Is McLaren Really Bringing Back The Manual Gearbox?

A wild new rumor alleges that McLaren will launch its first manual car in nearly 30 years.

Ex-Brunei Royal Family 1994 McLaren F1

Photo by: RM Sotheby's

Adrian Padeanu

By: Adrian Padeanu

Jul 20, at 7:32am ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

The Breakdown

The McLaren "P50" is rumored to break cover in August.
It's claimed to have a manual gearbox and cost more than the McLaren W1.
McLaren will reportedly make fewer than 100 units.

The manual gearbox is enjoying a resurgence at the very top of the automotive hierarchy. Ferrari brought it back for the new 12Cilindri Manuale, and while not a true manual, Maranello’s V12 supercar does feature a gated shifter and even a clutch pedal. Hennessey is putting an honest-to-God manual in the Venom F5-M, while Porsche’s 911 GT3 S/C is a manual-only affair. If a new report is to be believed, McLaren is about to launch its own three-pedal performance car.

Without citing any sources, TheSupercarBlog alleges the project is internally known as the “P50.” Needless to say, there’s no connection to the Peel P50 microcar, aka the world’s smallest production car. Instead, the designation apparently belongs to a new McLaren model with a manual gearbox, which would be the brand’s first in nearly 30 years. The first and last time Woking built a car with a do-it-yourself transmission was during the F1’s production run from 1992 to 1998. To this day, it remains the world’s fastest naturally aspirated production car.

Pictured below, the M6GT with a five-speed gearbox was Bruce McLaren’s vision of a road-going car, but it never materialized after the project was scrapped following the construction of just three prototypes. While McLaren Special Operations’ freshly restored M6GT isn’t for sale, the P50 is allegedly headed for production. The unconfirmed plan is to build fewer than 100 units at an undisclosed price. It’s said to cost more than the W1 flagship, putting the rumored price tag north of $2.1 million.

McLaren M6GT

McLaren M6GT restoration by McLaren Special Operations

Photo by: McLaren

It’s unclear whether the McLaren P50 will feature a true manual gearbox or a simulated setup like the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale, where there isn’t a physical connection between the shifter and the transmission. Either way, there may be some substance behind what currently looks like a wild rumor. Enthusiasts on the McLaren Life forums have been discussing a three-pedal McLaren for months. Meanwhile, insiders on the German Car Forum have been speculating about the MSO P50 since early 2026, suggesting it might even feature a naturally aspirated engine.

Although a twin-turbo setup seems like the safer bet, we shouldn’t forget McLaren fitted the Solus GT with a naturally aspirated V10. The wild, single-seat track-only machine proves the company isn’t afraid to think outside the box. However, a road car would inevitably have to meet emissions regulations, making forced induction the more likely solution for improved efficiency. If the P50 won’t be road legal, though, it would be much easier to install the Solus GT’s Judd-supplied 5.2-liter NA V10.

The world premiere is apparently locked in for next month during Monterey Car Week. McLaren is believed to be taking the wraps off the car at The Quail, which takes place on August 14 in California. Until McLaren says otherwise, take these details with the proverbial pinch of salt. In the meantime, the closest thing to an F1 remains the GMA T.50 with its six-speed, H-pattern manual gearbox engineered by Xtrac.

Ex-Brunei Royal Family 1994 McLaren F1

Source: RM Sotheby's

What do you think?

View

Comments

Motor1's Take: While explaining why the Rimac Nevera wasn’t selling as well as he had hoped, Mate Rimac said wealthy buyers shopping for high-end performance cars still crave combustion engines and a more analog feel. Ferrari built the 12Cilindri Manuale after its wealthiest customers repeatedly asked for the return of the manual gearbox. Porsche is making a fortune with manual 911s, so there’s clearly demand among one-percenters for a stick shift.

If the P50 rumor holds water, McLaren will likely print money. While very few people will be able to afford it, we hope it won’t be confined to the track. As spectacular as the Solus GT is, a road-legal car would make a far greater impact.

Catch Up With McLaren:

The McLaren 788HS Is The Final Chapter For Three Supercars

The New McLaren Track Car Has 720 Horsepower From A Pure V6 Engine

Source: TheSupercarBlog,McLaren Life,German Car Forum

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

Bugatti Restores One-Off Veyron With A Mirror-Like Aluminum Body

BMW Kept This Hatchback A Secret For Decades

Skoda Wants You To 3D Print Pieces Of Your Car At Home

The Gas BMW M3 Isn't Dead: Next-Gen Prototype Roars