There are very few cars that typify performance more than supercars. Chances are that most readers of this article will have had a poster, screensaver or HotWheels of a supercar at some period of their life, maybe even more recently than they care to admit.
Unfortunately, the dream to own one of these beasts slowly starts to fade as people grow up and financial and logistic restrictions quash these dreams. Still, there are a lucky few who get to accomplish our childhood dreams, enjoying the luxury and unrivaled performance of these supercars. However, even if not all of us get to purchase or drive these cars, although there are luxury car rental companies that do provide opportunities to drive a supercar for a day, these cars are still worth looking at, simply for the immense aesthetic beauty and powerful performance that underpins all of car culture.
So, with all that in mind, let's compare two modern supercars; the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S and the 2021 McLaren 720S, fantasizing about which we would buy if we had the chance.
The Potency Of The Porsche 911 Turbo S
There are very few cars that have maintained their iconic form for as long as the Porsche 911 has, and let's be honest, why should they change? It works really well.
The Porsche 911 has been around since its introduction in 1964 and to say that the automotive world is better for it is simply an understatement. The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S not only honors the power and performance of past 911s, but capitalizes on the best of modern technology to create a potent, powerful and proficient supercar. So, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of what makes the 2021 Turbo S so good.
First and foremost, as many would have guessed, it is the engine. Porsche has integrated a twin-turbocharged 3.7-Liter flat-six Boxer engine that creates a monstrous 640 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque in the Turbo S configuration. This leads the 911 Turbo S to destroy 0-60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and continue accelerating should you want to, and provided you can handle it, all the way until 205 mph. There are even some claims made that the 911 Turbo S is actually even faster and able to hit 0-60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, completing the quarter-mile in 10.3 seconds.
Furthermore, the Turbo S features an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic and an all-wheel-drive drivetrain sending the power to all four wheels. A staggered wheel setup helps maximize traction and ensure that every bit of power can be utilized be it on the street or on the track. The car also features massive carbon-ceramic brakes, 420mm in the front and 390mm in the rear, to ensure that the car has more than enough stopping power to match the performance level.
The Might of The McLaren 720S
From their background in F1, it comes as no surprise that McLaren has created and continues to create unique supercars synonymous with poster-wall-level performance.
Whether it is their curved, sloping lines or the vocal F1-like exhausts, there is so much to love about McLarens. So what makes the 2021 720S so special?
Well, again as expected it's a beautiful and bold powertrain that makes this majestic menace unique. At the heart of this car is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-Liter V8 that creates a truly monstrous 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, helping it consume 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. If that was not quite enough, continue holding down the accelerator and you will simply tear up the quarter-mile in just 10.3 seconds. However, some sources claim that it is even faster in practice completing the quarter-mile in just 10.1 seconds and accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. Unlike the Porsche, however, the 720S sends power to the rear wheels only through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Furthermore, similar to the Turbo S, the 720S also features carbon-ceramic brakes with 390mm brakes in the front and 380mm brakes in the rear. However, the 720S features a full carbon fiber structure which drops the weight down significantly, making it radically lighter than the Porsche 911 Turbo S, 3,128 lbs compared to 3,636 lbs.
Who Is The Winner?
Unfortunately, very few have the privilege of being able to put these two cars head to head, and we all know that what's on paper does not always reflect reality. Just think about quoted fuel consumption and actual fuel consumption. Fortunately, the video above puts these two vehicles head to head, so you can actually see which is faster in both a drag race and a rolling race.
But before you decide the ultimate winner off acceleration alone, there is one final key factor that must be considered: price. The Porsche 911 Turbo S is the clear winner in this category, retailing for $207,000 without any optional extras, while the McLaren 720S starts at around $302,000 without any extras.
With everything in mind, the Porsche 911 Turbo S comes out on top, having the distinct advantage of an all-wheel-drive drivetrain and being almost $100,000 cheaper.
Sources: HotCars, Porsche, McLaren and YouTube
