Thursday 28th November 2013

Chris Harris video: 911 Turbo vs McLaren 12C

Two twin-turbo heavyweights in a classic England vs Germany showdown, Harris as ref

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Some people assume that the inexorable price increase of the Porsche Turbo could probably form the basis of some inflationary index, but of course the opposite is the truth. In the late 80s, and even more so in the 90s, the poster-Porsche was a very, very expensive car. It wasn't until the gorgeous 996 version that a force-fed 911 offered such startling value for money, hence the reason it sold in such large numbers.

Well, the 991 Turbo marks a return to the model's lower-volume, higher-priced past.

As we've already said, the policy appears to have worked. The 991 Turbo is both far more enjoyable to drive and more characterful than the old 997, but it is also now stuck in a kind of pricing no-man's land. Significantly above your heavily specced Carreras it's but a few score shy of even more serious machinery.

The Turbo used to be the car that demolished supposedly faster and more exotic machinery, but the latest junior supercars are now so much more usable that they surely make the case for the Turbo less compelling.

To investigate this further, we spent a week in a McLaren 12C and the new Turbo S. This was no hardship.

Enjoy the vid.

 

 

 

[rampageturke2]

did someone have a stroke at the start of the article

[DB89]

I'd love both of these wonderful machines. Has APOLO1 seen that drag race yet?

[APOLO1]

Chris Great Vid,

Why did you not use launch control on both cars. Also was the TTS in sport plus mode, missive diff not just in torque but throttle map....I have done this test and if all the tts assets are used, its faster to 120.....Along with the 12C-SP as tested in that Colour is listed at 243k if it has CCBDs, the TTS as tested is 142k.....100k Diff......

Edited by APOLO1 on Wednesday 27th November 20:51

[Dan Trent]

rampageturke2 said:

did someone have a stroke at the start of the article

Oops! Nope, just holding copy/gibberish. Now dealt with.

Cheers!

Dan

[GRBF430F1]

1 - 0 to England. Porsche is a very good sports car but its not a supercar IMHO

[MikeGoodwin]

Did not expect the 12C to rinse the Porka like it did. That must be one properly fast machine!

[Mermaid]

MikeGoodwin said:

Did not expect the 12C to rinse the Porka like it did. That must be one properly fast machine!

Absolutely. However, I know I can get a Porsche warranty for 9 years - not sure about the 12C, and I can imagine parts/repairs would be expensive.

[toppstuff]

The Porsche is a a lovely thing, but I am disappointed in it.

It's clearly a step forward from the 997 but it's still not enough to be interesting.

I see that EVO still preferred the GT-R even though the big Datsun is 5 years old now.

The McLaren is in a different class.

[BlackpoolRock]

Another top video Chris. I enjoy the Harris on cars videos more than any other motoring programmes. Keep em coming Chris.

[IMI A]

Good video. Macca still needs better styling but completely put the turbo in its place. V.impressed. I'd still have a 458 though

[HorneyMX5]

The 991 is an ugly beast when lined up next to the 12c which is looking better as it ages.

[big_rob_sydney]

I'd love to see the Nismo GTR, or a Litchfield GTR, as they would both be cheaper, faster, and I suspect, would come out on top.

[s2000db]

You've ruined Apolo's day lol....

[Urban Sports]

Tractor had no chance in the drag race.

[Dblue]

APOLO1 said:

Chris Great Vid,

Why did you not use launch control on both cars. Also was the TTS in sport plus mode, missive diff not just in torque but throttle map....I have done this test and if all the tts assets are used, its faster to 120.....Along with the 12C-SP as tested in that Colour is listed at 243k if it has CCBDs, the TTS as tested is 142k.....100k Diff......

Edited by APOLO1 on Wednesday 27th November 20:51

Mate, they are both in max attack mode and the slowest Mac is just faster than the fastest Porsche (Until the 918 arrives) it really is.Did you not just watch it ??

The Turbo is a fine car but its not as quick as the 12C. And yes, the 12C costs a lot more but the Turbo is a lot of money for a car that looks not entirely unlike a £45k Boxster. And I say that as a lover of all things 911.

[deltashad]

That was great to watch. The Mclaren is gorgeous and somehow much better looking in the metal than on videos and pictures.
The speeds looked massive on the track.

As capable as the Porsche is the looks really don't do it for me. And they are way too common a sight.

Thanks for the vid

[TomTVR500]

I know the drag race is a small and relatively insignificant part of the test but for the record it did look like the 12C jumped the start.

Anyway, yet another fantastic and very entertaining review. Both are equally stunning cars, I would give my left arm to own either. One day!

[red_slr]

If only it had been raining...

[justa1972]

Good job we are all different but to me that mclaren is just dull - it just doesn't look special enough to justify that price tag despite how good it is

Porker for me please..

[W124]

I (very) briefly drove a 12C in the summer. For the (very) brief moment I gave it the beans it felt like the fking Millennium Falcon. Absolutely nuts.