MCLAREN 720S OR 488

To SoCal to az- Just on this page, in a reply to Clembo, you called his post " dumb" and "childish". To Exoticardreamer, your response was filled with sarcasm and likewise to me. May I suggest to keep in mind the discussion here revolves around expensive toys whose only purpose is to put smiles on the faces of those who indulge.

 

Thanks. Well said.

 

The speed of 720S is serious. I think even the 488 GTO won't run faster than this in straight race. Look at this video :

 

For comparison, from the same channel, the 488 (ok, it is a spider). Also beats the P10D with Ludicrous.....just!

720 no doubt quicker than GTB but GTO will be interesting.

 

The thing that both the 720 and the 488 struggle with is the early torque of the electric motor on the Tesla. Around town and smaller drags that gives a really usable 'punch'.

My 15 year old son had a birthday last weekend and he wanted to take our family go-karting (his plan was to finally beat his dad...). My wife booked it at a place we haven't been before and they had electric karts. At first I was a bit sniffy about electric karts but they were absolutely great - quick, responsive, great torque (helped me beat his time despite the extra pounds I have collected over the years!). Not once did I miss the noise, I was just focused on using whatever tactic I could find to win!

 

Electric powertrains are the future. It is what it is. I'm patiently awaiting EV exotics.

 

No (initial) intention to derail this thread from its title... but if there is a competitor that would get my interest, it would be more probably the Porsche GT2RS, having just crushed the Huracan Nurburgring lap time, rather than the 720S and its numerous drag race victories.
And unlike Lamborghini who admitted the Huracan time was achieved with the help of custom made tyres (from Pirelli), apparently Porsche claims they used the specific Michelin tyres that are to be fit as standard on the GT2 RS.

 

Well I guess that's true that the newer car will typically beat the older one. But the newest 488 is outperformed by the 720S in every aspect. At the beginning of McLaren everybody here laughed. The reactions have progressed from defiance to resignation and now to acceptance that they've caught up and surpassed. The Ferrarista fallback position most often taken now is that we are still on top regarding engine note and emotion though. But what happens with the sound when we all go electric and McLaren continues to build even more exciting and emotional designs?

 

When the 488 came out it was at the top of its class in all aspects. The 720 is two years newer than the 488; it would be bizarre if it didn't post higher numbers. Ferrari pays attention equally to performance and emotions. Their current car is just older. Things will turn the other way when the new Ferrari comes out. Rinse and repeat ad infinitum...

 

Not sure why people are surprised a competing McLaren is faster than it's Ferrari competitor. They've ALWAYS been faster...

650 / 458
675 LT / 458 Speciale
720S / 488

Yet people continue to buy Ferrari's and many other exotics. Drive what moves you, whichever car that may be.

 

In all these cases the Macca was the newer car.

 

I agree with you, I was just trying to point out that a McLaren (720S) being faster than a competing Ferrari (488) is nothing "new" at all.

 

Just goes to show you that Ferrari is not the king of the hill that it once was. Lately every time it gets there it gets blasted off. 488 GTO and 770LT, which do you think will rule? See what I mean?

 

Not really. Your definition of rule seems to be a dragrace. It's far from my definition.

 

Da thing is, dat definition of rule can be very subjective so I don't see how it seems to be a dragrace. Now if your definition of rule is something other dan performance and handling, den I stand corrected. Can you shed some light on what da definition of rule is from your point of daview?

 

No, I don't see what you mean. Competition was always strong that is the way that the game all along. Back in the '80s when a new version of the Diablo was lauched it was quicker than the corresponding Testarossa and vice-versa when a new 512 came out. The newer car will be quicker than the older ones; it's called progress.

 

It looks like your letter "d" is stuck. Just fyi.

 

My English is not da best water king, but thanks for da heads up.

 

What I mean is that it doesn't seem to me anymore that Ferrari is leading the way. It's more like they are one step behind now with every new model and will be until they decide to update their supercar chassis development from flexible "heavy" alloy to stiff lightweight composites. If they don't use alloy for their premium calling card, aka the LaFerrari, what reason do they have for using it in the 488? Cost savings? When will Marchionne see the light that Ferrari's cutting edge product development is slipping because of his "higher volumes vision" and the exclusivity image is starting to erode. Playing catchup is not enough, the whole engineering and marketing mentality has to change, and soon. There are other hungry manufacturers out there, ready to do what it takes to be on top.

 

Valentino in his previously poor English, but suddenly in his new articulate command of the language, does have a point. Simply continually increasing HP should not be the primary go to with every new model. Increasing rigidity of the chassis, while reducing overall weight is where new technology should be focussed. While more power is welcome, making the car feel lighter, more nimble, more manoeverable is evident at all speeds and provides a heightened and more thrilling driving experience.

Since Ferrari has become a public entity, beholden to shareholder value, often comes with a compromise between innovation, exclusivity and profit expansion.

 

Ferrari leads the way when it launches a new model. Then another manufacturer launches a newer model and claims performance leadership. It's a continuous arms race.

Regarding the chassis, there are advantages in using aluminium. It's easier to repair and has proven its longevity for example. Halo cars such as the LaFerrari are a different story altogether. The rumoured new platform will also be made out of aluminium; Ferrari has invested heavily in this construction method.

 

Aluminum chassis is easier to repair... that's a consideration to you huh? So of you're involved in an accident so violent that it damages your chassis you're going to consider reparing your car???

I think you're desperately grasping at straws here. I know I'd much rather have a chassis that is FAR stringer, stiffer, lighter weight and in the event something serious happens I'd feel better knowing I'm in the safest material but that's just me

And about "longevity", you have concerns about it in a car that most hold for maybe 3 years but seeing how is used often in today's fighter planes and commercial airliners you still think your concerns are valid there? Perhaps you can point is towards your basis of concern?

 

These are throw away cars. Who cares about the guy buying your car 20 years later?

Take the material that's best, enjoy it, then if it falls apart in 20 years scrap it.

I'm not paying 300k just so some dude in 2037 has a car. I want the best of the best in the moment.

 

I disagree with basically all your points here except that Ferrari will continue to use Aluminum.

 

Thats exactly what I am looking for in an exotic- easy to repair and longevity. Since I have yet to be in an accident and I keep my cars less than 2 years, these factors could not be less relevant. Give me the lightest, most rigid chassis and I could care less whether it is easy to repair or lasts decades if it compromises mass and rigidity.