THE MCLAREN MCL 820: A NEW ERA BEGINS
2026-11-05By Nathaniel Brooks
- McLaren confirms the name and power output of its next-generation supercar
- An all-new powertrain is expected to deliver a significant performance increase over the outgoing 750S
- Set to arrive in 2027, the McL 820 marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for the British marque
McLaren is preparing to introduce an entirely new generation of supercars, with the British manufacturer officially confirming that its next series-production model will be called the McL 820. Scheduled to arrive in 2027, the newcomer is widely expected to replace the celebrated 750S, bringing a fresh design philosophy, substantially increased performance and potentially an entirely new hybrid powertrain to the marque's core supercar line-up.
The announcement follows McLaren's recent confirmation that production of the 750S is approaching its conclusion, bringing an end to a hugely successful model lineage that began with the 720S in 2017. While the company has yet to reveal the McL 820 itself, it has confirmed one particularly significant specification: an output of 809hp, representing an increase of 69hp over the outgoing 750S.
NEW NAME, NEW IDENTITY Rather unusually, McLaren chose to introduce its forthcoming supercar through an enormous kiwi bird sculpture displayed in London's Covent Garden. Wrapped in distinctive orange-and-black camouflage, the sculpture featured the McL 820 designation, paying tribute to the New Zealand heritage of company founder Bruce McLaren, who adopted the kiwi as an emblem during the marque's early racing years.
The name also signals an important change in McLaren's identity. Replacing the familiar three-digit naming structure used by models such as the 720S and 750S, the new McL prefix draws inspiration from the company's motorsport heritage, with the numerical designation continuing to reflect engine output in metric horsepower. The McL 820 follows the recently unveiled McL 6GT, establishing a more consistent naming convention across the manufacturer's future road and racing programmes.
809HP AND A NEW GENERATION OF PERFORMANCE Although McLaren has remained relatively quiet regarding technical specifications, the McL 820 is widely expected to introduce a new generation of hybrid powertrains developed in-house by the manufacturer.
Current reports suggest the supercar could utilise an electrified twin-turbocharged V8, potentially drawing upon technology developed for the flagship McLaren W1. Such a configuration would represent a significant departure from the purely combustion-powered 750S, while allowing McLaren to compete more directly with increasingly powerful electrified rivals.
The company has yet to confirm the engine configuration, transmission or performance figures beyond the 809hp output. Nevertheless, with the existing 750S already capable of accelerating from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 2.8 seconds and reaching 206mph (332km/h), expectations for its successor are understandably high.
Maintaining McLaren's renowned lightweight philosophy will also be a considerable priority, particularly if the new model adopts hybrid technology. Carbon-fibre construction has long been fundamental to the company's supercars, and the McL 820 is expected to continue that tradition while introducing substantial advances in aerodynamics, chassis technology and overall refinement.
THE NEXT CHAPTER The McL 820 arrives at a particularly important moment for the British manufacturer. Following a major change in ownership and the announcement of an ambitious expansion strategy, McLaren is preparing to broaden its portfolio significantly, with new production facilities, greater in-house engineering capabilities and an expanded range of vehicles planned for the coming years.
The forthcoming supercar will play a central role in this transformation, serving as one of the first major products of McLaren's new era. Alongside the more driver-focused McL 6GT and an anticipated luxury SUV, the McL 820 will help establish the direction of the company's future model range.
With further details expected throughout 2027, much remains unknown about McLaren's next-generation supercar, including its appearance, final technical configuration and pricing. However, the confirmed power increase, new naming structure and prospect of an advanced hybrid powertrain already suggest a substantial evolution over the outgoing 750S.
For McLaren, the McL 820 represents far more than another performance upgrade. It is the beginning of a new generation of supercars, and potentially one of the most important models in the company's modern history.
