It feels like ages since the legendary McLaren P1 ceased production. This hybrid hypercar proudly stood among the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder, together making up the esteemed “Holy Trinity” of high-performance vehicles that shaped hybrid technology throughout the 2010s. The P1 is the most elusive of the trio, with McLaren manufacturing only 375 models for the road, in addition to 58 P1 GTRs and 6 P1 LMs. Yet, an even rarer version exists, and one is now available for purchase.
Introducing XP05, one of just 14 P1 prototypes created for rigorous testing before the model’s official launch in late 2013. While most prototypes were destroyed in crash tests, XP05 is one of the five that survived. It is currently listed for sale on Tom Hartley Jnr in the United Kingdom.
XP05 has proven its worth as it was utilized as a test vehicle for Bosch fuel injection and transmission systems. Enhanced to meet full P1 GTR specifications, it showcased at major events in New York and Geneva during the launch of the track-focused variant. Furthermore, the prototype underwent a complete overhaul and was repainted in McLaren Orange, featuring unique MSO options, for a customer who drove it a mere 300 miles.
For collectors, XP05 represents the pinnacle of P1 models. It comes with an extensive documented history of its use, a scale model of the P1, two spare keys, original owner’s manuals, and even the development notes from its testing phase.
While the asking price is not disclosed, a standard production P1 typically retails for around $2 million, and XP05’s unique status could easily push its value up by another million or two. However, for a dedicated McLaren enthusiast, such costs might not deter a purchase. After all, if money can’t guarantee happiness, why does XP05 seem to have a perpetual smile?
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