Drag race: McLaren MP4-12C vs. Ferrari 458 and Porsche 997 Turbo

Here's an interesting drag race between the McLaren MP4-12C, Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche 911 Turbo. Hardly a definitive result, however, interesting to watch nonetheless. Most likely shot during the recent MP4-12C media event in Portimao, Portugal.

Just yesterday McLaren finally divulged the MP4-12C's specifications. With a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces a total of 600 PS (441 kW / 592 bhp) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque, the MP4-12C does the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 3.3 seconds (3.1 with special Corsa tires) and has a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) comes in at 9.1 seconds, 8.9 with the Corsa racing tires.

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GTurbo

Stuff dreams are made of!

February 15, 2011 4:02 pm

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vanquert

you can see the porche starts off last, and the mp4 14c first. It would have been better with a start off with some lights or something. But cool anyway!

February 15, 2011 4:10 pm

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1 reply

scratchy996

it was McLaren's show , of course they let their car win. they didn't even bother to bring a 997 turbo S.

February 15, 2011 11:25 pm

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radmeister

I wonder why they didn't use a GT2-RS...Roughly the same price as the other 2, and roughly the same power. I donno there is just something about this car, I thought i would never see the day when you would put a Porsche 911 beside a McLaren and the McLaren would be the boring one. Sure it has good performance figures and will be deadly fast on the track...But it looks like it should of been a Lotus instead of a McLaren..I donno, looks dated even in comparison to the 1995 F1. In that aspect this car seems to be a massive let-down.

February 15, 2011 4:14 pm

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2 replies

RobERob

Geez... I can't understand why so many are disappointed with my baby. Sorry, but the comparison to Lotus I just don't see. It looks like a smaller F1 threw and threw, imho. Give it some time, perhaps? Anyway, I just faved this video. Mclaren, ftw!

February 15, 2011 5:07 pm

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buruchaga

Yes this car has a lotus look and have observed it closely. An ash color would do enough justice for appeal.

February 16, 2011 1:37 am

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NoobUK

poor mclaren. starts to early and then isnt faster as the porsche with less 100 hp ! take the gt2 rs and start identical! mclaren wont have any chance

February 15, 2011 4:16 pm

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4 replies

RobERob

No way buddy. The suck azz driver in the Porsche simply didn't launch the vehicle when given the signal. You could see the Mclaren launched at just the right time, while the driver in the Porsche waited until half a car length behind. Had I been the driver, wouldn't matter what car I drove. All I would've seen were two cars in my rearview, because I'm that good! It's a drivers race. bILLIONAIRE and Shumy: You guy's must get a lot of women with a sense of humor like that! Keep winning dummy ...I mean Shumy.

February 15, 2011 4:59 pm

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vanquert

wow you're the biggest douche..

February 15, 2011 11:43 pm

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yalmutawa

shame ! i was expecting allot more from the mclaren !

February 16, 2011 11:10 am

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Shumy

RobERob, looser

February 17, 2011 12:21 pm

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Lithuanian

I can only agree about gt2 rs. However, having new Nissan GT-R would make this drag race even more interesting. Now it looks like viral video. :/

February 15, 2011 4:43 pm

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cAR_crazy

It would be helpful to know whether the MP4 in the video has the optional corsa tires on. That way it would then be easier to tell whether the McLaren's traction and launch control is superior to the Italia's. And yes, I second adding the GT2-RS and the GTR to this race. It will showcase how completely different all these cars are engineered.

February 15, 2011 5:15 pm

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catchmyshadow

How slow did the Porsche driver react plz? He reminds me of this old dude here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhcohHMTURQ

February 15, 2011 5:19 pm

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jerry05cod4

I feel special watching an unlisted video...anyways, the sound is epic!

February 15, 2011 9:56 pm

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sebb427

irre.

February 15, 2011 10:24 pm

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scratchy996

why not the turbo S ?

February 15, 2011 11:23 pm

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dayday

Should have brought a Turbo S. In that case, prosche will still win even if it starts the last... (2.9s is just crazy for a stock standard porsche 911)

February 16, 2011 12:20 am

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smallq

why why not the turbo s its even so much cheaper

February 16, 2011 12:41 am

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GSS5

Get a Turbo S in there, which is still A LOT cheaper than the other two and goodbye McLaren and Ferrari. Just amazing what Porsche can do.

February 16, 2011 12:44 am

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davidmclaren

hahaha ferrari reminds me of a honda civic with an exhaust modification. only sound and no go........ mclaren ftw!

February 16, 2011 1:25 am

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ADCAR

if you look closely Mclaren moved first

February 16, 2011 1:26 am

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davidmclaren

it moved at the right time if im not mistaken

February 16, 2011 1:29 am

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tomita1981

one race. and with one driver having quicker response time then the others. you shouldn't wet yourselfes yet. btw, that particular porsche is not the one to pit in this challenge.

February 16, 2011 2:43 am

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Dragos_DreS

wow what a jump start LOL

February 16, 2011 4:03 am

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tom43

All what I can see is that the acceleration of all three cars is nearly identical...

February 16, 2011 4:07 am

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bmw2002m

That McLaren is fast! I still think they should have used a 911 GT2 RS or a Turbo S for the race. Car magazine show that the the standing kilometer is identical to the Macca F1 and it is slightly faster over the quarter of a mile than the F1 - incredible. Now we need to see what it will do around the Nurburgring....driven by an independent driver and officially timed.

February 16, 2011 5:31 am

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