Unveiled as the crowning achievement of the second-generation Super Series bloodline, the McLaren 788HS (High Sport) stands as the raw, pure-combustion finale to the legendary lineage that began with the 720S and evolved through the 765LT and 750S. While the automotive landscape pivots aggressively toward heavy hybridization, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) created the 788HS to be the ultimate lightweight track weapon free from electric assistance.
Production is strictly limited to just 200 examples globally, split evenly between 100 fixed-head Coupes and 100 open-top Spiders, with every single unit uniquely bespoke-tailored by MSO.
Technical Architecture | Pure Power, Track Aerodynamics
Instead of introducing entirely new platforms, the 788HS acts as a hyper-focused maximization of McLaren's highly celebrated V8 supercar foundations.
The M840T V8 Screamer: Powered by a heavily optimized 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-plane V8 engine, the 788HS generates 788 metric horsepower (777 hp) and 590 lb-ft of torque. It sends all power straight to the rear wheels via a 7-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG) featuring a shortened final drive ratio for lightning-fast acceleration.
F1-Derived Aerodynamics: The bodywork features a multi-zone carbon fiber front splitter, an integrated Formula 1-inspired nose S-Duct that funnels air smoothly over the cabin, and a heavily revised high-rise active rear wing. Working together with an intricate rear diffuser, the aero package yields a massive 10 percent increase in downforce over the track-focused 765LT.
Chassis and Braking Upgrades: The vehicle sits 5 mm lower than the standard 750S on a retuned Proactive Chassis Control III linked-hydraulic suspension. To bring the lightweight 2,789-pound dry frame to an instant stop, McLaren bolted on heavy-duty carbon-ceramic brake discs grabbed directly from the extreme McLaren Senna track car. For the first time in this specific chassis bloodline, it rolls out on lightweight, forged center-lock wheels.
McLaren 788HS vs McLaren W1 | Two Philosophies
While both cars showcase the bleeding edge of engineering out of Woking, they represent completely different philosophies. The 788HS is the absolute apex of McLaren's legacy analog supercar engineering, while the W1 is the dawn of its next-generation hybrid hypercar future.
| Feature | McLaren 788HS (Super Series Finale) | McLaren W1 (Next-Gen Hypercar) |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain Philosophy | Pure Internal Combustion | Parallel Plug-In Hybrid (MHP-8) |
| Engine | 4.0L Twin-Turbo M840T V8 | Ground-up 4.0L Twin-Turbo MHP-8 V8 + E-Module |
| Combined Power | 777 hp (788 PS) | 1,258 hp |
| Combined Torque | 590 lb-ft | 988 lb-ft |
| Dry Weight | 2,789 lbs | 3,084 lbs (Battery Penalty) |
| Transmission | 7-Speed SSG (Mechanical Reverse) | 8-Speed DCT (Electric Reverse Only) |
| Aerodynamic Profile | Track-focused Active Wing and S-Duct | Morphing Ground-Effect Active Long Tail |
| Peak Downforce | ~1,450 lbs | 2,205 lbs at 174 mph |
| Production Cap | 200 Units (100 Coupe / 100 Spider) | 399 Units (All Sold Out) |
| Base Price | ~$500,000+ | $2,100,000 |
Acoustic Rawness vs Hybrid Acceleration
The 788HS relies on a bespoke engine mount calibration designed to vibrate directly into the carbon chassis structure, ensuring the unfiltered roar of the pure V8 fills the cabin, uninhibited by electric humming. The W1, by contrast, uses its 342-horsepower electric motor to silently smooth out low-end turbo lag, creating a linear, hyper-smooth rocket ship style of acceleration that pulls with massive torque from zero RPM.
Standard Packaging vs Extreme Single-Seater Seating
Inside the cabin, the 788HS keeps the highly functional, daily-drivable ergonomics that made the 720S and 750S line famous, upgraded with lightweight carbon center consoles and customizable MSO racing buckets. The W1 forces you into an aggressive track-ready seating position, fixing the seating arrangement entirely to the carbon frame and tilting the footwell upward to carve out massive aerodynamic airflow channels through the underbody.
Mechanical Purity vs Electronic Morphing
The active aero on the 788HS functions similarly to classic supercars, deploying a raised rear flap to catch the air and balance out the nose under heavy braking. The W1 mechanically drops its entire ride height, alters its active heave suspension settings, and physically pushes the rear wing backward by nearly a foot on motor-driven tracks to entirely manipulate high-speed ground effects.
For the full comparison across the hypercar landscape, see the Cars hub and the McLaren W1 and Ferrari F80.