McLaren P1 'XP2R' prototype for sale
Remember the P1 that set a 'sub-seven-minute' lap around the Nurburgring? It's looking for a new owner
There’s something utterly fascinating about a McLaren test car. Not least because my old university was a stone’s throw from Woking and my student flat was along one of the company’s test routes, so I’d often see (and hear) the firm’s latest models long before their public reveals. But there was always an extra layer of mystique thanks to McLaren penchant for occasionally adorning its prototypes with its very own ‘XP’ codename. A small touch, but enough to give a simple test mule its own character and backstory.
Take the old McLaren F1 prototypes, for instance. Gordon Murray chose a pair of Ultima Mk3s to aid development of the F1, with one car (dubbed Albert) fitted with a 7.4-litre Chevy V8 to test the gearbox and the second (called Edward) serving as the test bed for the BMW S70/2 V12. They made such great test cars, in fact, that Murray bought a few more Ultima kits to develop the running gear for the GMA T.50. That one, called George, was spotted at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting last year, but the two McLaren mules were sadly destroyed long ago. Had they remained intact they’d have no doubt had collectors clambering all over them.
You can, however, get your hands on this P1 prototype, provided your pockets are deeper than the Mariana Trench. Any P1 test car is going to carry some significance, not only because each example helps chart the progress of one of the pillars of the hypercar Holy Trinity, but also thanks to their internal role in the firm. McLaren was entering uncharted waters with the P1, with hybrid technology still in its infancy in high-performance terms. Of course, Porsche and Ferrari were busy working away on their own petrol-electric hypercars, but they were big established carmakers. In comparison, it seemed like it had only been a blink of an eye since McLaren launched the MP4-12C.
So there was a lot riding on these P1 test cars. Some of the 13 experimental ‘XP’ prototypes would be used for environmental testing, others to check certain components were performing as intended. The codenamed car we have here had the coolest job of the lot. It was one of the early development cars and was mainly responsible for performance tests including vMax runs, developing the Race Mode, stress testing the Pirelli tyres and ensuring the active aerodynamics didn’t bug out while fully committed through the Foxhole at the Nurburgring. It’s also the car that set the unofficial 'sub-seven minute’ lap around the Nordschleife. Remember the spy shots of a P1 decked in camo lapping various racing circuits of the world? Chances are it was this very car.
Of course, it looks a little different now. After the P1’s public debut in 2013, XP2R was repainted in Supernova Silver (the look it carried for its ‘Ring run) and briefly resumed its testing duties before entering retirement. It was then acquired by a private collector, where it remained until resurfacing towards the end of last year. Although it looks like any other P1, the prototype does have some unique features such as XP2R-branded wheels, its codename on the P1 plaque inside the cabin and a de-badged bonnet. The Nurburgring logo on the doors is a nice touch, too.
A P1 is a very special thing anyway, but clearly this one is on a different historical footing to most. As is the price. It’s all yours for £2,500,000, which even by P1 standards is pretty steep. For instance, Jenson Button’s old P1 was up for ‘just’ £1.5m six months ago. But even though that had some unique features on it, the XP2R feels like it might be that bit more special. Better act fast before McLaren buys it back and locks it up in its Woking lair for all eternity.
Wtf is that all about?
From the advert
“XP2R is now held with an extensive set of spares, including a second set of carbon fibre bodywork. With these spare parts and bodywork, a complete silhouette vehicle has been created, which sits alongside the car. This second model is all-but identical to the original prototype, although showing the different coloured brake caliper which were worn during the development programme.”
Maybe in the eyes of some, this isn't much different.
From the advert
“XP2R is now held with an extensive set of spares, including a second set of carbon fibre bodywork. With these spare parts and bodywork, a complete silhouette vehicle has been created, which sits alongside the car. This second model is all-but identical to the original prototype, although showing the different coloured brake caliper which were worn during the development programme.”
From the advert
“XP2R is now held with an extensive set of spares, including a second set of carbon fibre bodywork. With these spare parts and bodywork, a complete silhouette vehicle has been created, which sits alongside the car. This second model is all-but identical to the original prototype, although showing the different coloured brake caliper which were worn during the development programme.”
Tbh, no one is going to buy this and do miles in it, so spares are somewhat irrelevant other than to have a display in two homes...
From the advert
“XP2R is now held with an extensive set of spares, including a second set of carbon fibre bodywork. With these spare parts and bodywork, a complete silhouette vehicle has been created, which sits alongside the car. This second model is all-but identical to the original prototype, although showing the different coloured brake caliper which were worn during the development programme.”
Tbh, no one is going to buy this and do miles in it, so spares are somewhat irrelevant other than to have a display in two homes...
Tbh, no one is going to buy this and do miles in it, so spares are somewhat irrelevant other than to have a display in two homes...
From the advert
“XP2R is now held with an extensive set of spares, including a second set of carbon fibre bodywork. With these spare parts and bodywork, a complete silhouette vehicle has been created, which sits alongside the car. This second model is all-but identical to the original prototype, although showing the different coloured brake caliper which were worn during the development programme.”
Tbh, no one is going to buy this and do miles in it, so spares are somewhat irrelevant other than to have a display in two homes...
However, the P1 wouldn't be on my lotto dream garage.
Tbh, no one is going to buy this and do miles in it, so spares are somewhat irrelevant other than to have a display in two homes...
And the steel frame
Having said that, it wouldn't be too big of a job to knock up a proper steel spaceframe to mount all the P1 bits on, making the ultimate kit car.
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