The McLaren 788HS Is the Ultimate 750S EvolutionMcLarenMcLaren is currently in the process of building its next hypercar, but the 1258-hp W1 is not the only limited-run car with outrageous performance in the works at the speed machine-focused manufacturer. Next up on the docket is a limited-run V-8 car based on—and sitting above—the celebrated 750S. Limited to just 200 units, the 788HS is a "high sport" model meant to serve as what McLaren calls the "definitive and final" evolution of the supercar line that started with the 720S.As the name suggests, output is listed at 788 metric horsepower (equivalent to 777 imperial hp) from the familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 used in many McLaren models. Combined with a dry weight of 2789 pounds, the car boasts an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 279 hp per 1000 lbs.McLarenOther mechanical changes include center-lock wheels, a front ride height dropped by two-tenths of an inch, and a unique tuning for McLaren's signature linked-hydraulic suspension system. 590 lb-ft of torque help the 788HS sprint from 0-60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds, the company says, on the way to a 205-mph top speed.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat "HS" refers to the model's status as a "high sport" car, a designation used only twice before by McLaren, rather than to the addition of a hybrid system. Not only does that decision to stay simple keep the car under 3000 lbs, it provides a major point of differentiation over the brand's W1 hypercar.McLarenThe McLaren 788HS can trace some of its componentry all the way back to the MP4-12C that re-launched the company's road car operations back in 2011, but it is most directly an evolution of the 720S that debuted in 2017. That car, Road & Track's Performance Car of the Year for 2018, later spawned its own high-performance limited edition in the form of the 765LT before being evolved again into the 750S. All three models have drawn rave reviews here at R&T since their debuts, an encouraging sign for buyers who have allocations for an 788HS of their own.Each of the 200 788HS examples should be unique thanks to the involvement of McLaren Special Operations, the group at the company responsible for special specifications and one-of-one builds. Production will be split evenly among coupe and convertible body styles, meaning half of the supercars will be built with a retractable roof. As McLaren calls this the final evolution of the 720S, this should serve as the ultimate example of this long-lived generation of supercars from the manufacturer.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State
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