Sunday 2nd July 2017

McLaren vs Porsche vs Audi: PH Video

Which is best on British roads?

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With £150,000 in your account and the want to treat yourself to something a little special, the choices are numerous - do you go for all-wheel drive or rear-wheel-drive, turbocharged or naturally aspirated, V8, V10, or flat-six?

To find out, Matt took an Audi R8 V10 Plus, Porsche 911 Turbo S and 'our' long-term McLaren 570GT to Wales. All three have over 550hp and are capable of hitting 62mph in under 3.5 seconds, but which just feels the most special? Can the Porsche's enabling 911 Turbo S be enough to see off the howl of the R8's V10 and the rewarding drive of the 570GT?

Watch the video here

 

[The Surveyor]

Nice video and I would agree with the conclusion.

That Porsche does look very special in that colour and everybody knows how great they are, the Audi just leaves me cold though. The engine is the only redeeming feature of the R8 and I think I'd want to spend a little more and have it with the drama of the Huracan body, especially if it's being compared to cars at the 570GT price point.

The only thing wrong with the 570GT is that it isn't a 570s. They are just that little bit sharper than the GT and cheaper too, compare a 570s against a 911 Turbo S and the choice is more down to brand loyalty than any real-world differences IMHO.

[The Surveyor]

Atmospheric said:

The Turbo is is such a complete car, it's actually mind-blowing.

The Tesla Model S is overhyped, but has a staggering 0-60 time due to its propulsion method, but the Turbo S keeps up and passes this.

Although a largely irrelevant drag race, its just an indicator of the depth of its ability.

The fact that is that Porsche have created a more usable, understated, multi-talented and very good looking 911TTS that can out punch 99.9 % of cars, anytime and any weather.

This is easily for me the best car in the world.

All very correct, the Turbo S is a great 'do everything well' car and if you wanted something to drive every day, in all weathers, quickly, it is the logical choice. In the £150k junior supercar bracket, most won't be daily drivers, most will be a second (or third) car for weekend, and that's when the ability to do everything starts dropping down the list of priorities.

The Turbo S does have staggering 0-60 pace, but don't dismiss the 570, especially over a slightly longer drag-race:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YOlNJrO5yM

I'd say out of these 3, if you want a car to drive daily, buy the Porsche. If you want something special for the weekend, the drama of the McLaren takes it for me.

[The Surveyor]

Resolutionary said:

dcurran said:

I read the article with interest especially having just bought an R8 V10 Plus. I'm glad PH clarified the cost differential (of the McLaren) in their subsequent article when comparing the McLaren with the NSX. I chose the R8 (basic price £135k) over the Turbo S, and clearly if I had another £30k down the back of the sofa would opt for the McLaren. Although given it's my everyday car, I think it would be a little embarrassing climbing in and out of that cabin! Having lived with the R8 for a month now, it isn't just the engine that impresses, the chassis is perfectly balanced and the gear box makes Porsche's PDK seem slow. See Chris Harris' review of the R8.

Generally quite surprised by the lack of a strong PH following concerning the R8. In it's V10 iterations it sums up a lot about what 'we' seem to want from a premium sports car; namely a large capacity N/A engine, mid-mounted with interesting styling cues. Perhaps it's a little subdued against its 570 comparison point, or not as well established as the Porsche equivalent, but I absolutely adore them and if I had the spare dosh I'd be heading to my local Audi dealer for a Plus version immediately, preferably in a totally bonkers colour.

Glad to hear you're getting on well with yours, consider me well jel.

I would say the lack of wider appreciation is is partially due to the 'Audi' brand and partially due to them being a little too good at doing all the boring stuff. All the drama associated with the amazing V10 just isn't enough (for me) to off-set the everyday styling, added to their ability to do everything so darn well makes them a perfect everyday premium sports car, but which also makes them a little too sensible to join the ranks of the junior supercar club. If you're going to use it as your daily driver, that all makes perfect sense, but if you're after something exciting for the weekend it needs an added layer of drama.