Video: Ferrari F12 Berlinetta vs Toyota GT86

4 November 2013
Feature

They're both handsome, reasonably practical cars. They both have an engine in the front sending power to the rear wheels. And while the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta will hit 211mph, the Toyota GT86 will 'only' reach 140mph. But the thing we're interested in is this: can a £240,000 supercar thrill its drivers on track more than a £25,000 Toyota? Matt Prior takes both to Snetterton to find out.

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Comments
9

LP in Brighton

4 November 2013
Great feature, looks like both are great fun, but I'd be interested to know just how much faster the Ferrari is around Snetterton? My guess is that the difference is no more than about 10%, but it would be dead interesting to know the exact figure. I think we all know which would be the more expensive to mend if it all goes horribly wrong!

Bullfinch

4 November 2013
...supposing I buy the Japanese car, what do I do with all the change?

Zeroboost

4 November 2013
I would like to see a Cayman up against the Ferrari - at £40,000 the 2.7 would still be one sixth of the price of the Ferrari. I drove both a Cayman and GT 86 back to back in that order and found the Cayman to be much more enjoyable and a much better everyday car than the GT 86 as it rode so much better and felt considerably more "grown-up", albeit at a 60% higher outlay ……. thought it was worth the extra, though.

Onehp

4 November 2013
" drove both a Cayman and GT 86 back to back in that order and found the Cayman to be much more enjoyable and a much better everyday car than the GT 86 as it rode so much better " Indeed, that is why I put 16" wheels on my GT86, considerably better, feels like the car was developed for this size. Since I need some form of a rear seat, a 911 was the closest porsche alternative but then the differences in prices or owner costs are no longer expressed in two digit percentages...

MikeSpencer

4 November 2013
I'm sure even Ferrari themselves would recommend a 458 over an F12 if you were planning on driving regularly on track unless, that is, you also happen to own Pirelli... Also, I'm sure Ferrari would be the first to admit that the F12 won't/can't offer ten times the fun as a GT86. High-end cars, like many things in life, are subject to the law of diminishing returns. As mentioned by Zeroboost, a Cayman S with PDCC and PCCB would be perfect for the job. Manual or PDK, depending on preference.

bomb

4 November 2013
[quote=LP in Brighton] My guess is that the difference is no more than about 10%, but it would be dead interesting to know the exact figure. [/quote] It was exactly 20 seconds per lap quicker on a not totally dry track, according to last week's mag. My maths tell me that is 13.5% quicker. 13.5% doesn't sound much, but 20 seconds per lap does! The Toyota would be a giggle for a few laps but it would the F12 that left an indelible mark on your brain.

Peter Cavellini

4 November 2013
No!,not really,FerrariF12 is the best looking car they have made in ages,the GT86,it's your everyday car, isn't it?

fadyady

4 November 2013
... its a rather brave comparison (and some might suggest a bit far fetched), I should say for the GT86 that there is no loss in trying and not succeeding. For the money the thrill is incomparable.

Turismo

4 November 2013
Or if you are interested in exclusivity and thrills, then buy the GT86 and spend another £30k modifying it. You could replace most panels and parts with carbon fibre. And give yourself a 400bhp 2.0 engine.

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