We have already seen Fifth Gear�s Tiff Needell and Jason Plato pit the new McLaren MP4-12C against the Ferrari 458. Now, it�s time for BBC�s Top Gear TV hosts and in particular, Jeremy Clarkson and the Stig to get behind the wheel of McLaren�s finest and try it on the show's test track. At Top Gear's famous power lap, the MP4 12C recorded an amazing time of just 1:16.2 minutes, which puts it in second place right behind the insane Ariel Atom V8 (1:15.1) and in front of some of the world�s fastest supercars such as the Bugatti Veyron S (1:16.8�), the Gumpert Apollo (1:17.1�) and most importantly, Ferrari�s rivaling 458 Italia (1:19.1�).
The MP4-12C GT3, McLaren�s first race car outside of Formula 1 since the legendary F1 GTR, will make its debut in front of the public at this weekend�s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Based on the new MP4-12C, the GT3 will appear in a revised form after McLaren�s team further honed the supercar.
The 458 Italia, Ferrari's V8 supercar, is the default choice in its category. Sexy, with a fabulous design and the latest in automotive technology, it is a pure driver�s car to be enjoyed by anyone who can afford it. Yet McLaren plans to spoil Ferrari�s party claiming that its own brand-new supercar, the MP4-12C, can beat it. On paper, little separates them. But the question for car fanatics remains: which one is better? To find out, Channel 5's Fifth Gear presenters Tiff Needell and Jason Plato decided to pit the Ferrari against its new challenger from Britain.
