Porsche 997 GT3 RS vs Ferrari 458 Italia
Highlights of EVO magazine test in issue 149
The Porsche 997 GT3 RS 3.8 has a noticeably heavier clutch that most cars
The Ferrari 458 Italia uses a TFT dashboard and takes interior design of cars to the future. Cars with normal analog dials look old fashioned after seeing what is possible with TFT
The Ferrari changes gears in a fraction of a second with steering wheel mounted paddles and the steering is super direct
The Ferrari 458 Italia uses many aerodynamic aids such as vents, scoops and intakes. The 458 Italia also uses three tail pipe exits which harp back to the F40. The LED lights on the 458 are also futuristic compared to halogen lamps
The philosophy behind the design of Ferrari 458 Italia is for the driver to keep their hands on the wheel at all times or as much of the time as possible and if the driver’s hands do need to leave the wheel any control should be within a few inches of the steering wheel
There is a bizarre quirk about the 458 Italia and that is, you still use a key and you also have to press a button as well to start the car. This is at odds with the rest of the leading edge technology used in the car
The steering is extremely light and responsive and matches the characteristics of the gearbox perfectly. The dual clutch gearbox is super smooth when you are cruising and super fast when you are charging.
The electronic diff (E-Diff) distributes different amounts of torque between the left and right wheels according to various s inputs and works as an LSD. The traction control and E-Diff work so well their interference with the driving experience is imperceptible.
The ride on the Ferrari si quite fidgety but it has good wheel travel which means it does not get knocked of line by bumps
The Ferrari 458 Italia is car that is meant to be driven with the wrists
Driving the Porsche after the Ferrari it feels a bit numb and maybe a bit hard work but it does not take long to get to grips with the analog experience of the GT3. It is in contrast to the digital driving experience of the Ferrari
The Ferrari is more synthetic and the Porsche has more depth of feedback
The Porsche demands more from the driver
The Ferrari is easier to drive, you punch the brakes, click the paddle 3 times, lift off, turn and power. With the Porsche the braking takes more modulation, you need to match the downshifts to engine revs, the brakes have to be dragged into the corner to keep weight over the front axle and then the power can be blended in. There is more to think about with the Porsche.
Which is better? It depends what you are looking for from your car. If you want to go fast easily and a car to be easy to drive everyday, choose the Ferrari.
If you want to a car to envelope you in the process of driving, choose the Porsche.
The difference in price may also help you make up your mind
Porsche 997 GT3 RS vs Ferrari 458 Italia
Porsche 997 GT3 RSEngine: Flat 6, 3.8litre Location: Rear longitudinal CO2: 314/g/km Power: 444bhp @ 7900rpm Torque: 317lbs/ft @ 6750rpm Transmission: 6 speed manual, rear wheel drive, limited slip diff, PSM Front Suspension: MacPherson Struts, coil springs, PASM dampers, anti roll Rear Suspension: 5 link, coil springs, PASM dampers, anti roll bar Brakes Front: 380mm Discs vented and drilled ABS EBD Brakes Rear: 350mm ABS EBD Wheels Front: 9x19inches Wheels Rear: 12x19inches Tyres Front: 245/35-19 Tyres Rear: 325/30-19 Weight: 1370kg Power-to-weight ratio: 329bhp/ton Top Speed: 193mph Basic Price: 106,870GBP EVO Rating: 5 Stars |
Ferrari 458 ItaliaEngine: 4.5litre,V8 Location: Mid longitudinal CO2: 320g/km Power: 562bhp @ 9000rpm Torque: 398 lbs/ft @ 6000rpm Transmission: 7 speed DCT gearbox, rear wheel drive, E-Diff, F1-Trac Front Suspension: Double wishbones, coil springs, adaptive dampers, anti-roll bar Rear Suspension: Multi link, coil springs, adaptive dampers, anti-roll bar Brakes Front: 398mm carbon ceramic discs ABS EBD Brakes Rear: 360mm carbon caramic discs ABS EBD Wheels Front: 8.5 x 20inches Wheels Rear: 10.5 x 20inches Tyres Front: 235/35-20 Tyres Rear: 295/35-20 Weight: 1485kg Power-to-weight ratio: 384bhp/ton Top Speed: 202mph Basic Price: 169,545GBP EVO Rating: 5 Stars |
Porsche 997 GT3 RS vs Ferrari 458 Italia
All measurements in seconds and mph
Porsche 997 GT3 RS0-30 1.6 0-40 2.1 0-50 3.0 0-60 3.7 0-70 4.5 0-80 5.9 0-90 7.0 0-100 8.2 0-110 9.9 0-120 11.6 0-130 13.4 0-140 16.3 0-150 19.1 0-160 22.5 1/4 mile sec: 11.91/4 mile speed: 122mph2nd gear20-40: 1.9 30-50: 1.6 40-60: 1.5 50-70: 1.6 3rd gear20-40: 2.7 30-50: 2.5 40-60: 2.3 50-70: 2.2 60-80: 2.1 4th gear30-50: 3.4 40-60: 3.2 50-70: 3.2 60-80: 3.0 70-90: 2.8 80-100: 2.9 90-110: 3.1 5th gear30-50: 4.4 40-60: 4.4 50-70: 4.2 60-80: 4.0 70-90: 4.0 80-100: 4.0 90-110: 3.9 100-120:4.1 110-130: 4.4 120-140: 4.7 6th gear50-70: 6.1 60-80: 5.8 70-90: 5.6 80-100: 5.8 90-110: 6.0 100-120: 6.1 110-130: 6.2 120-140: 6.8 7th gear50-70: 60-80: 70-90: 80-100: 90-110: 100-120: Braking100-0: Distance: |
Ferrari 458 Italia0-30 1.6 0-40 2.1 0-50 2.7 0-60 3.2 0-70 4.0 0-80 4.9 0-90 5.7 0-100 6.8 0-110 8.0 0-120 9.4 0-130 11.0 0-140 12.9 0-150 15.2 0-160 17.8 1/4 mile sec: 11.21/4 mile speed: 128.8mph2nd gear20-40: 1.3 30-50: 1.2 40-60: 1.3 50-70: 3rd gear20-40: 2.0 30-50: 1.7 40-60: 1.6 50-70: 1.6 60-80: 1.7 4th gear30-50: 2.3 40-60: 2.0 50-70: 2.0 60-80: 2.0 70-90: 2.1 80-100: 2.2 90-110: 2.4 5th gear30-50: 3.4 40-60: 2.9 50-70:2.6 60-80: 2.5 70-90: 2.6 80-100: 2.7 90-110: 2.8 100-120: 3.0 110-130: 3.2 120-140: 3.6 6th gear50-70: 3.8 60-80: 3.5 70-90: 3.4 80-100: 3.4 90-110: 3.5 100-120: 3.7 110-130: 3.9 120-140: 4.3 7th gear50-70: 5.7 60-80: 5.2 70-90: 4.8 80-100: 4.5 90-110: 4.6 100-120: 4.8 Braking100-0: 4.0 Distance: 342ft |