Ferrari LaFerrari vs Mclaren P1 vs Porsche 918

This article puts some p1 ring time claims into doubt and, as predicted, now they've been sold out we start to know the truth about it.

 

Thanks.

Reading the article now.

But even before I'm finished: Where's Chris Harris!? Anyone heard from him lately regarding the 918?

Ok, had to get that out the way. Lol. Here's a quote, regarding something many have argued here on behalf of the 918 to the surprising chagrin and bewilderment of others:

"‘The quality just shines through, doesn’t it?’ remarks Jethro, who also thinks it shares the Carrera GT’s car-as-art execution and consequently looks more expensive than the McLaren, despite costing around £200k less. Henry Catchpole, who’s just rolled up in the P1 but wastes no time trying the Porsche on for size, is just as impressed: ‘The depth of quality is palpable in everything you touch, and that big sweeping arc of a centre console with its incredibly legible Kindle-like infotainment display makes the P1’S EFFORT – quite sculptural in isolation- LOOK A BIT PUNY"

I always thought that was pretty apparent (via photo or in person), and a definite feather in the cap of the 918, especially considering we've seen better looking 918's than the Evo test car. In reality, most 918's are not going to cost 200K lbs less than P1's. So yes, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but we get the point they're making (the 918 looks more expensive, better finished though it has a cheaper retail price).

Funny: Authors still believed (or at least relayed) McLaren Ring Record Claim at beginning of article. Must be an English Rag Right Of Passage. So this should make their conclusions at the end, even more legitimate (if what we're hearing is true).

Still reading; very early in the article

 

"So did we do it, did we complete a sub 7 min lap? Yes, of course" (c)

LOL

 

WT Dooms earlier EVO Quote (and the one directly following it):

"What transpires is this: on these exacting Welsh roads, the 918 Spyder has the P1’s number. In a straight line, the Porsche doesn’t just match the McLaren’s accelerative punch, it feels half as exciting again with a feral top-end race-car scream that animates neck-hair like a field of wheat in a stiff breeze and simply ferocious torque-gorged push from what seems like zero revs. When Henry gets to sample it, he’s as blown away as Harry and me, declaring the 918 ‘monstrously quick with gearshifts that are so fast you feel they might not even have happened’.

Moreover, the Porsche feels so planted, so calm and so secure on the Triangle, you can exploit its unhinged violence more frequently and for longer. The steering is much heavier than the P1’s and feels a little less alert about the straight-ahead. But it has great feel and precision on lock and lets you know exactly what the front end’s doing which, in turn, engenders a feeling of absolute confidence the P1 never quite nails."

The next three paragraphs are similar (where I am right now in the article)--in kudos of 918 driving dynamics over the P1. However, for copyright purposes, I didn't include them.

 

Here's another quote WT Doom (or some one was posting):

"The Porsche is heavier and feels it. The steering requires much more force, it’s slightly more reluctant on the way into turns and it just doesn’t quite have the P1’s freakish levels of response. But the engine. Wow, the engine. The 4.6-litre V8 is so sharp at the top end but with the electrical boost it feels like a 10 litre in the mid-range. The throttle response is stunning and the instant, precise, scalpel-sharp power is of such quality. The P1 has terrifying theatre but the 918’s drivetrain is more polished and gives an even greater sense of urgency. "

They're two more relatively long, juicy paragraphs after that (and continuing on the track performance theme) for its' conclusion.

 

918 trumps the P1 again. Unsurprising.

 

Just read it myself. The result was a bit of a surprise, but what surprised me most was that the P1 failed to stun our own countrymen! Too bad that Ferrari isn't interested in comparisson tests.

PS: The lack of track laptimes was a disappointment!!!

 

More quotes

What transpires is this: on these exacting Welsh roads, the 918 Spyder has the P1’s number.

The sheer coherence of the chassis – the way the damping and brakes (with built-in regen but fine pedal feel) support the astonishing drivetrain – is almost spooky. Jethro’s a huge fan of the P1 but concedes that, for road driving at least, the 918 Spyder’s appeal is irresistible: ‘It feels so, so fast – faster than the P1 more of the time, perhaps because the higher electrical capacity does a better job of boosting low and mid-range response. Even in terms of outright pace it feels a match for the P1, especially when you find that last few millimetres of throttle travel. With all that instant power you can feel the four-wheel drive working to dig you out of corners, with maybe just the suggestion of oversteer. The gearbox is also stunning, and it doesn’t have that annoying surge between shifts that some DCTs do during full-bore shifts. It’s another area where it beats the P1, and soon you start to realise that these little elements are beginning to stack up in the Porsche’s favour.’

It may have turned up late, but the Porsche leaves with the laurels.

So that's top gear magazine and evo

 

The most revealing detail about the P1 is Vivian's description of it while on the road and with the car not in race mode.

The car loses a significant amount of its wow factor when it's at normal ride height, and that seems to leave enough room for the 918's raw mechanical ability and presence to win the crew over while on the roads of north Wales.

Can't wait for someone to throw the LaF into the mix. The 918 and the LaF both seem to have their road manners very finely tuned. I am interested to see how their characteristics affect the journo's keystrokes...

 

Next time when McLaren decide to compete with the big boys, will need more hard work and less talking.
What a great day for all the people who tried to tell you that marketing and real life are diff things.
Game, set and match! This tread may rest in peace from now on

 

WT Dooms earlier EVO Quote:

"What transpires is this: on these exacting Welsh roads, the 918 Spyder has the P1’s number. In a straight line, the Porsche doesn’t just match the McLaren’s accelerative punch, it feels half as exciting again with a feral top-end race-car scream that animates neck-hair like a field of wheat in a stiff breeze and simply ferocious torque-gorged push from what seems like zero revs. When Henry gets to sample it, he’s as blown away as Harry and me, declaring the 918 ‘monstrously quick with gearshifts that are so fast you feel they might not even have happened’.

Note: Evo's (in an English Sort of way), is stating the 918 is at least 50% more exciting than the P1, for those that would misconstrue the sentence.

It can certainly come off as different in print (or taken a different away) by some. That is true WT Doom; please note, be aware.

 

... And all this without a gimmick button ...

 

You mean this quote:

"After one lap of the Triangle, though, I have to conclude that, DENIED IT'S TRACK-OPTIMISED ride height, massively stiffened suspension and full 600kg of downforce, the P1 is a SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT PROPOSITION. By any standard, its sense of purpose is unparalleled, its afterburner-like thrust overwhelming and addictive."

Some of us, described it a PARTY TRICK several weeks or months ago (to the chagrin/hand wringing of some), and I'm glad EVO noted it/that aspect as well.

 

EVERYTHING we've known or surmised about the 918, EVO has given confirmation and summary. Year, Months on end of bickering, of opinion on counter opinion. A lot of care was put into this article as to not appear critical of the P1. Walking a tightrope detailing it being monstrously capable and fast, and its "shortcomings" (relative to the 918) thereby making it second best. Example: P1 is the pick for track obsessed owner/fanboy, but not for performance reasons (because P1 won't outrun or outmaneuver the 918) or it being more thrilling. What? You ask. If you want a hypercar for the track, get the P1 (based on it being, as we now know for sure, ~225-250lbs lighter, and a bit less understeer--the 'more responsive' sentiment, but apparently the better choice for track is MOSTLY because of its general sense of being lighter (a 'freakish response' afforded likely due primarily to 'Race Mode' (though not engine, because there's still 'shocking' lag)...well, it is lighter). BUT, having said all that, it does not have a performance advantage where it 'should'. 918 has better steering, supremely stable chassis + wonderful brakes (surprise), more mechanical grip down low while giving up nothing on high speed bananas (despite all that old rambling "with so much downforce, 918 won't see which way it went" etc). Access to the violence more frequently and for longer. What about 'Race Mode' away from a race track as we've all been arguing about? 2.8 inch ride, 600kg downforce? Largely irrelevant on the road, (and at race track), 918's "only" ~650lbs downforce clearly plenty and used to full affect.

In outright performance on both Track and Road, 918 has P1's number. On hugely important factors for Road driving, subjective delivery, 918 has P1's number. All the little things (Stunning engine and tranny, superb steering, fit/finish, balance and stability, engine noise) that add up to make 918 a winner. From massive P1 lover Bovingdon: "918 Feels so, so fast. Faster than the P1 for more of the time". To sum up, "massive fun". "it gives you everything clean and true" "the technology/electronics almost invisible" "you just drive..."

Incredible car. Massive achievement indeed

 

And yet, AND YET, there will be some 'reason,excuse,explanation,spin' soon enough.

 

What I find interesting is: They're using the P1's apparent instability (in it's steering, drive train and handling), and using it as a positive, calling it more alive, giving it lighter feel.

But even EVO was honest enough to say, that doesn't make it better, more drivable, and exciting than the 918.

Earlier arguments confirmed indeed.

And I agree, they took careful precision to make sure this article wasn't an absolute wipe out for the 918, unless you can read between the lines, and/or remember what they mentioned earlier.

 

Maven where does it say more alive ? It states that nowhere .

 

Yeah, why can't P1 fans boys, just fess up and say, "hey they [McLaren] built a nice vehicle indeed". However, when you compare it to the 918, it's just not in the same league". Lol.

I say that because/In a nutshell: The 918 can DO EVERYTHING THE P1 CAN DO (on both Road and Track), while it has a better engine, chassis, transmission, technology, build, electrical range, and practicality on the road. It even sounds better/is more thrilling--do to it's engine and top down ability.

Evo even enjoyed the all electric mode (and distinctly pointed it out), which quite honestly, the P1 barely has.

 

It did stun your countrymen...just in isolation.

Yes, the lack of track times was disappointing, but at this point in the media hypercar wars it came as no surprise.

 

Which post are you talking about Doom?

 

No lap times in the digital version of the article. Anyone have the printed magazine to confirm lack of lap time?

 

'Race Mode' allows P1 to have 'freakish' response at race tracks. Super stiff damping, ultra low ride, and 600kg of downforce. The 'response' afforded by Race is the only real advantage P1 has over 918, and it's limited to race tracks Also, even though 918 has roughly half of the amount p1 has in Race, at the track, 918 sill lives with it on the high speed stuff. Go figure

 

Evo article was a great read, well-deserved of the 918. Notice how they also point out how much more quality there is over the feel of the 918's interior.

 

OH OK. I see.

That wasn't a quote, just a quick summary (with three different elements they discussed).

Regarding the P1:

Basically, they were saying the P1's steering is lighter (making it respond faster vs heavier steering of 918)? Note: This is something you've pointed out in the past, that some owners or prospective owners confuse. Of course, the 918's steering was also considered more precision by them.

They called the power delivery of the drive train uneven.

And they called the handling, less predictable.

At that same time, these elements were used as positives, as some sort of drama, dramatic driving elements of the P1 (to scrape up any compliments in light of the 918 comparison).

Hope that clarifies?

 

Yes but to me alive is wholly positive and I just wanted to confirm that was your own assessment and not what's written