Autocar compares 991 Turbo S vs. McLaren 12C
 

Aug. 28, 2013 edition of Autocar contains the review, written by Steve Sutcliffe. His verdict "The Porsche is astonishingly quick but I wouldn't buy one". It's not that the 991 TS doesn't put in a stellar performance, it's just that his sense of driver engagement, exhilaration, and projected pride of ownership is much more in the Mclaren.

As the owner of a 997 Turbo S and a Ferrari 458 Italia, I found his comparison of the 991TS and 12C most interesting, because I'm always trying to distill comparative impressions of my two cars. What I found when reading his review is that the most important differences he points out between the 991TS and the McLaren 12C are virtually the same differences I observe when I compare my 997TS and the 458 on both the road, and especially on the track.

I did buy a 997TS and I may be tempted to buy a 991TS, but I wouldn't own either if it meant giving up my 458.

I also own the 458 Italia and have previously owned the 991 C2S. Which do you find quicker between the 458 and 997 TTS? Or is it too close to call? The 991 TT will be quicker no doubt. 458 speciale might be able to match the 991 TT.

"I also own the 458 Italia and have previously owned the 991 C2S. Which do you find quicker between the 458 and 997 TTS? Or is it too close to call? The 991 TT will be quicker no doubt. 458 speciale might be able to match the 991 TT."

My 2010 458 is stock with later years showing some advantage in more aggressive shifting. My 2012 997 TTS has aftermarket headers, cats and exhaust (but no ECU mod), good for another 20 HP and 40 ft/lbs of torque at 3500 rpms, more or less equivalent to a 991 TTS. Both my cars are fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

Judging from test data, a stock 997TTS is faster than the 458. Road & Track, Motor Trend and Car & Driver, reported 0-60 mph times of 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 seconds respectively. Tests of the 458 come in around 3.0-3.2.

In a straight line, my 458 under WOT feels 'ferocious', leaving the driver and passenger exclaiming ‘wow’, 'awesome'. The exhilarating sound of the engine and exhaust hugely reinforces the 'fast' impressions. (This same point was made in favor of the McLaren vs. the 991 TTS in the autocar review.) In contrast, the 997 TTS delivers ‘savage’ acceleration, provoking comments like ‘astonishing’.

A notable difference, IMHO, is that under WOT the 458 feels really planted, as if power/speed/suspension are all well matched. In contrast, the acceleration of the 997 TTS comes on so strong, I sense some instability and feel the need to reign in the beast. Not so in the 458. Nevertheless, for sheer, astonishing acceleration, the 997 TTS is the winner.

On turns, my 458 feels so well balanced, allowing fast entry and continuous, aggressive throttle on exiting. The 997 TTS needs more braking in a straight line to get the nose down before the turn (to counteract understeer), and then strong but carefully modulated acceleration on exiting the turn to make up for a slower entry. Virtually all road course times (on 10+ tracks) show the 458 outperforming the 997 TTS by a few seconds. On the track the 458 is the winner.

I feel I’m a more confident driver in my 458 on the track and have required more track time in my 997 TTS to overcome the car's 'understeer/oversteer' nemesis to gain the same amount of confidence.

The 991 TTS will surely equal the score with the 458 when it comes to road course track times, compliments of it’s rear wheel steering that corrects for understeer. Then again, the 458 Speciale should help regain Ferrari’s performance record in this respect.

"I also own the 458 Italia and have previously owned the 991 C2S. Which do you find quicker between the 458 and 997 TTS? Or is it too close to call? The 991 TT will be quicker no doubt. 458 speciale might be able to match the 991 TT."

My 2010 458 is stock with later years showing some advantage in more aggressive shifting. My 2012 997 TTS has aftermarket headers, cats and exhaust (but no ECU mod), good for another 20 HP and 40 ft/lbs of torque at 3500 rpms, more or less equivalent to a 991 TTS. Both my cars are fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

Judging from test data, a stock 997TTS is faster than the 458. Road & Track, Motor Trend and Car & Driver, reported 0-60 mph times of 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 seconds respectively. Tests of the 458 come in around 3.0-3.2.

In a straight line, my 458 under WOT feels 'ferocious', leaving the driver and passenger exclaiming ‘wow’, 'awesome'. The exhilarating sound of the engine and exhaust hugely reinforces the 'fast' impressions. (This same point was made in favor of the McLaren vs. the 991 TTS in the autocar review.) In contrast, the 997 TTS delivers ‘savage’ acceleration, provoking comments like ‘astonishing’.

A notable difference, IMHO, is that under WOT the 458 feels really planted, as if power/speed/suspension are all well matched. In contrast, the acceleration of the 997 TTS comes on so strong, I sense some instability and feel the need to reign in the beast. Not so in the 458. Nevertheless, for sheer, astonishing acceleration, the 997 TTS is the winner.

On turns, my 458 feels so well balanced, allowing fast entry and continuous, aggressive throttle on exiting. The 997 TTS needs more braking in a straight line to get the nose down before the turn (to counteract understeer), and then strong but carefully modulated acceleration on exiting the turn to make up for a slower entry. Virtually all road course times (on 10+ tracks) show the 458 outperforming the 997 TTS by a few seconds. On the track the 458 is the winner.

I feel I’m a more confident driver in my 458 on the track and have required more track time in my 997 TTS to overcome the car's 'understeer/oversteer' nemesis to gain the same amount of confidence.

The 991 TTS will surely equal the score with the 458 when it comes to road course track times, compliments of it’s rear wheel steering that corrects for understeer. Then again, the 458 Speciale should help regain Ferrari’s performance record in this respect.