Ferrari LaFerrari vs Mclaren P1 vs Porsche 918

You can always turn the electronics off in a modern supercar and try to be in full control of the beast. Be sure you know what you are doing though as its huge power and super-quick steering are always a threat to the untrained driver. Older cars were set up to be more forgiveable as there were no electronic safety nets. That's why turning the electronics off in an F12 is an act of courage, whereas in a 512 that was the order of the day. Finally, Evo magazine recently test drove all of the V8 Ferraris of the past 40 years. Their verdict was that the 458 was the most ecstatic experience of them all, with a gamut of feelings that overwhelms any driver.

"It’s on another planet and I can’t see how the 458 can be called a ‘junior’ supercar anymore.

Everything is hyper-sensitive and your synapses need to be buzzing if you’re going to try to get on top of it and drive it quickly. Throttle inputs need measuring in millimetres, less if you can manage it. Likewise the steering, which darts the front end around with almost unnerving grip. The double-clutch ’box is the best on sale today with shifts, up or down, going through seamlessly yet with maximum drama. Ferrari has also finally fitted paddles long enough to allow you to change up while still exiting a corner (and if you’re sideways too it’s about the best feeling imaginable).

The whole car seems to sit flatter and wider on the road than the 430, with roll cut out almost entirely. It is possible to unstick the rear but I can guarantee you will be trying to when it happens. Thankfully the controls are so scintillating that it’s actually quite easy to catch the breakaway and you can even ride out the slide on the throttle, but it’s an adrenalin-fuelled game. After a fast drive in a 458 you feel like you won’t sleep for days, or if you do it will be with your eyes wide open. You’d probably go base-jumping to calm down.

Metcalfe actually believes it might be too much: ‘This car lifts performance to silly levels – you really don’t need to go this quick to enjoy a junior Ferrari.’ It certainly marks a huge leap over the 430 in the same way the 348 is a big jump on from the 308 and the 360 is a massive step on from the 355. And if you had to pick the best car from these six then there’s no question that the 458 is the pinnacle, the car which delivers the biggest, most visceral, most incredible hit."
Ferrari 458 Italia supercar meets 308, 348, F355, 360 and F430 | evo

 

Latest on LaFerrari, a little bit embarasing.

Ferrari still finalizing LaFerrari hardware? [w/videos] - Autoblog

 

Great journalism. Nothing of value in that piece to be read.

 

Yes I agree. But engine sound is disapointing no?

 

The video in that link reminds me of this one.




https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=434209867347&set=vb.142273435809918&type=3&theater


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkdNFaf1d8Y[/ame]

 

Very funny to hear the passenger say (repeatedly) to the driver: "Henry, stay calm!!!" ("Hendrik, blijf rustig!!!")

 

Oh really? It's direct competitors were busy hauling ass at Goodwood. Ferrari LaFerrari nowhere to be seen.

McLaren have multiple uncamoed cars out everywhere. Ferrari has what, three camouflaged ones?

Porsche and McLaren are already on the 'Ring

 

Totally agree!

 

And so what? Since when has this become a race to have the car ready the first? As far as I know all LaF are sold so they can take their time to fine tune it if necessary. Ferrari has 3 (or more) cars running around Fiorano and the Mugello.

about the Nring, thats great. I cant be bothered by ring times anymore. They are not race cars and will never be raced. Rarely will they be pushed to close to their potential so wgaf.

 

Everybody except you perhaps?

 

I doubt it. But it's fine to live in a little fairy world.
You could survey owners of all the supercars and ask them if the fact that their car is slower in the nring than another car will motivate them to sell it. Im sure a lot are so worried about it. Esp considering that most of these cars do 500 miles or less per year, Nring time is definitely one of the most important metrics to consider when you buy these cars.

 

Ferrari has all the 499 production booked.
McLaren and Porsche have not.
Think about that and why we see P1 and 918 everywhere in the web.
I like the Mclaren guy attitude in ferrari chat, it's so funny.

Luque

 

It's interesting times. With all three trying to out do each other, more testing and upgrades will be done to the car. topping the ring's lap time among the three brands will be critical as it provides bragging rights to the winner.

 

You do not understand my point amenasce. These are not just super car. They are the maximum level of technology and performance capability that these companys can produce. They do not make these car to be second fastest. So yes, I agree with your last sentence - Nring time is definitely one of the most important metrics to consider when you buy these cars.

 

I hope this is true. Where have you learned this fact?

 

Agreed, bottom line - all 3 should be awesome cars and anyone buying one, or more, of the three is a lucky person(regardless of which car they choose). And in the end, they'll probably all have a strong point and a weak point (or maybe a few of each).

 

If Nring times are that important, I wonder if that means that each brand will roll out their top drivers for times. Alonso v Button V Rohrl?

 

Ferrari does need to do a marketing campaign for the LaFe since all are sold. Porsche and Macca still have to push several hundred cars

 

Thats nothing but a testimate to the blind faith of the ferrari faithful. Says absolutely nothing about the cars abilities or performance....

 

Nor does the LaFerrari's lack of running about. Ferrari is honing the car (today Alonso was at Fiorano testing the car), whereas the others are trying to sell it in various road shows. I regard the former approach as much more serious!

 

Well, that faith is based on a pretty good track record, wouldn't you say?

-F

 

Its always to good to have competition. And it only benefits the consumer that they are at it... At the end of the day, very few will be able to explore the limits of these cars.... because most of them are going to be sitting in someone's collection collecting dust or driven around town.... Which of course, means Ferrari sold out its LA car not because its faster or better... just more name behind it... thats all...

 

with that little number plate the centre spine works ...

Hopefully they are redesigning the shape ... still not a fan of the LaFerraris looks. Too conservative and 1990s.
Pete

 

From Ferrari's facebook: "Before leaving for Hungary Fernando Alonso was back behind the wheel of the 'LaFerrari' for the last test programme of the new car from the special limited series."

Looks like the LaFerrari is nearly finished?

 

Ferrari posted a quick clip from what was apparently Alonso's first lap in the LaF today:

https://t.co/H7XmQBizgC

Can't complain about the sound at least!