Super Car Showdown

Words: Devin Langston

One of the biggest car rivalries of the 2010-2011season has been between McLaren's near perfect MP4-12C, and Ferrari's wild horse the 458 Italia. From a standstill, each car is a beautiful curvacious masterpiece by each automaker. The MP4 was built perfectly to grip the road at high speeds, respond to road obstacles, and remain aerodynamic at the same time. The 458 was built for speed, aerodynamic stability, and to catch the eye of everyone around. Though each car has it's strong points, both of them have been highly criticized. The MP4 stamped with the badge of being a boring super car, because it feels as if it's completely computer fabricated. The first couple months of the 458 release was not very successful. Many customers were experiencing their new toy catching fire due to the high temperatures the car spews. The Issue was so bad that Ferrari had to recall several 458's and replace the heat shields. The 458 had no competitor when it was first released. It took the super car world by storm the day it was released at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. When the MP4 was released, it almost evident that it was the only formidable contender that could compete with the 458. Every repeatable car website and TV show was eager to test these two untamed beasts against each other. Still today,  there is a huge debate on which one is the better car.

The 458 Italia is the replacement to Ferrari's five year model F430. Released in 2010, the 458 is powered by a 4.5 liter V8 engine made by Ferrari. It's massive engine produces 562 horses launching the 458 to 202 mph, six miles an hour faster than the F430. Ferrari built the 458 to be one of their most aerodynamic super cars. It's huge lower grill, and gill-like openings under the headlights force air into the engine developing 570 horse power when the car is at top speed. Inside the grill you will find two black winglets that deform at high speeds to create downforce and reduce excess drag. Direct fuel injection was a first for Ferrari with this project. Before the 458, no other mid engine road going Ferrari had an engine set up of this sort. A huge problem for the F430 was that it felt stiff, and it's handling was not adequate. A new double wishbone design was implemented to the front of the vehicle, and new traction control system at the rear to improve cornering. This new system of suspension increased acceleration and handling by 32% compared to other vehicles Ferrari released. The overall design is pure poetry to the eyes. Being one of Pinifarnia most radical designs, the 458 was inspired by the Enzo was well as it's original concept car. The Italia has everything going for it with it's performance and drop dead looks to compete with any other car on the market right now. The question is, can it compete with the fine British craftsmanship of the MP4.

We all know McLaren for releasing the 240 mile an hour F1 back in 1992. Since then, they haven't really given us any thing with such magnitude until now. Though McLaren faded into the limelight, they still spent years developing the MP4-12C. The time taken to develop this beauty has paid dividends with the final model. McLaren has quite possibly concocted all the right ingredients to make the best handling super car in history. McLaren's F1 racing background has caused them to build a sophisticated suspension system like no other.The revolutionary system spawns from it's light carbon fiber chassis. The frame is just a single monocoque that weights only 80 pounds making the center of gravity low, resulting in better cornering in the process. Not only is the suspension staggering, the performance is not to far behind. Producing 592 horse power, the MP4-12C gets it's strength from the M838T 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, McLaren's first ever engine design. McLaren have stated the MP4 can accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h  in just 8.9 seconds with the stock engine setup. McLaren has once again worked magic to perfectly fuse performance and suspension to create this $231,400 goliath. From the outside and specs given the MP4 is the ideal car for any car collector to add to his garage. This may be true, but the MP4 has been criticized for lacking the soul any great automobile needs.

Each car is a huge compliment to their respected automaker. Both vehicles are extremely powerful, head turners, and good conversation starters. McLaren has submitted data proving that their car is statistically better than the 458 in every way, yet the 458 is still the more popular car.With the 458 you feel all 570 horses fighting against you bringing enjoyment to the overall driving process.The MP4's computers are so responsive and sophisticated that you don't have to be as aggressive behind the wheel. This one fact leads to some people choosing the 458 over the MP4. The 458's playful mentality can be a burden sometimes. The issue it had when it was originally released was fixed, but not forever solved. Yes, you are able to dance around corners, but with risk of overheating your prancing horse. Ferrari went a step beyond by releasing a spyder version of the 458 for further enjoyment. Ferrari wants their consumers to have the best time possible while behind the wheel of one of their greatest creations yet. No specs have been released for the spyder version, but if its anything like its coupe counterpart there will be no disappointment. The MP4's may have a serious demeanor leaving one saying it lacks soul, but McLaren plans to rectify those issues. The British team went back to add a lighter feel to the wheel paddles to reduce the heavy mechanical feel the car has. They also plan to tweak the turbo system so that you can hear the roar of the beloved V8 equipped with the car. Further issues will be addressed to give the car a more rugged feel to the road. These changes from each company shows us that each side is fully committed to their projects. Their is no clear winner in this battle of super car greatness. It is solely up to the consumer to choose what car they will partner up with.We can hope that more rivalries of this sort will continue, because this one has resulted in two of the finest cars to hit the road.