McLaren’s new concept isn’t just a glimpse into the future.

The British supercar specialists have just unveiled the McL 6GT, its first vehicle to feature a manual gearbox since the legendary F1. That alone is noteworthy, but the prototype also happens to be a preview of a model expected to debut later this decade.

The F1 essentially created the blueprint for the modern supercar when it debuted in 1992, so it’s little surprise that it has informed the design and engineering of every McLaren that followed. Despite this, one of its most important features, a six-speed manual transmission, never made it to another one of the marque’s cars—until McL 6GT, that is. And, unlike the gearbox found in the recently unveiled Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale, it’s a true manual that lets you row through the gears without computer assistance.

Details about McL 6GT’s powertrain are vague at this point, as is sometimes the case with concepts (although Car and Driver reports that the physical vehicle runs). But the pattern on top of the gigantic gear shifter seen in the interior photographs of the vehicle suggests that the engine, however big it may be, will be connected to a six-speed gearbox. Those same images also show off a Papaya Orange clutch pedal.

While we’ll have to wait to find out what will power the production version, we do have an idea of what it will look like. The car, which will be displayed during Monterey Car Week, has a design inspired by Bruce McLaren’s first road car, the M6GT from 1969. It’s low slung and features clean lines from front to back. We’re especially fond of its giant lights up front and the low-profile wing coming off the rear of the vehicle. An early version of the marque’s logo, known as the “Speedy Kiwi,” is also etched into the fuel cap.

The cabin, meanwhile, is integrated into the body of the vehicle, rather than sitting atop it. It may have a gear shifter sitting atop its center console, but it’s still equipped with the kind of modern technology, including digital displays up front, you find in the rest of the brand’s supercars. The steering wheel, seats, and door cards look to be covered in Alcantara.

McLaren is clear that the McL 6GT is a concept, so we’re sure there will be some changes between now and when the finished product is unveiled. That should happen in 2028, which, thankfully, isn’t too far away. When the car does arrive, it’s expected to carry a $1.5 million price tag.

Click here for more photos of the McLaren McL 6GT.

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  Bryan Hood

  Senior Staff Writer

  Bryan Hood is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. Before joining the magazine, he worked for the New York Post, Artinfo and New York magazine, where he covered everything from celebrity gossip to…

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