McLaren Brings Back Manual Transmission in Its First Stick-Shift Supercar Since the F1.

      McLaren

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      If any companies are truly accountable for preserving the manual transmission, it’s brands like McLaren, Ferrari, and Porsche—manufacturers renowned for their uncompromising dedication to excellence in their vehicles and their ability to set high prices for ownership. However, when even Maranello struggles to connect a genuine manual gearbox to its V12 engine, something significant is amiss.

      Fortunately, this year's Monterey Car Week has sparked a revival of manual transmissions, and McLaren is the latest to join the trend. They have just unveiled their first manual supercar since the F1, which was released over 30 years ago, named the McL 6GT.

      The name may sound unusual, blending McLaren’s current Formula 1 chassis naming conventions with the essence of its classic Can-Am race cars, like the M6. Technically, what is being presented is a concept, but the McL 6GT is slated for production in 2028, complete with its manual transmission and three pedals.

      Modern McLarens, ranging from the MP4-12C to the Artura and even extreme models like the Senna and W1, seem to adhere to certain fundamental design principles. Their rooflines are familiar; typically, they have tapered, curved noses that often feature the brand's iconic swooping logo; and their rear ends are designed for cooling and airflow. The McL 6GT, however, does not include any of these elements, potentially making it the most distinctive design from the company since it restarted its road-car division 15 years ago. Honestly, I believe it’s spot on.

      The design contains numerous nods to the M6 GT, including vertical headlights and a Kamm tail, as well as the positioning and shape of each duct, designed with a simplicity reminiscent of supercars from the ’90s and 2000s, but increasingly rare today. Inside, McLaren has elevated the shifter to a work of art, with metallic linkages capturing light from every angle in a setting dominated by black and carbon fiber. They take evident pride in it, aiming for it to be the centerpiece of the interior.

      Currently, McLaren has disclosed very few details regarding the McL 6GT's internals. It is powered by a V8, consistent with many of the company’s offerings, though it remains unclear whether it is turbocharged or naturally aspirated. As expected, there’s no hybrid system; the brand promises a “tactile, analogue, and deeply mechanical” experience, with both the monocoque and body crafted from carbon fiber.

      Moreover, McLaren describes this as a “new type” of supercar “beyond the core portfolio.” This suggests that manual transmissions might not become standard across the brand; it seems that, in addition to the past classification of “Sports, Super, and Ultimate” models, McLaren is expanding into more exclusive products that, at least in this instance, offer a more analog driving experience contrary to their regular offerings—for now, at least.

      Bruce McLaren’s personal M6GT, recently refurbished.

      This direction was hinted at by the company just weeks ago at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it restored Bruce McLaren’s personal M6 GT—a Can-Am vehicle essentially remodeled with a closed cockpit for events like Le Mans, that never participated but was eventually adapted for road use. That M6 GT serves as a template for what McLaren aims to achieve with this new car, benefiting from an additional half-century of technological advancement and refinement. Count us in.

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