McLaren 570S vs Audi R8 V10 Plus vs Porsche 911 Turbo S

It’s been a tough time for the McLaren Formula One squad, which hasn’t won a race in nearly four years. However, while the brand’s racers have struggled, its road car division has gone from strength to strength.

Since 2012 its line-up has ballooned from one car to eight – and the latest is the 570. Based on similar carbon fibre underpinnings to its stablemates, the newcomer is designed as a supercar you can live with day to day. That makes it the most spacious and practical McLaren yet. Of course, there’s plenty of performance, too, due to the 562bhp twin-turbo V8. The 570 is available in luxurious GT and racy S guises; we test the latter here.

• McLaren 570GT review

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The McLaren isn’t the only high-performance car that’s easy to live with. The Porsche 911 Turbo S has always been the ultimate supercar for all seasons, and now there’s a revised version with even more performance and a host of interior tweaks. Audi’s sensational R8 V10 Plus completes our trio of mouth-watering machines; it combines jaw-dropping looks and top-notch quality with thrilling handling and a sublime engine. Which of our trio takes the spoils? We hit road and track to find out.

Head to head

Our three super sports have been designed to be as assured on the track as they are on the road, and the compact and challenging Llandow circuit in South Wales proved the perfect venue to test our contenders to the limit.

We timed each model over the 0.9-mile lap, and the McLaren emerged as the fastest, setting a benchmark of 42.7 seconds. The Porsche was two-tenths behind, while the Audi was a second off the 570’s pace.

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With its suspension and drivetrain in the Track setting, the McLaren felt most at home on the circuit, as it turned in more keenly, gripped harder and remained more stable. However, the Porsche wasn’t far behind, plus its anti-roll suspension, four-wheel steering and rear-engined traction delivered remarkable agility through sudden changes of direction.

In isolation the Audi felt incredibly fast and composed, but over a few laps the effort needed to contain the heavy mid-mounted V10 soon overwhelmed and overheated the rear tyres, resulting in increasingly wayward behaviour. The resulting slides were fairly easy to correct on a circuit, but after a few laps like this, you’d end up facing a huge bill for replacing the tyres.

Verdict

First place: McLaren 570S

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The incredible 570S is arguably the best McLaren since the legendary F1. Combining the brand’s traditional hi-tech approach with a little more personality and driver involvement, it’s a visciously fast and accomplished sports car that’s engaging to drive at any speed. And its amazing looks, driver-focused interior, surprisingly comfortable ride and decent practicality are the icing on the cake. We awarded the 570S our Performance Car of the Year award at the 2016 Auto Express New Car Awards, and it’s well deserved. 

Second place: Audi R8

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For many, the Audi’s fabulous 5.2-litre V10 alone will be worth the entry price. With its heavy-hitting performance and orchestral soundtrack, it’s a true mechanical masterpiece. Better still, it’s wrapped in stunning-looking bodywork and is backed by driving dynamics that manage to blend the everyday convenience of the TT with high-octane, high-speed thrills.

Third place: Porsche 911

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In many respects, it’s the Porsche’s ability to make the extraordinary seem ordinary that relegates it to third. This is the easiest car to live with every day, yet it’s also hugely fast and engaging. Its outright ability is on par with its rivals, but in a test that demands thrills its low-key approach lets it down. Plus, the latest Carrera turbos give you 90 per cent of the S’s ability for two-thirds the cost.

Coming soon

Honda NSX

Price: £130,000 (est)

Engine: 3.5-litre V6 hybrid, 573bhp

Honda's flagship supercar is back after over a decade away. Unlike our test cars, it goes down the hybrid route, blending a petrol V6 with powerful electric motors. However, it promises to be every bit as engaging to drive as the original.

Facts and figures