox and V8 power will target purists and collectors who prize engagement over track-focused lap times.

This strategy follows a growing trend among premium manufacturers to offer boutique models — cars that appeal to emotional buying and heritage collectors rather than the technology-and-performance arms race of mainstream supercars.

First impressions and why enthusiasts should care

There’s something reassuring about a modern McLaren choosing analog controls in an increasingly digital world. The McL 6GT promises an experience that prioritizes sensation: the weight of a machined gearknob, the tactile detents of physical switches, and the mechanical connection of a manual gearbox.

Quotes and quick takeaways:

• “A contemporary take on a 1970s dream,” McLaren says of the McL 6GT.
• Production is planned for 2028, likely in very limited numbers.
• The car blends MSO bespoke craftsmanship with heritage styling cues.

Until McLaren releases technical specs or pricing, much remains intriguing speculation. But the McL 6GT stands out already as an emotionally driven, collector-focused supercar — one that reconnects the brand to its founder’s vision while bringing a rare manual transmission back into the McLaren lineup. We'll be watching closely as further details emerge ahead of the 2028 production run.