McLaren Is Reportedly Developing a Manual Supercar Called the P50

Unconfirmed reports suggest McLaren is developing a new flagship supercar featuring a manual gearbox to appeal to purists seeking an analog driving experience. Referred to internally as the P50, the project is rumored to break cover at The Quail during Monterey Car Week next month. If the speculation proves accurate, the vehicle will mark a significant milestone for the British manufacturer. The upcoming model would become the first production car from the brand to feature a three-pedal setup since the F1 finished its run in 1998. Such a release represents a stark departure from the company’s recent focus on dual-clutch transmissions and heavy hybrid integration.

Speculation regarding the powertrain points toward either a twin-turbocharged setup designed to meet global emissions standards or a naturally aspirated engine. Implementing forced induction would likely be necessary if the vehicle requires homologation for public streets. Enthusiasts on the German Car Forum and McLaren Life have debated the possibility of the manufacturer repurposing the Judd-supplied 5.2-liter V10 found in the track-only Solus GT for a non-road-legal variant. Online discussions stretching back to February hint at an extremely low-volume special project. Some forum members have cryptically compared the upcoming release to Ferrari’s Icona series while dropping references to the movie character Pete Mitchell. These cinematic hints prompted speculation that the new vehicle might tie into the automaker’s previously announced collaboration with Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division.

The rumors originated from The Supercar Blog and highlight a broader shift in the high-end automotive sector. Elite buyers shopping for hypercars increasingly demand the visceral engagement of physical controls rather than purely digital speed. Top-tier manufacturers are listening by reintroducing traditional shifting mechanisms to their most exclusive models. Recent examples include the gated shifter found in the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale and the complex gear selector in the Koenigsegg CC850. McLaren has not officially confirmed the existence of the P50 or any plans for a Monterey reveal. An official debut on August 14 would validate one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets and test whether a manual transmission can command a price well north of $2.1 million.