One of 375 produced globally, this big Mac cost around $2 million when new, but is worth even more today
A little under a decade ago, when hybridisation was only just being explored as a performance-enhancer instead of a fuel-saver, there was an arms race taking place between the likes of Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren.
Ferrari had the hybrid V12 LaFerrari, Porsche took an AWD approach with the 918 Spyder, and McLaren came out with this – the P1.
Utilising the same 3.8lt twin-turbo V8 that is found in the more pedestrian McLarens, the P1 was given bigger turbos to produce a whopping 542kW on dinosaur fuel alone. The auxiliary hybrid electric system delivered a bonus 176kW (twice that of the KERS system found in modern F1 cars); which make for a combined power output of 673kW, and a 0-100km/h time of under 3.0 seconds flat.
We’re not sure if any of the 375 examples produced globally were officially sold new to Australia; although this one appears to have been discretely calling Australia home for a few years now, having been spotted driving on Melbourne roads back in 2015.
This one is currently available at the automotive dream factory that is Melbourne’s Dutton Garage. The Volcano Yellow hypercar has covered 1185kms over six years and is accompanied by two original keys and owner’s manual.
Duttons have listed the car as $POA, but recent global auction results see McLaren P1s generally trading hands for around AU$2 million to AU$2.5 million. The highest sale recorded however came at Gooding and Co’s 2017 Amelia Island sale, where a uniquely specified P1 (just one of two fitted with specially moulded seats), fetched AU$3.3 million.
| Read next: McLaren F1 LM breaks record with AU$29M sale at Monterey
That is a heavy price to pay for anyone, but at least you needn’t fear of parking next to another at your local cars & coffee.
From Unique Cars #444, Sep 2020
Photography: Dutton Garage