McLaren has revealed the 788HS, the final and most extreme factory evolution of the supercar line that began with the 720S in 2017. The new derivative follows the 765LT and 750S, while reviving the High Sport designation for only the third time in McLaren history. Production is limited to 100 coupes and 100 Spiders, all finished through McLaren Special Operations.
Its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 produces 788 metric horsepower, equivalent to 777 bhp. Top Gear reports a 0-62 mph time of 2.7 seconds and a 205 mph top speed. Claimed dry weight is 1,265 kg, 12 kg less than the 750S despite the additional aerodynamic hardware.
Most of the visible changes are about airflow. The 788HS uses a bespoke front splitter, larger intakes, an S-duct through the nose, a functional roof scoop and a much larger active rear wing. A deeper diffuser and quad exhaust outlets reshape the rear of the car. McLaren says the package produces around 10 percent more downforce than a 765LT.
Braking hardware is derived from the Senna, while new centre-lock forged wheels reinforce the more focused character. Even so, the 788HS remains a road car rather than a track-only special, and it is not positioned as a clean-sheet successor to the existing range. Its role is to close the nine-year development path of the 720S architecture before McLaren's next generation of products arrives.
The 200-car run is larger than the two previous High Sport programmes, but it is still tightly limited. MSO also gives buyers extensive freedom over each specification, including custom liveries, exposed carbon treatments and individual trim details, so the final run is intended to be highly personalised as well as mechanically distinct.