These cars are extremely different from a driving experience, so can you help me understand what factors make this a relevant comparison? I can see more relevant comparisons to the Alfa Romeo T33 Stradale from the 60s or easily the McLaren F1. The powertrain, driver positioning, driving experience, and handling are very different as is the cost. I would also guess the terminal value of both will also be very different.
If you think about the Artura, it's not really a valid comparison either - McLaren positions it in a lower range compared to the 296; although they obviously differ in design, the McLaren competition for the 296 is currently the 750S.
Can we focus on their designs? My two favorite cars are simple and clean. Where did McLaren come from?
“Positioning” doesn’t matter to me. There is literally no better direct comparison for the 296 than the Artura. They’re essentially the same car. The 750S is similar is price and performance, but isn’t a hybrid and uses a TT V-8.
The thread title seemed to imply the comparison between cars... in most of the cases, it's not about comparing shapes but rather between cars that people may consider as alternative answers to what they're looking for, i.e. cars sharing a similar brief (such as 4-door sedan, 2-seat mid-engine, etc...) and similar prices. That's where McLaren comes in against Ferrari. Of course any other comparisons are possible, but they are harder to define.
At the time of the F430, the competition was the Lambo Gallardo with its V10 and not the Alfa Romeo 8C with its V8. At least that's the way I see it, and I would not have said there was no better comparison for the F430 than the Alfa 8C.
Does it matter that one car costs 6x the price, has 1/100th volume and was sold out in 48 hours 3 years ago? Or are we just comparing any 2 door car that has 4 wheels and goes fast? If so let’s do a 296 vs Hennessey Mustang next. /s
Since were doing fantasy land comparison just add the Bugatti La Voiture Noire or the 777 hypercar or many others. If your comparing apples usually a good idea to compare to other apples.
I would rather have the T.50 than a collection of the 296, SF90 and a TdF. Ok, but if you threw in a LaFerrari, I might reconsider.
