The McLaren 788HS Brings the 700-Series Era to a Close
It’s said that all good things must come to an end, but that doesn’t mean the end has to be boring. The new McLaren 788HS is meant to send the brand’s 700-series line out with a bang—and some extra horsepower.
McLaren calls the 788HS the “definitive and final evolution” of the 700-series, which began with the 720S in 2017. Since then, the 750S and the very popular 765LT served as the middle range of the McLaren line, flanked by entry-level supercars like the 570S and hypercars like the Senna. Today, McLaren has expanded its lineup, including a new mid-range model, the GTS. That makes the 700-series a bit redundant, hence McLaren closing the book on it with the last chapter being the 788HS.
The “HS” stands for “High Sport,” a label that’s only graced two McLaren models before it: the 12C-HS and the MSO HS. The 788HS wears aggressive aerodynamically-minded bodywork including a massive rear diffuser and rear spoiler. In the rear, it features an evolution of the same M840T engine that’s sat in every 700-series model before it. This time, output has been pushed to 766 horsepower, a modest increase over the 765LT’s 755 hp.
The 788HS wears model-exclusive wheels which hide a brake package including carbon-ceramic discs borrowed from the McLaren Senna. The suspension is custom-tuned, and the quad-exit titanium exhaust has been revised specifically for this model. Naturally, there is a host of cosmetic features exclusive to the 788HS that will no doubt increase its collectability in the future. We won’t go over all of those smaller details here. If you’ve been following supercars for any amount of time, you likely know the drill by now.
To be reductive, it’s another track-day special final-edition supercar that isn’t much different from anything we’ve seen before from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, and other supercar makers. Though this time it feels a bit different. Maybe because just about every model of the 700-series was well-loved by enthusiasts, especially the 765LT.
The 12C certainly had its detractors, and even the Senna faced some criticism, but the 720, 750, and 765 models seemed to escape all the controversy and discourse. That’s a rare thing in today’s car culture. That being said, it’s sad to see the 700-series go, but the 788HS makes us happy to watch it drive off into the sunset. We’re speculating, but I think it’s safe to expect that the McLaren GTS will see some wilder models coming in the not-too-distant future that will help it come into its own as the new mid-range model.
If you want to wave goodbye by getting a 788HS for yourself, be prepared for some competition. Only 200 models are being produced for the global market with equal split across coupe and spider variants. McLaren hasn’t disclosed the MSRP for the 788HS, but expect a high premium considering the model’s rarity. Good luck!
McLaren 788HS Gallery
