McLaren has introduced a new chapter in its racing ambitions with the unveiling of the MCL-HY, a Le Mans prototype set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, alongside an even more extreme customer version designed without regulatory limits.
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The British automaker’s return to the top class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans marks a significant step, building on limited but notable history at the endurance race, including an overall victory in 1995. The new MCL-HY race car reflects McLaren’s renewed commitment, combining advanced aerodynamics with a hybrid-assisted 2.9-liter V-6 powertrain producing a total of 697 horsepower. The car is set to be driven by Mikkel Jensen, with support from Gregoire Saucy and Richard Verschoor.
While the race car signals McLaren’s competitive intentions, attention has quickly shifted to its track-only counterpart, the MCL-HY GTR. Developed without the constraints imposed by racing regulations, the GTR version pushes performance further by removing the hybrid system required in the race car. This allows the retained six-cylinder engine to operate without added weight or restrictions, increasing output to approximately 720 horsepower.
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The absence of regulatory limitations also contributes to a lighter overall design. Although final weight figures have not been disclosed, the GTR is expected to come in below the minimum weight requirement for Le Mans hypercars, enhancing its already impressive power-to-weight ratio.
The MCL-HY GTR will not be widely available. McLaren plans to offer the vehicle exclusively to select clients through its Project: Endurance program, reinforcing its status as a highly specialized machine. Testing of the track-only model is scheduled to begin later this month, with deliveries anticipated before the end of 2027.
With both models, McLaren is positioning itself to reestablish a presence in endurance racing while simultaneously offering an elite group of customers access to an unrestricted performance platform derived directly from its latest competition car.
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John Lloyd