LaFerrari vs McLaren P1: hybrid supercar twin test review (2014)

CAR was the first magazine in the world to twin-test the McLaren P1 against the LaFerrari. Two of the world's fastest hybrid supercars go head to head. Enjoy the video!

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CAR is the online edition of CAR magazine, Britain's oldest monthly motoring mag. It's the UK's best and fastest online motoring news service, providing a constant stream of scoops, first drives and official pictures of new cars.

[VX]

I'm tired of all the comments arguing about which one is best and which one is fastest. Can't we all just stop and realize that supercars aren't made for that. Like Jeremy Clarkson said, it doesn't matter how fast a car goes, but how fast it makes your heart go. Deciding which one is best is basically pointless. These cars are made to bring joy to those who love cars and all of them do one hell of a job. It's all in the opinion of each individual. And in my dream garage, both the P1 and LaFerrari would be there.

[Mr]

I'll take 918 for a track days, P1 for my daily drive, and the LaFerrari for VVIP meeting. No doubt three of these cars own their own special charactor. I love the luxury design of the 918 inside out, awesome engineering of the P1, and Ferrari high revving engine symphony make me feel like an orchestra for the supercars world.. With more than just that :)

[carnut]

I still prefer the P1, it's just really desirable.

[ferengoid]

What's wrong with liking both cars? They're both amazing yet different expressions of hybrid technology - both possess mind-numbing performance which qualifies them as Hypercars.

IMO, take either on a track day with amateur drivers and you won't be able to see much difference - they'll kill every other exotic except the Porsche 918 of course. :)

What a great era this is for performance cars!

[drepark]

Seems like you guys are not aware of Ferrari' media manipulation. Whenever their is a Ferrari it's going to win. Not because Ferraris are always the better car (they aren't. In fact many times they send maxed out cars to the test and then their customers wonder why they can't duplicate the results in the real world. But because the magazines know if Ferrari doesn't win they will throw a bitch for and not let the magazine review any new Ferraris. Just read what Chris Harris said about Ferraris bull shit. It's clear that the Ferrari can't hang with the p1 in this video. The p1 is on power the laferrari is sliding around. But these days no one thinks for themselves.

[JeDxDeVu]

Im not really sure you can say which one is better. They're different concepts. You can favor one over they other but to say better? hmm its too subjective. :) they both look proper on edge when they floor it. :)

[turboman]

Be careful not to say anything hurtful about Ferrari or they won't allow you to review their cars LOL

[honerakrawi]

What is all this discussion about a drag race ? what happened to the car racing community ? are we back to the 90s were straight line performance is of essens, they spend millions and millions of dollars to make the cars perform like no other and you Maclaren fanboys are putting the performance of a straight line as the important part of the review, every hillbilly with a 1500hk engine on what ever car can go fast on a straight line, but paying over 1 million euros for a hyper car and it understeers and has turbo lag is a big failure, it also got out perfomred by the 918 Porsche ? I have always been a big fan of Maclaren but the P1 is unfortunatley not as good as the LaFerrari and this is not the only review stating that. 

[thebowhunter]

P1 is where it is at. I fell in love with it right when I saw it

[ComradeBadman]

P1 fan boys are making me laugh with theyre defensive tears. The LaFerrari has been chosen as the best car in several reviews by some of the best automotive reviewers in the world. Im positive that LaFerrari is faster on a track as well based on the feedback from reviews about how balanced and manageable it is not forgetting how it understeers less than the p1 and has no turbo to provide lag. LaFerrari wins, the prancing horse will never die.

[ayrtonatif]

A very obvious reason why there was no drag race and even before i start watching the video i knew Laperrari would win cuz no car jurno and car mag would want to be banned from reviewing/testing Perrari.

[rousseau]

The more emotional and enticing driving experience: LaFerrari. The driving experience for those who admire complex and advanced technology: P1. Looks like nothing's changed between these two manufacturer's rivalry.

[kpwhitton]

"There was only one winner: LaFerrari" couldn't have said it better myself!

[michalpravenec]

gave me chills this vid. Man I wish I could drive one of those cars someday :-)

[sodazman]

I obviously haven't driven either car but from what I can tell, the LaFerrari is better to drive overall, especially on the road with that NA V12 which also has a much nicer engine note. In terms of actual performance, the LaFerrari is probably a touch quicker in a straight line but the P1 makes twice the downforce (as much as the FXX K) so it will be very close on the track. I'd love to have a go in either of them.
 

[Dgannt]

It was expected as Ferrari has a longer experience from building fantastic road cars. 458, Speciale and LaF, all have shown that Ferrari is ahead of it's competitors. And these are cars with no huge wings or diffusers.
LaF would easily win a drag race too. P1 could barely catch 918 in a drag race. It was after a long time and only after speeds above 150 miles/h that it caught 918. 

[scottab]

That instant correct when you drift for over correction is fantastic.

[MrYetiASX]

I was totally expecting that, good job Ferrari.

Fun to see all the P1 fan after the defeat on track against the 918 (don't speak to me about Tropheo Tyres, 5 laps duration...) and the defeat on road again LaFerrari.

Denis says a lot of things, but in real...

The third place of the 650S against Gt3 and Speciale isn't enough for you ?


Kiding, but still fun to see...

[MConv]

Both are amazing cars but everyone knows that the P1's party trick is Race mode on the track.
That's the thing which transforms the car and gives the driver an experience that nothing else can match.

The road part is a bit of a Red Herring as unlike in the video driving these cars flat out on public roads will get you into serious trouble.

[Fermion]

P1 looks like an alien :) It's amazing. Ferrari, however, is a beautiful car as well :)