McLaren MP4-12C vs Ferrari 458 Italia [video]

Posted by Victor Ivanov on 05 July 2011, 05:07 PM

Tiff Needel and Jason Plato tested the staggering McLaren MP4-12C and the best Ferrari ever made – 458 Italia. In the episode of Fifth Gear, both cars are carefully examined and driven to their limits.

McLaren MP4-12C is powered by a 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 with 600PS (441 kW) and 600Nm (443 lb-ft). 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.3 s (3.1 seconds with special Corsa tires) and the top speed is 330 km/h (205 mph). 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) - 9.1 seconds.

McLaren MP4-12C has MonoCell carbon-fiber chassis, which weighs just 75kg and the whole car is 1301kg.

The engine is mated to a 7-speed SSG gearbox with three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track.

It is priced at $229 000.

On the other hand, the 458 Italia has a naturally aspirated 4.5 liter V8 with 570PS at 9000RPM and 540Nm at 6000RPM. This makes the incredible 127 hp/liter from naturally aspirated engine.

458 Italia is 80 kilos more than the MP4-12C - 1380 kg. Still it achieves a power-to-weight ratio of 2.42 kg/hp. 0-100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds a top speed of 325 km/h.

Which is best? Check out the video!