Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 788HS is only the third McLaren ever to wear the High Sport badge, following the low-volume MP4-12C HS and the 675LT-based MSO HS. The number refers to the engine's output in metric horsepower, which works out to 777 horsepower in the United States. Built by McLaren Special Operations, it caps the lineage that runs through the 720S, 750S, and 765LT with more power, more downforce, and a bespoke chassis setup. McLaren bills it as the ultimate expression of the series, and given what is under the skin, that is hard to argue with.McLaren 788HSAdam Lynton/AutoblogThe most powerful of its familyAt the heart of the 788HS is McLaren's familiar M840T, a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, now tuned to 777 horsepower and 590 lb.ft of torque. That is 37 horsepower more than the 750S and 22 more than the hardcore 765LT, and the extra output comes from real engineering rather than a software tweak. Low-inertia twin-scroll turbochargers, two individual fuel pumps, and robust forged pistons are all featured, and peak power arrives at 7,500 rpm, with the engine spinning all the way to 8,500 rpm.AdvertisementAdvertisementA quad-tip central exhaust exits just beneath the rear wing, and a unique engine mount calibration is meant to sharpen the connection between driver and powertrain without ruining long-distance manners. This is still a car you could drive to the track, in theory.McLaren 788HSAdam Lynton/AutoblogPerformance and weightThe numbers land squarely in hypercar territory. McLaren quotes 2.8 seconds for the sprint to 60 mph, 7.0 seconds to 124 mph, and a top speed of 205 mph. The 0-to-124-mph figure is a couple of tenths quicker than the 750S, while the 205-mph top speed matches the 765LT.Weight is where a car like this is really won or lost, and the 788HS tips the scales at a claimed 2,789 pounds dry, around 26 pounds lighter than a 750S despite all the added aero. That gives it the best power-to-weight ratio of any car in the family, roughly 3.55 pounds per horsepower, which should make it the quickest of the bunch in the real world.McLaren 788HSAdam Lynton/AutoblogAero and chassisThe visual drama is functional. The once-flush active airbrake is gone, replaced by a large fixed rear wing, and the front splitter is redesigned to work with it. An S-duct routes air through the bonnet to cut through the atmosphere more cleanly, coupes get a roof scoop feeding the engine bay, and the diffuser is the largest McLaren has fitted to a 720S-generation car, complete with F1-style slots. All told, downforce climbs about 10% over its predecessor, and every new aero element is left in glossy exposed carbon fiber.AdvertisementAdvertisementUnderneath, McLaren's linked-hydraulic Proactive Chassis Control suspension gets HS-specific tuning, and the ride height drops by about 0.2 inch compared to a 750S. Braking comes from carbon-ceramic discs derived from the McLaren Senna, clamped by six-piston, forged-aluminum front calipers with integrated cooling, behind new forged centerlock wheels.Rare, bespoke, and finalExclusivity is a big part of the pitch. Production is capped at 200 cars worldwide, evenly split between 100 coupes and 100 Spiders, and each one passes through McLaren Special Operations for a fully bespoke commission, so no two need be alike. For the first time, McLaren will even offer exposed carbon-fiber bodywork. Inside are the Senna's lightweight carbon-fiber bucket seats, a carbon-fiber center console, unique seat perforations, HS branding, and a dedication plaque bearing the car's serial number.McLaren 788HSMcLaren AutomotiveMcLaren has not announced pricing, but given the rarity and the level of customization, expect it to land around $600,000 before options. More than the money, though, the 788HS matters as a bookend. It closes out the V8 supercar era that started with the 720S nearly a decade ago, and it does so just as McLaren prepares for an electrified next chapter. As last hurrahs go, 777 horsepower and a full MSO treatment is a strong way to sign off.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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