Rumors claim McLaren will unveil a manual supercar at The Quail next month. Enthusiast forums have discussed the project since early 2026. Fewer than 100 examples could reportedly be built if the car exists. Styles are cyclical, and evidently gearboxes might be too. Koenigsegg and Ferrari have brought back manual-esque transmissions lately, and now, a completely unsubstantiated rumor is floating around that McLaren is about to drop a new three-pedal supercar. If it turns out to be true, this will be the first manual McLaren in nearly three decades. More: Ferrari’s New 12Cilindri Manuale Has A Gated Shifter And A Clutch And It’s Also An Automatic The report originates with The Supercar Blog, which claims McLaren is preparing an ultra-exclusive hypercar internally known as the “P50.” According to the publication, the car will debut at The Quail during Monterey Car Week next month, cost even more than the approximately $2.1 million W1, and be limited to fewer than 100 examples. Importantly, the blog doesn’t cite any sources whatsoever and doesn’t go into detail about the engineering on offer. Where The Rumor Started That said, there are some good reasons there might be some fire around all this smoke. Motor1 noted that enthusiasts have been discussing the possibility of a manual McLaren on the McLaren Life forums for months. The discussion stretches back to February, when forum members first began speculating about a low-volume special project. Some posters dismissed the idea outright, while others claimed the rumor had “teeth” and suggested demand for a three-pedal McLaren had only intensified. As the thread evolved, several members claimed the project would be extraordinarily expensive and produced in very limited numbers. The speculation eventually turned even more cryptic. One poster hinted that the car should be viewed like Ferrari’s ultra-exclusive Icona series while dropping a “Top Gun” reference. Later posts doubled down on the movie connection by mentioning “Pete Mitchell,” prompting another forum member to wonder whether the project could somehow relate to McLaren’s previously announced collaboration with Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division. No evidence has emerged linking the rumored car to that partnership, but the references have only fueled additional speculation. Nothing Official Yet If the rumors prove accurate, the P50 would become McLaren’s first production car with a manual gearbox since the legendary F1. For now, though, everything remains firmly in rumor territory. McLaren has made no announcement regarding a new model, a manual transmission, or a Monterey reveal. If that changes, The Quail on August 14 could be where one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets finally becomes official. Photos: McLaren
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