Ferrari 458 Italia vs McLaren MP4-12C compared
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Ferrari · 2009–2015
458 Italia F142
Price from €199,200 (2009)
- Power
- 419 kW570 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 3.4 s
- Top speed
- 325 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,565 kg
McLaren · 2011–2014
MP4-12C
Price from €200,000 (2011)
- Power
- 460 kW625 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- -
- Top speed
- 333 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,434 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: 458 Italia F142 0 MP4-12C 1
- City Too close to call Length: 4,527 mm vs 4,509 mm
- Performance MP4-12C Power per tonne: 321 kW/t vs 268 kW/t
- Value Too close to call Price: €199,200 vs €200,000
Verdict Opinion
The 458 Italia is the more emotional car and the more decorated one: Top Gear named it Car of the Year in 2009 and Motor Trend gave it Best Driver's Car in 2011. Its high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 is something Ferrari no longer builds in this class, which is a large part of its appeal today. The 12C is the more technical answer, with a carbon tub, cleverer suspension and turbocharged torque, and it is lighter on paper.
Both now count as modern classics, so the condition and history of an individual car matter more than small differences in their specifications.
- Felix Hartmann
When McLaren returned to series production with the MP4-12C in 2011, its target was obvious: the Ferrari 458 Italia, launched two years earlier. Both are two-seat, mid-engined V8 coupés with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and rear-wheel drive, and both later gained a convertible with a folding hard top. Few rivalries of the period produced as many twin tests; evo magazine, for one, put the Ferrari ahead.
The 458 Italia replaced the F430. It was built from 2009 to 2015 and was succeeded by the turbocharged 488, which makes it the last naturally aspirated mid-engined V8 Ferrari. The McLaren was made from February 2011 to April 2014, lost the "MP4" prefix in 2012 to become simply the 12C, and gave way to the 650S, which shares most of its components. Around 3,500 were built.
Ferrari 458 Italia vs McLaren 12C: key differences
Two ways to make a V8 supercar
Ferrari's F136 V8 has 4,497 cc and no turbochargers. It produces 419 kW (570 PS) at 9,000 rpm and 540 Nm at 6,000 rpm, enough for 3.4 s to 100 km/h and more than 325 km/h. The McLaren's M838T is smaller, at 3.8 litres, but twin-turbocharged; it was developed and built with Ricardo in West Sussex. German sources give 447 kW (608 PS) at launch and 460 kW (625 PS) after a software update for the 2013 model year, with McLaren quoting 333 km/h. The 458 delivers its best at high revs; the 12C has more torque lower down, which suits overtaking on the road.
Structure and suspension
The 12C is built around the carbon-fibre MonoCell, a tub weighing about 80 kg that took four hours to make, against 3,000 hours for the McLaren F1's chassis. Its ProActive Chassis Control uses hydraulically linked dampers in place of conventional anti-roll bars. The 458 relies on an aluminium spaceframe and a conventional layout with anti-roll bars. Wikipedia quotes kerb weights of 1,434 kg for the 12C and 1,565 kg for the 458, so the McLaren carries about 3.1 kg per kW in its 2013 form against 3.7 kg per kW for the 458. It is also the narrower car, at 1,908 mm against 1,937 mm.
Variants and history
The 458 Spider of 2011 has an aluminium roof that folds in 14 seconds. The 458 Speciale of 2013 raised output to 445 kW (605 PS) and cut the 0–100 km/h time to 3.0 s. In September 2010 Ferrari recalled all 1,248 cars delivered so far after several caught fire: an adhesive in the wheel arches could overheat, and it was replaced with mechanical fasteners. The 12C Spider arrived in July 2012. In Germany the coupé listed at about €200,000 and the Spider at about €230,000.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | 458 Italia F142 | MP4-12C |
|---|---|---|
| PI | S · 803 | S · 803 |
| Power | 81 | 86 |
| Grip | 66 | 68 |
| Handling | 74 | 76 |
| Top speed | 87 | 90 |
| Launch | 82 | 67 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 458 Italia F142458 Italia · petrol · 419 kW (570 PS) 10.13 sat 271 km/h
- 2 MP4-12C12C (2013 update) · petrol · 460 kW (625 PS) 11.94 sat 220 km/h · +1.81 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| 458 Italia F142 | MP4-12C | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,527 mm178.2 in | 4,509 mm177.5 in −18 mm −0.7 in −0.4% |
| Width | 1,937 mm76.3 in | 1,908 mm75.1 in −29 mm −1.1 in −1.5% |
| Height | 1,213 mm47.8 in | 1,204 mm47.4 in −9 mm −0.4 in −0.7% |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm104.3 in | 2,670 mm105.1 in +20 mm +0.8 in +0.8% |
| Kerb weight | 1,565 kg3,450 lb | 1,434 kg3,161 lb −131 kg −289 lb −8.4% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Too wide | Too wide |
Difference vs 458 Italia F142 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Ferrari 458 Italia | McLaren MP4-12C | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | 458 Italia · petrol · 419 kW (570 PS) | 12C (2013 update) · petrol · 460 kW (625 PS) |
| Production years | 2009–2015 | 2011–2014 |
| Body | Coupe | Coupe |
| Class | Supercar | Supercar |
| Country | Italy | United Kingdom |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 419 kW (570 PS) 562 hp | 460 kW (625 PS) 617 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 419–445 kW (570–605 PS) 562–597 hp | 441–460 kW (600–625 PS) 591–617 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 540 Nm 398 lb-ft | No data |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 3.4 s | No data |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 325 km/h 202 mph | 333 km/h 207 mph Better |
| Power per tonne | 268 kW/t 326 hp/ton calculated | 321 kW/t 390 hp/ton calculated Better |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 4,497 cc · 8 cyl 4.5 l | 3,799 cc · 8 cyl 3.8 l |
| Gearbox | 7-speed dual-clutch | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,527 mm 178.2 in | 4,509 mm 177.5 in |
| Width | 1,937 mm 76.3 in | 1,908 mm 75.1 in |
| Height | 1,213 mm 47.8 in | 1,204 mm 47.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm 104.3 in | 2,670 mm 105.1 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,565 kg 3,450 lb | 1,434 kg 3,161 lb Better |
| Price | ||
| Price | from €199,200 (2009) | from €200,000 (2011) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (5): Body, Class, Fuel, Gearbox, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
In plain words
McLaren MP4-12C has more power: 460 kW (625 PS) against 419 kW (570 PS) for Ferrari 458 Italia. Ferrari 458 Italia is 18 mm longer than McLaren MP4-12C (4,527 mm vs 4,509 mm). McLaren MP4-12C is lighter by 131 kg (1,434 kg vs 1,565 kg). Ferrari 458 Italia is the older design (from 2009); McLaren MP4-12C arrived in 2011. On the catalog figures, the McLaren MP4-12C is the pick for performance. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the McLaren MP4-12C yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Ferrari 458 Italia if you value the sound and response of a naturally aspirated engine that revs to 9,000 rpm. The 458 Spider adds a quick folding roof, and the Speciale a sharper set-up.
Choose the McLaren 12C if you prefer a carbon-fibre structure, a supple ride from hydraulically linked suspension and the strong mid-range of a twin-turbo V8, ideally a car with the 2013 power update.
Frequently asked questions
Is the McLaren MP4-12C the same car as the 12C?
Yes. McLaren dropped the MP4 prefix in 2012, and the car continued as the 12C until production ended in April 2014.
Which is more powerful?
The McLaren: 447 kW (608 PS) at launch and 460 kW (625 PS) from the 2013 model year, against 419 kW (570 PS) for the 458 Italia. Only the 458 Speciale, with 445 kW (605 PS), comes close.
Why was the Ferrari 458 recalled?
In 2010 several cars caught fire. Ferrari traced it to an adhesive in the wheel-arch assemblies that could overheat, and recalled all 1,248 cars sold to fit mechanical fasteners instead.
Which one has a manual gearbox?
Neither. Both use only a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission: a Getrag unit in the Ferrari and a Graziano unit in the McLaren.