NZ car fanatic orders $1.8m hybrid McLaren P1 ... with Kiwi logos

Luke Neuberger of Giltrap Group McLaren with the McLaren P1 sold for around $1.8 million. Picture / Jason Oxenham

British manufacturer McLaren has delivered a $1.8 million hypercar to a New Zealand citizen complete with bespoke Kiwi logos that pay tribute to the brand's roots.

The jet-black, hybrid McLaren P1, which can rocket from 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds, has arrived in Auckland and is turning heads at McLaren's Grey Lynn showroom. Just 375 of the flagship McLaren P1s, which feature ground-breaking technology pioneered in Formula One cars driven by some of the world's top drivers such as Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button, will be made.

But only one comes with tailor-made Kiwis stitched into the seats, and painted on to the lightweight carbon-fibre bodywork.

"The Kiwi logos - a homage to McLaren's roots - were something requested by the owner," said Luke Neuberger, sales manager at McLaren Auckland, which has secured the orders of three McLaren P1 hypercars for wealthy clients.

The owner of the first McLaren P1 to arrive in the country wants to stay anonymous, Mr Neuberger said. He is a New Zealand citizen but lives overseas.

"He's just mad about cars and he just wants people to enjoy seeing it as well," Mr Neuberger said.

McLaren P1s start at $1.7 million but the final cost depends on how much customisation buyers want.

Bruce McLaren was the youngest-ever winner of a Grand Prix in 1959 while driving for the famous Cooper marque. He went on to build his own racing cars, which all featured a "speedy Kiwi" logo.

McLaren P1
• Power: 903 bhp
• Torque: 900 nm
• Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine coupled to electric motor
• Top speed: Electronically limited to 350km/h
• Acceleration: 0-300km/h in 16.5 seconds