Ferrari 458 vs. McLaren 650S
Ferrari has a rich history and a legacy, which remains unrivaled. The new Ferrari 458 for sale won’t disappoint Ferrari enthusiasts, but before you rush out and plop down $270,000 consider the McLaren 650S as an alternative. While McLaren Automotive is just a baby in car years, since 1989 they have gone toe to toe with other high-end sport car manufacturers.
Ferrari introduced the new model in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Initially the Italian sports car replaced the Ferrari F430. However, after a five year run it will now be replaced by the Ferrari 488 GTB, which had its debut in 2015 at the Geneva Motor Show. Ferrari gives you options and currently comes in three configurations, the Spider, the Italia and the Speciale. Get the jump on competitors as the 458 delivers with a 4.5 L V8 which gives the driver 562 in horsepower at redline and 389 ft-lbs of torque. Capable of jumping from zero to 62 at around 3 seconds and top speed of 202 mph, this machine is much more than a pretty face. Ferrari breaks with conventional rules by offering direct fuel injection in these street legal automobiles. This vehicle handles as well as any sports car in its class with rear wheel drive; a double wishbone suspension, a dual clutch gearbox and a 7 speed automated manual transmission.
Categorized as a mid-engine sport car, the Ferrari 458 is not only fast, but it is equally as eye catching. Pininfarina designed the body. The Italian based car design firm made painstaking measures to ensure this car was aerodynamic enough to maximize what was under the hood. Special attention was given to the grille which contains deformable winglets which actually lower when the engine is at full throttle. The interior was conceptualized by Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher who suggested placing many of the controls that are typically found on the dashboard be placed on the alloy and leather steering wheel. But to be honest, they skimp on amenities on options that should be standard on an automobile in this class. No navigation, no carpeting or satellite radio on a $270,000 car seems ludicrous, but then again listening to 4.5 V8 purring over your right shoulder might be all the music you’ll need.
The McLaren 650S for sale was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014 and although it appears to only have a couple cosmetic changes, it is actually comprised of 25% new parts. Being the new kid on the block, McLaren pulled out all the stops by offering a 3.8 ltr V8 twin turbo that will provide drivers with 641 hp and 500 ft-lbs of torque. The 650S clocks in at a top speed of 207 mph when all of the ponies are let loose and easily revs from 0 to 62 in just 3 seconds. With rear wheel drive, 7 speed automated transmission and a dual clutch gearbox this British import handles like it’s on rails. As on the McLaren 675LT, the 650S is built with a single piece of carbon fiber monocell which weighs a mere 165 lbs. With butterfly doors parking is a snap. The key to the success of the 650S begins with new parts such as McLaren’s twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter M838T eight-cylinder engine has been fitted with new Pistons, cylinder heads, exhaust valves and revised cam timing.
Besides its sleek lines and low stance, it is quite comfortable and comes with standard amenities as transmission controls located on the tilt and telescoping steering wheel, dual zone climate controls, an alloy and leather steering wheel, a premium sound system with four speakers, navigation and Bluetooth.
Comparatively speaking, the Ferrari 458 and the McLaren 650S are pretty much tied as far as power and torque, but if I were to pick between the two, I would most likely give the McLaren a hat tip. Ferrari might want to consider giving us more standard options in future automobiles. With a starting price of $263,553 it might be hard to justify making such as large purchase and not get all the bells and whistles.
