by Rumors of a new manual McLaren supercar
Styles are cyclical, and apparently gearboxes are too. Koenigsegg and Ferrari recently brought back manual transmissions, and now unconfirmed rumors have emerged that McLaren is preparing a new supercar with three pedals. If true, it would be the first manual McLaren in almost three decades.
Source of the rumors
The report originates from The Supercar Blog, which claims McLaren is preparing an ultra-exclusive hypercar, known internally as the “P50.” According to the publication, the car will debut at The Quail during Monterey Car Week next month, will cost even more than the approximately $2.1 million W1, and will be limited to fewer than 100 units. Importantly, the blog cites no sources and provides no engineering details.
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Where the rumors started
Nevertheless, there are several compelling reasons to believe these rumors may have some truth. Motor1 noted that enthusiasts have been discussing the possibility of a manual McLaren on the McLaren Life forums for months. The discussion began as early as February, when forum members started speculating about a limited-edition special project.
Some users dismissed the idea, while others claimed the rumors had “teeth” and suggested that demand for a three-pedal McLaren had only grown. As the thread developed, several participants stated that the project would be extremely expensive and produced in very limited numbers. Speculation became even more mysterious. One user hinted that the car should be seen as an ultra-exclusive Icona series from Ferrari, while mentioning “Top Gun.”
Later references strengthening the film connection mentioned “Pete Mitchell,” leading another forum member to wonder whether the project might be linked to McLaren’s previously announced collaboration with Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division. No evidence linking the rumors to this partnership has been found, but the references only fueled further speculation.
No official statements yet
If the rumors are confirmed, the P50 would be the first production McLaren car with a manual transmission since the legendary F1. For now, everything remains at the rumor level. McLaren has made no statements regarding a new model, a manual transmission, or a presentation in Monterey. If the situation changes, The Quail on August 14 could become the place where one of the industry’s most discussed secrets finally becomes official.
It is worth noting that the return to manual gearboxes in supercars is not just nostalgia, but a response to demands from collectors seeking more engaging driving. If McLaren is indeed working on such a project, it could be a powerful move for the brand, which is currently focused on hybrid technologies. However, without official confirmation, all these discussions remain mere speculation, which has nonetheless generated significant interest among the brand’s fans.
