McLaren McL 6GT turns Bruce McLaren’s vision into reality
McLaren has unveiled a supercar that brings its heritage into the modern day and fulfils the original vision set out by founder Bruce McLaren.
This is the McL 6GT, a modern interpretation of the M6GT car that inspired McLaren’s road car journey in the late 1960s after its origins in the world of motorsport.
Its reveal comes just weeks after McLaren Special Operations (MSO) showcased its one-off M6GT in honour of founder Bruce at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, although the McL 6GT takes the model to another level.
In terms of styling, the McL 6GT has the same proportions as the M6A Can-Am racer, which the M6GT was based on, and brings an uninterrupted flow from the low nose to the distinctive Kammback tail. The distinctive 'Racing Loop' motif inspired by the M6GT’s original taillights is integrated into the exterior airflow architecture, while Bruce McLaren’s original M6GT number plate is applied as a graphic. In the engine bay is Bruce’s signature, while the Speedy Kiwi – the first iconography developed from McLaren’s original logo – is discreetly etched into the fuel filler cap.
Honouring McLaren’s heritage while bringing it into the modern era
Reimagining McLaren’s road car origin story, but with the latest lightweight carbon fibre monocoque technology and carbon fibre bodywork, the McL 6GT is powered by a V8 engine. It also represents the first time a McLaren has used an authentic manual transmission — sending drive to the rear wheels — since the legendary F1 in 1992.
Inside, exposed gloss carbon fibre in the cabin references the original M6GT and McLaren's racing heritage, while aluminium controls and a gearstick designed for maximum feel and throw give the driver more of a connection to the car and enhance the driving experience. Modern touches are applied through the use of reinterpreted box quilting and a new digital instrumentation that has hints of the original design to create a cockpit that honours McLaren’s heritage.
“The McLaren McL 6GT imagines what our inspirational founder had wished to complete”
Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive, said: “The McLaren McL 6GT imagines what our inspirational founder had wished to complete but with six additional decades of innovation and passion woven through every element, creating a modern icon of driver connection. It is symbolic of the bold, provocative and hugely exciting future that we are preparing to realise”
The production McL 6GT is set to become a reality when it is released in 2028.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: McLaren Automotive