Every great performance car eventually reaches the end of its story.
For McLaren, that story began in 2017 with the groundbreaking 720S. It evolved into the harder-edged 765LT before maturing into the 750S, each iteration pushing the company’s Super Series platform a little further than anyone thought possible.
So how do you close the book on one of the most celebrated McLaren lineages ever built?
With one final chapter.
Meet the McLaren 788HS, the definitive evolution of the 720S family and only the third car in the company’s history to wear the coveted High Sport (HS) badge.
Limited to just 200 examples worldwide, the 788HS has been created as both a celebration of everything the Super Series achieved and a farewell to a platform that has defined McLaren’s modern era.
The Ultimate Expression Of The Super Series
Power comes from McLaren’s familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, now producing 788PS and 800Nm of torque.
Combined with a remarkably low dry weight of 1,265kg, the result is an impressive 623PS per tonne, the highest power-to-weight ratio ever achieved by any production model based on the 720S platform.
Performance is suitably dramatic. The 788HS dispatches the century sprint in just 2.8 seconds, reaches 200km/h in 7.0 seconds, and continues towards a top speed of 330km/h.
Yet, McLaren insists outright speed was never the primary objective. Instead, the focus was on delivering what it describes as the most visceral and engaging driving experience this platform has ever offered.
More Than Just Additional Power
The 788HS receives the most comprehensive aerodynamic package ever fitted to the Super Series architecture. A redesigned multi-zone front splitter works alongside a new S-Duct bonnet, a raised active rear wing and a Formula 1-inspired rear diffuser to generate 10 per cent more downforce than the already formidable 765LT.
Customers can also specify every exterior panel in exposed visual carbon fibre, further emphasising the lightweight engineering philosophy that has underpinned every McLaren since the original MP4-12C.
Sharper, Louder And More Focused
Underneath the bodywork, the changes continue. The Proactive Chassis Control III hydraulic suspension has been recalibrated specifically for the 788HS, while the front ride height sits 5mm lower than the 750S.
Carbon ceramic brakes derived from the McLaren Senna provide even greater stopping power, complemented by centre-lock forged alloy wheels, the first time this race-inspired setup has appeared on the Super Series platform.
A unique engine mount calibration increases the connection between driver and powertrain, while a revised quad-exit titanium exhaust system allows the twin-turbocharged V8 to deliver an even richer soundtrack across the rev range. Carefully tuned induction and exhaust symposer systems further amplify the experience inside the cabin without compromising long-distance usability.
A Cabin Built Around The Driver
The cockpit retains McLaren’s trademark driver-centric layout, complemented by a lightweight carbon fibre centre console, bespoke HS upholstery, exclusive perforation patterns and a numbered dedication plaque reminding owners that they are driving one of just 200 cars.
As with every example, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) plays a significant role in the ownership experience.
Each 788HS will be individually personalised, ensuring no two cars are identical. For collectors, exclusivity has become just as valuable as outright performance.
A Fitting Farewell
“The new McLaren 788HS has been designed and engineered with a singular focus; to deliver a visceral experience and captivating drive through its precise balance of performance, sound, dynamism and individuality. It represents the ultimate expression of our supercar series that began with the 720S and becomes only the third McLaren to wear our HS designation – a fitting finale for a much loved and critically acclaimed car.”
Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Chief Commercial Officer at McLaren Automotive
The 720S arrived nearly a decade ago and immediately reset expectations for what a modern supercar could achieve. The 765LT sharpened its focus, while the 750S refined the formula further.
This then, is McLaren’s final love letter to one of the finest supercar architectures of the modern era, and perhaps the perfect way to close a chapter that enthusiasts will look back on with considerable affection.
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