Take a look at McLaren’s 2027 FIA WEC Hypercar challenger
Last week, we were given the name for McLaren’s 2027 Hypercar challenger, and now the MCL-HY has been revealed in full.
The car will challenge for the top spot in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class, as McLaren aims to secure the Triple Crown of Motorsport once more with victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
McLaren was the first team to achieve the Triple Crown — winning the Monaco Grand Prix, Indy500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans — which it secured with its one and only victory at Le Mans in 1995. The British team is already competing at the pinnacle of Formula 1 and the NTT IndyCar Series.
2026 Testing Programme
The MCL-HY challenger will now spend the remainder of 2026 continuing its development and being put through its paces with a rigorous testing programme, ahead of homologation in the winter. McLaren Hypercar Team works driver Mikkel Jensen will lead testing duties alongside Development Programme drivers Gregoire Saucy and Richard Verschoor, while United Autosports driver Ben Hanley will add his racing experience to the setup.
The car was revealed in a 2026 test livery inspired by the McLaren M6A, which was the prototype car that Bruce McLaren hoped to, but never managed to race in, at Le Mans.
The key figures
To comply with the FIA’s LMDh regulations, the MCL-HY is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 race engine paired with a hybrid MGU system, putting out 697bhp. Ultra-low in weight (1,030kg) thanks to its carbon fibre monocoque chassis, the car has an efficient power-to-weight ratio which McLaren hopes will put it in contention at Le Mans next year.
Here’s how to own one
A GTR track car variant of the MCL-HY will also be available to purchase for some of McLaren’s VIP customers as part of the Project: Endurance programme. Engineered alongside the WEC challenger, the track variant doesn’t come with the constraints of the FIA Hypercar’s mandated LMDh hybrid system and is simply powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged racing engine. This results in a lighter car able to put out 720bhp.
Deliveries are set to begin towards the end of 2027; however, the ownership experience extends beyond simply owning the car, with McLaren set to include buyers in the racing team’s World Endurance Championship operation. This means exclusive access to testing and development, right through to being part of the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans experience
Away from the drama of the WEC, MCL-HY GTR owners will get to take part in a two-year, six-event track driving programme at some of the world's best circuits. Professional driver coaching, a dedicated pit crew and race engineering support are all part of the package.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: McLaren Automotive