McLaren has taken the covers of its McL 6GT concept car at Monterey Car Week, ahead of its birth as a production vehicle in 2028. Using the McLaren M6GT – Bruce McLaren’s original, but unfulfilled supercar dream, as its inspiration, it draws on a deep history.
Presented as an unmistakable signal of how the maverick spirit within McLaren can inform a future-facing approach, it lays the foundations for a newly positioned and highly exclusive type of McLaren supercar beyond the core and expanded portfolio.
Placing a tangible emphasis on authentically reimagined heritage, modern tactility and pure driver connection throughout its finer details, the McL 6GT blends lightweight carbon-fibre construction, V8 internal combustion power, and an authentic manual transmission.
Not seen since the iconic McLaren F1 of 1992, the stick shift will send drive to the rear wheels. It’s the backbone of what will be a very mechanical build. Every shift, throttle movement and steering input is intended to feel deliberate, physical, and rewarding.
This mechanical character extends beyond the drivetrain. Hydraulic steering, tactile switchgear, and visible engineering details all contribute to a sense of purity of involvement for the driver.
Knurled machined aluminium controls and meticulous ergonomics reinforce the same human-machine connection, including detailing inspired by Bruce McLaren’s M6GT. The design of the gearstick, for example, has been carefully considered for maximum feel and throw.
It incorporates design inspired by McLaren’s heritage, with a three-dimensional Speedy Kiwi set within its upright. The McL 6GT name is inspired by the iconic founder’s track history and the brand’s automotive journey.
Interpreting the racing-inspired styling and surfacing of 1960s sports prototype racing cars with 21st century execution and packaging, the DNA of M6GT is felt throughout the design of McL-6GT. It begins with the proportions.
The McL 6GT sits exceptionally low and wide, with a low nose, echoing the stance of the M6A Can-Am racer upon which the M6GT was based. The body surfacing is clean, with uninterrupted volumes flowing to the distinctive Kammback tail.
The car reads as a single continuous form, with the roof flowing naturally into the rear deck and engine cover. The cabin appears embedded within the body rather than sitting atop it. These organic qualities mimic the low-drag aerodynamic conventions of the era.
The distinctive ‘Racing Loop’ motif inspired by the M6GT’s original taillights are integrated into the exterior airflow architecture. His signature adorns the engine bay, and the Speedy Kiwi is discreetly etched into the fuel filler cap.
Inside, that philosophy continues through carefully considered details. Boxed quilting is reinterpreted for a modern audience, while the new digital instrumentation retains the clarity and emotional appeal of the original.
Further details on the McL 6GT are expected to be revealed in the lead up to its production launch.
