A McLaren P1 fetched a record amount at a recent Bonhams auction,->ke2845 crossing the block for a staggering price of $2.09 million. The Alaskan Diamond White model is the 371st (VIN. SBM12ABA1FW000371) of the 375 total units of the P1->ke4608 and is the last one made for the U.S. market. The $2.09 million tag is the highest ever paid for a P1, reaffirming the growing belief that the trio of hypercars->ke177 released by McLaren,->ke4608 Ferrari,->ke252 and Porsche->ke1 have already reached critically acclaimed status.

As exclusive as a “standard” P1 already is, this particular model is even more so as it’s dressed to the nines with an options list that costs almost $100,000. The Alaskan Diamond White paint finish is included in the options, as are the contrasting orange accents throughout the car’s exterior and interior. Its power still comes from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine that works in concert with an electric motor to produce a total of 903 horsepower and around 1,100 pound-feet of torque. Its performance credentials are pretty much public knowledge at this point, but in the interest of full disclosure, the P1 is capable of sprinting to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 9.8 seconds. Its top speed is listed at 217 mph.

Technically speaking, this particular P1 is a second-hand with the first owner identified as a “Florida-based enthusiast” who took delivery of the car a year ago from McLaren’s dealership in Chicago. The good thing is that the model only has less than 300 miles on its odometer, making it pretty close to being a brand new P1.

The identity of the winning buyer wasn’t disclosed, but it’s evident that whoever won the auction has some deep pockets. As for the first owner, he got to enjoy the car for close to a year and still made money from the sale. That’s the kind of year-over-year returns that we can now expect from the McLaren P1.

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Why it matters

Should I have been surprised about this or was it naive for me to believe that the McLaren P1’s value wouldn’t appreciate as fast as it has? On one hand, I am because the model itself is still relatively new. On the other hand, it’s become pretty clear to everyone who knows about the P1 that this car, together with the Ferrari LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder, is all sorts of special. The fact that it’s also limited to just 375 units and that it has acquisition conditions makes owning it more difficult than those “regular” supercars.

All models of the P1 also sold out in quick fashion so for those who missed out on the 375 units, the only other option to buy one is on the second-hand market or in this case, in an auction. That’s a big reason why the hypercar fetched that kind of price tag. Combine the extremely limited supply with a skyrocketing demand and you have a recipe for a bidding war, which is exactly what happened at the Bonhams auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

I’m jealous that I wasn’t able to witness it because it would’ve been fun seeing grown men frantically trying to outbid each other for a car that’s only going to appreciate in value in the coming years depending on how much tender love and care it receives. Whoever ended up winning it should be cognizant of that if he hopes to one day make a profit out of it. But if he bought the car for the sheer purpose of enjoying everything it provides, then he should make the most of the distinction that comes with owning a P1 that already has quite a history of its own. Either way, I’m happy for him, as I’m sure he’s happy for himself too.

McLaren P1

Read our full review on the McLaren P1 here.