Comparison tests Auto Zeitung: Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, Ferrari 458 Speciale und Porsche 911 Turbo S

[Laurent T]

Out today... anybody has seen it ? Any performance comparison or track time ?

 

[DeDe]

That's probably a driving comparison without performance numbers and laptimes.

 

[Laurent T]

It's a pity... in the end, it's quite useless. This month, French Sport Auto is also comparing McLaren 650S and Ferrari 458 Speciale, but without any number.

 

[ffforever]

Same deal with Autocar not allowed track shoot out. It's not like Ferrari will have a different policy in different countries...

 

[Porsche Guy]

It's a pity... in the end, it's quite useless. This month, French Sport Auto is also comparing McLaren 650S and Ferrari 458 Speciale, but without any number.

Why do you care about numbers? It's not like manufacturers build according to the same set of rules (beyond emission and safety). There's no limits/minimums on weight, power, tires, etc.

If you were deciding between buying two sports cars, would you prioritize outright performance over driving enjoyment?

 

[Thiago]

Why do you care about numbers? It's not like manufacturers build according to the same set of rules (beyond emission and safety). There's no limits/minimums on weight, power, tires, etc.

If you were deciding between buying two sports cars, would you prioritize outright performance over driving enjoyment?

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Ok, "cold" numbers do not say much. Driveability, safety, diversãoé what you have on the day-to-day. But the numbers give us a good idea of how this supercar.

 

[klier]

If you were deciding between buying two sports cars, would you prioritize outright performance over driving enjoyment?

One doesn't rule out the other, but a good split between the two would be best I'd say.

 

[Thiago]

One doesn't rule out the other, but a good split between the two would be best I'd say.

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This whole discussion reminds me of the comparative between Ferrari 458 Italia x McLaren 12C. In most of them, the British supercar was better in numbers, but who impressed by diribilidade, fun and driving pleasure was the Italian beast.

 

[Mr Robert]

With cars like the these, numbers couldn't matter less - these are bought with the heart and with the experience in mind, not for racing and cutting tenths of seconds per lap. There are other models in these manufacturers respective range for that.

 

[klier]

I don't know about that, I mean, Ferrari has the Cali if you want a boulevard cruiser, and Porsche things like the Targa. The Turbo S is comfortable, sure, but it's meant to be a weapon first and foremost. Same with the Speciale.

 

[Porsche Guy]

With cars like the these, numbers couldn't matter less - these are bought with the heart and with the experience in mind, not for racing and cutting tenths of seconds per lap. There are other models in these manufacturers respective range for that.

Exactly. Street cars are not race cars, no matter how fast they are. I do a lot of autocross, and each class is specific to a single manufacturer's particular model. There are no classes based on price points or something as broad as supercar.

More importantly, very few people are good enough to match the lap times posted in these comparison tests. Unless you're a professional race, these numbers do not apply. So when you go to the track in your $300k supercar, be prepared to be passed by a guy in a 200hp FWD hatchback. It happens all the time.

 

[Mr Robert]

I don't know about that, I mean, Ferrari has the Cali if you want a boulevard cruiser, and Porsche things like the Targa. The Turbo S is comfortable, sure, but it's meant to be a weapon first and foremost. Same with the Speciale.

I don't know what experience you have with the California, but I think it's a really nice sportscar. No track-weapon, but it is far more than just a boulevard cruiser. The only universe I'd suggest it's not as sporty as it should is the Ferrari universe.

There are Cup and Challenge models for the racer type of customer. These are street cars that will see their fair share of trackdays, nothing else.

Well, I never thaugt I'd go on record advocating the sporty nature of the California, but then again, there is a time and a place for everything.

 

[klier]

Well, I never thaugt I'd go on record advocating the sporty nature of the California, but then again, there is a time and a place for everything.

Slightly twisting things a bit here...