McLaren is closing one of its most important modern supercar chapters with the new 788HS, a limited-run “High Sport” model that serves as the final evolution of the lineage that began with the 720S and continued through the 765LT and 750S. Revealed as the most focused expression of the platform yet, the 788HS blends more power, a lighter dry weight, more downforce, and deep McLaren Special Operations personalization into a sendoff aimed squarely at collectors and drivers who still crave a raw, high-response V8 supercar.
At the heart of the 788HS is McLaren’s familiar M840T 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, tuned here to produce 777 horsepower, or 788 PS, and 590 pound-feet of torque. That power arrives at 7,500 rpm, with the engine revving to 8,500 rpm and using lightweight forged pistons, twin-scroll turbochargers, and twin fuel pumps. With a dry weight of just 2,789 pounds, McLaren says the 788HS delivers a power-to-weight ratio of 614 horsepower per tonne, the highest of any model in this supercar series.
The numbers are exactly what you would expect from a final-form McLaren. The 788HS can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, hit 124 mph in 7.0 seconds, and continue on to a top speed of 205 mph. Those figures place it right in the sweet spot between road-focused supercar and track-day weapon, which has long been McLaren’s strongest territory. Rather than chasing hybrid complexity or four-digit horsepower, the 788HS appears to sharpen what this platform already did best: lightness, response, speed, and aero balance.
That aerodynamic package is one of the car’s biggest upgrades. Finished entirely in carbon fiber, it includes a multi-zone front splitter, an S-duct bonnet, a raised active rear spoiler, louvered under-wing panel, and a Formula 1-inspired rear diffuser. McLaren says the package increases downforce by 10 percent compared with the 765LT while maintaining the dynamic balance required for both road and track use. Coupe models can also be fitted with a gloss black roof scoop, and buyers can specify full Visual Carbon Fiber bodywork in gloss or satin finishes.
The chassis receives its own round of upgrades to match the extra aero and power. McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control III linked-hydraulic suspension gets bespoke tuning, while the front ride height sits 5 mm lower than the 750S for a more aggressive stance and sharper response. Braking comes from carbon ceramic discs derived from the McLaren Senna, paired with black six-piston forged aluminum monoblock front calipers and integrated cooling ducts for more consistent performance under hard use.
For the first time in this supercar series, McLaren is fitting a center-lock wheel system, paired with a new Super Lightweight Forged Alloy wheel design. It is a small but meaningful nod to the 788HS’s motorsport attitude, especially when combined with the lowered front end, carbon aero, and more purposeful brake package. A unique engine mount calibration is also part of the formula, designed to increase the connection between driver and powertrain without ruining the long-distance usability that has helped define McLaren’s Super Series cars.
Inside, the 788HS keeps the driver-first layout familiar but adds more focused details. A lightweight carbon-fiber center console, HS-specific branding, unique upholstery perforation, a dedication plaque, and steering wheel-mounted powertrain and handling controls all reinforce the sense that this is not just a dressed-up 750S. McLaren also revised the quad-exit titanium exhaust and sound symposer systems to give the V8 a richer startup character and more intensity as the revs climb.
Production will be limited to 200 vehicles globally, split evenly between Coupe and Spider variants, and every example will be made unique through McLaren Special Operations. That matters because the 788HS is not simply another limited-edition McLaren. It is the third model ever to wear the High Sport badge, following the MP4-12C HS and MSO HS, and it marks the end of a supercar family that helped redefine McLaren’s modern identity. As a final salute to the 720S, 765LT, and 750S era, the 788HS feels like the kind of focused, lightweight, twin-turbo V8 machine enthusiasts will be talking about long after this platform leaves the stage.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
