An oversized kiwi sculpture in London's Covent Garden has offered a possible first clue to McLaren's next core supercar. Displayed on 29 October, the bird carried the lettering “McL 820”. Autocar and Auto Express interpret it as a hint at the name of the 750S replacement. That reading is plausible, but McLaren has not formally announced a production model with this name or supplied definitive technical specifications.
The choice of mascot is deliberate. Bruce McLaren was born in New Zealand, and the kiwi became a symbol of the racing team that eventually gave rise to the road-car business. The company has recently leaned further into its heritage, adopting graphics and lettering inspired by its early workshop. The sculpture fits that campaign while inviting a second reading from enthusiasts watching for the next product launch.
A number with a familiar meaning
McLaren's modern model designations have generally indicated output in metric horsepower. If the same convention applies here, 820 would suggest 820 PS, equivalent to approximately 809 bhp. That would exceed the power of the outgoing 750S, but the figure remains an inference from the display, not a confirmed engine rating. No official pictures of the successor, kerb-weight figures or prices have been released.
McLaren is known to be developing new hybrid powertrains and expanding its in-house engine capabilities. Autocar expects the successor to use a V8-based hybrid system, although neither its configuration nor its final output has been established publicly.
Timing gives the clue particular interest. McLaren is taking final orders for the 750S and expects the current series to end in 2027. Its underlying lineage stretches back to the 720S, introduced in 2017. The replacement is expected next year and will help establish how McLaren intends to combine electrification with the character of its regular-production supercars.
The “McL” prefix has already been used for the limited-production McL 6GT, a model intended to offer a more analogue experience through a manual gearbox. Extending the prefix to a mainstream hybrid supercar would indicate a broader naming strategy. Until McLaren confirms the new car, however, the kiwi sculpture remains a teaser rather than a launch.