Here are the most significant parts of the comparison between the Ferrari 458 Italia and the McLaren MP4-12C done on the Isle of Man by Top Gear. No real numbers, things are all about driver's impressions and the winner at that is the Ferrari.
“…” The Ferrari 458 Italia has been lauded since its launch a few short months ago as a game-changer in the baby-supercar market, a swirly, exciting blend of pseudo-F1 technology and Italian-speaking stomach-butterflies. It is the car that the new and apex-tech MP4-12C has been designed and engineered to eclipse. "..."
Both V8s, both mid-engined two-seaters, both rear-wheel drive with electronic traction conjuration, both seven-speed double-clutch gearboxes with near identical weight distribution. Rumor has it that McLaren benchmarked the 458 in terms of performances, and tasked itself with making the MP4-12C better in every direction. So the McLaren produces 592bhp and 443lb.ft of torque from a 3.8-litre bi-turbos; the Ferrari, 562bhp and 398lb.ft from a naturally aspirated 4.5-litre. It’s pretty much the same with the performance figures. “…”
But on the road, such fine on-paper delineations are much harder to call. Both will leave your flabber-well-and-truly-gasted the first time you really allow them some room, the Ferrari almost ridiculously vocal in ‘Race’ mode, howling and screaming, gurgling and spitting on the overrun. It devours revs, a constant goad. It feels light at the fingertips, communicative, visceral, passionate. Like a proper bloody Ferrari, in other words. The paddles are huge carbon-fibre sickles mounted to the column, the view a little restricted, but by no mean bad by supercar standards. When it really winds up, it’s hard to imagine much faster this side a Veyron.
But the McLaren manages it. You can disseminate, argue and wander around the houses all you like, but the MP4-12C immediately feels faster down a real road. The mid-range avalanche from the turbos simply means that the little Mac can pull out car lengths on the 458, its block-like stability under braking and mid-corner meaning that once you get used to it, you can carry more speed, more of the time. The vision – necessary for going properly quick – is exemplary, the seating position perfect, the small, wheel-mounted paddles needing a firm yank to get them moving. And the suspension. You may think the Ferrari manages a stunning compromise between glide and go, but drive the MP4-12C properly quickly down a bumpy road, and it gets better and more composed, to the point where there appears to be no compromise.
Game over, then? Well, no. Because a ‘supercar’ isn’t just about statistical masturbation or a couple of tenths to 62mph, in the same way that losing well can be more of a victory than winning without grace. “…”
The styling seems to polarise neatly. Some prefer the lean, clean lines of the McLaren, seeing purpose and resolve in the low sweep of the nose and slash-vented haunches. The Ferrari is more sensuous, more organic, more insectile evolution than graphic design. Immediately, we’re into the realms of taste rather than objectivity. “…”
The back-and-forth continues throughout the couple of days we spend on the island. The McLaren has the more ergonomically comfortable, well-designed and slick interior, but the Ferrari has a sense of occasion missing from the MP4-12C. The car from Wokingmay have the most impressive roll-on acceleration, but the Ferrari makes such a bonkers noise – worth at least 10 imaginary mph – and as such delicious, natural throttle response, that the fact that the McLaren is actually faster doesn’t count for much. “…”
But a decision is necessary. I’d like to cop out and say that both cars offer different things and that if you’re rich enough for one, you’re probably flush enough for both, but for me it’s all about delivery. I want the McLaren to have all the engine responsiveness of the 458. I don’t want to be a ‘Ferrari owner’, and the McLaren’s obvious attention to detail and slightly mystical provenance would really count. But the turbotastic nature of the MP4-12C just doesn’t cut it. It feels faintly – and this’ll cause a few shakes of the head – faintly Nissan GT-R-ish in terms of delivery. Astonishing, but faintly industrial. It doesn’t sing. Or involve like the Ferrari. Or like a McLaren, for that matter. If the MP-12C were a naturally aspirated, operatic sliver of pure inspiration, then this would be a different story. But it never seems to be enjoying itself, so the Ferrari feels more thrilling for more of the time. To get the sense of wonder from the MP4-12C, you have to be totally engaged; the Ferrari is a huge grin-inducer under 60mph.
So we’re going to ignore the empirically ‘better’ car, and choose to take home the car that delivers a sucker punch to the soul – the Ferrari 458 Italia. Because sometimes winning isn’t just about being faster.
