The McLaren 788HS is an extreme, limited-run farewell

11th July 2026

Adam Wilkins

For only the third time, McLaren has deployed the HS name. Standing for ‘High Sport’, it’s reserved for the most extreme versions of series production McLarens, which makes the new 788HS one of the most extreme road cars the Woking manufacturer has ever produced.

The new McLaren 788HS is the ultimate iteration of the 720S line that later evolved into the 765LT and 750S. Previous High Sport models have been limited to the MP4-12C HS and the MSO HS, launched before the 720S made its debut in 2017.

The 788HS, then, ought to be something special to justify such a rarely used badge. The name denotes the 4.0-litre M840T twin-turbocharged V8’s power output in PS (equating to 579kW), and revs to 8,500rpm with peak power arriving 1,000rpm short of the redline. It has the highest power to weight ratio in McLaren’s supercar series.

It’s good for 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. The 788HS’s dynamic abilities are further enhanced by a lowered ride height (its 5mm lower than the 750S) and carbon ceramic brakes borrowed from the Senna. Ultra lightweight centre-lock forged wheels also appear on the spec sheet.

Significant bodywork revisions are the most apparent change. An all carbon fibre multi-zone splitter gives the car a more aggressive presence in the rear-view mirror of other drivers, and it works with an S-duct bonnet to boost downforce. Balancing things out are a high-rise active rear wing and a less-than-subtle diffuser. A new carbon fibre panel below the wing also enhances downforce as well as aiding cooling.

The result of the changes are an increase in downforce of ten per cent in comparison to the 765LT, but despite the track-happy appearance McLaren insists that the 788HS is a capable road car with the box for long-distance touring still ticked.

Inside, the 788HS has a carbon-fibre centre console, as well as a bespoke perforation design and a plaque to remind you that you’re in an HS. And that’s backed up aurally via a deeper sound at higher engine speeds from the quad-exit titanium exhaust and sound symposer set-up.

Every example built will feature McLaren Special Operations details, so they’ll all be bespoke. Furthermore, as the 788HS is the final iteration for the lineage that began with the 720S, only 200 will be built, half of them coupes, half of them spiders. As a send-off, this looks set to be a mighty fine machine.