CarWow’s latest drag race pits two supercar giants against each other in a quarter-mile sprint, testing brute power and answering the million-dollar question: can the McLaren P1’s $1.6 million price tag justify its performance against the Ferrari 296 GTB’s $350,000 price? Mat Watson, CarWow’s host with the most, conducts this battle with the precision of a maestro.
The Ferrari 296 GTB storms the strip with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and 167-horsepower electric motor, making 819 horsepower and 546 lb ft of torque. At 3,461lbs it’s a lightweight hybrid, 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds, top speed over 205mph. Its red body cuts through the air like a knife and at around £241,550 ($323,966) it’s a bargain for a supercar.
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The McLaren P1, a supercar legend wrapped in carbon fiber, counters with a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 and electric motor, 900 horsepower and 664 lb ft of torque. At 3,075lbs it’s lighter than the Ferrari and its $1.6 million price reflects its rarity – only 375 were ever built. We can’t forget its 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds and 217mph top speed either.
The first round consisted of a standing quarter-mile, testing pure straight-line dominance. Both cars launch hard, but the Ferrari’s electric motor delivers instant torque, helping it surge ahead as the P1’s rear tires spin. Watson’s 296 GTB crosses first, its hybrid system lands a solid punch that leaves the McLaren behind.
A half-mile rolling race switches things up, as both vehicles start off the ground running, with the P1’s aero and power advantage taking over. In the first run it surges ahead easily, its V8 howling through the air. The second and third runs follow suit – the McLaren dominates, leaves the Ferrari behind.
So what’s the verdict? Quarter-mile times are almost identical, the Ferrari wins the first race, the P1 the second. Rolling races favor the McLaren, but the braking test goes to the 296 GTB. Beyond price, the real difference is in the driving experience.
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