McLaren 720S - quicker than a Ferrari 488 Pista? | evo LEADERBOARD

2017's evo Car of the Year finally heads to Anglesey circuit to set a lap time on the evo Leaderboard.
Fitted with its standard Pirelli Corsa tyres rather than the optional Trofeo R rubber can the 720S get close the Ferrari 488 Pista (on Cup 2s) time? Steve Sutcliffe finds out.
Read our online review of the McLaren 720S at: www.evo.co.uk/...
and subscribe to evo at: subscribe.evo....

[@HG504X]

You guys at EVO need to start uploading regularly again, miss the high production quality and expert opinion from journalists there.

[@augustkasemaa3290]

Hey silly question, but where did u find your picture 😅

[@Imleocalm]

Costly

[@augustkasemaa3290]

@J0B0 not really

[@philipc6553]

7 seconds into this lap and I have goosebumps all over me. 😳 God I love that car.

[@Car10121-s]

Looking forward to the 765LT lap! Good to have the evo videos back!

[@BasedHadrian]

Mclaren still claiming “only” 710hp on this car, dynos show 780-790 when converted

[@richboy900]

Thats usually normal with german manufacturers. It's usually Ferrari amd Aston Martin who lie about their horsepower

[@flyingphoenix113]

@@richboy900 *it's Ferrari and Aston Martin who are honest about horsepower. For the last two decades, both manufacturers' cars have produced claimed crank horsepower on the dyno. If the world wants to switch to wheel horsepower as the new standard, that's fine, but don't blame Ferrari, Aston Martin, et al. for using the standard that's been around for 100 years.

[@leeg131313]

Its because mclaren quote wheel horsepower unlike everyone else as that the only number that matters....

[@halow4]

Not this time. The 488 pista has been dynoed putting out around 640whp. The 720s has dynoed between 690-700whp.

[@mariobotti1952]

And still slower than Ferrari 488 Pista!!!!!!

[@Adamk24]

Steve is just the best.

[@ImMikoFreako]

No Chris Harris is the best. Period.

[@5thgearouttahere]

@@ImMikoFreako Mate even Harris says Sutcliffe is untouchable.

[@Car10121-s]

5thgearouttahere in what way?

[@derbigpr500]

@@5thgearouttahere That's because he's humble. Harris is a vastly superior and far more entertaining car journalist. His insights and descriptions of cars are second to none, and he's not a bad driver either.

[@drazenbudis7881]

BeyerT1 I can’t stand the guy and would watch anything else presented by Sutcliffe or Catchpole any day of the week. I’d even put Dickie Meaden, Jethro Bovingdon and Harry Metcalfe above Harris. But its just a persobal prefference because I can’t stand shouty personas.

[@tepes141]

Definitely we need more evo LEADERBOARD! Cheers 🍻

[@GeordieAmanda]

Steve Sutcliffe is such a superb reviewer, I wish we could see more of his great driving. He entertains in a similar way to Chris Harris and has such a soothing voice :)

[@richboy900]

The 720s set the benchmark for the supercar league imo

[@AVVideo247]

Omg his voice is like butter.

[@chiemekaa]

I call it the Attenborough of cars.

[@osamabinladen824]

How about my voice?

[@Emanzz139]

@@osamabinladen824 *run away*

[@board.member]

I have to agree with you. It is definitely a competitive advantage he holds over others!

[@andytalbot6719]

@@board.member who is the voice?

[@Shadowboost]

The 765LT will be an absolute beast

[@campkira]

And most uncomfortable thing in the world....

[@TheBigboySid]

@@campkira not a mclaren mate

[@dimitariliyanov3680]

Sadly it is a mclaren lmao 20% down in price in the first year with multiple quality issues🤣🙈

[@gabecalandrino4320]

campkira Well, it’s built for the track so i’d hope so...

[@stubones]

campkira rubbish.

[@BrianT1979]

Mega lap. The best I’ve heard a modern McLaren sound since the P1.

[@imadude85]

But both still can't beat the sound of Mclaren F1.

[@adrianvioli]

Pista too, is Ferrari's track variant and technically the 720S isn't. The upcoming 765LT will be very interesting I'm sure!

[@batmikipig]

Too bad they aren't selling any due some reliability and depreciation. It would be hand down the best on the market

[@DanyilTopo]

Depreciation is McLaren's fault. They are obsessed with releasing new cars at a far faster rate than anybody else, so that they can always be the quickest, but they are killing their own market.

[@LorenzoClara97]

My boss has one. In a wonderful clear gray almost ice colour

[@BadgerVito]

Too bad this test wasn't done on Trofeo Rs, as it's not really an apples-to-apples comparison with the Pista.

[@jameswillard1]

Who gives a shit, the Pista is the track focused model and is 10 years old, the Mclaren has already one as it comes within tenths of it on WAY LESS aggressive tires. The 765LT will literally destroy the Pista when it’s released at the end of the year

[@derbigpr500]

Go see the french Motorsport magazine supercar comparison from last year for apples-to-apples. All cars had the same tires, same driver, same track conditions, and the Pista easily beat everything on Magni-Cours, by huge margins. 720S and Huracan Perfromante were the only ones remotely close, within 1-2 seconds per lap, while cars like the GT3 RS, AMG GT-R, Corvette ZO6, etc. were like 5-6 seconds per lap slower than the Pista. And they were all factory cars supported by mechanics and engineers. Pista was just lent to the magazine by some rich dude, zero support, drove up, wiped the field, went home. People underestimate just how capable Ferrari's are, for some reason, a lot of people still have this opinion that they're poser cars for fanboys who want to show off, when in fact, dynamically and in terms of raw performance, they've been the benchmark for more than decade now.

[@gqa9419]

@@derbigpr500 when the track focused Pista goes against the track focused 765lt, we can revisit this conversation.

[@rforracing]

Ferrari's whole team was there when you tested the 488 Pista. Not to mention the stickier compound tires the 488 had.

[@matzepizzaheld8541]

rforracing @ they send one dude and they didn’t even care when the track was wet, they knew it would be faster

[@Jay-tc9on]

Crazy that the 720s is just to complete with a normal 488 and is faster than a pista on the street and arguably as fast on track. The 765lt is going to be insane

[@joaquinporcile3504]

So....if you say it's not a fair competitor to the 488 pista using the trofeo tires, why you didn't use those trofeos on the 720 to match??

[@srinitaaigaura]

If it is this fast, I can't imagine how bonkers quick the 765LT is going to be.

[@nik7bkh965]

Probably a bit faster but again, the F8 pista will be topping it out as usual. Don't forget the F8 is the true competitor to the 720s since the 488 gtb was the direct competitor to the 650s

[@kiwidan2271]

@@nik7bkh965 that's probably debatable as the F8 is at least two full years newer than the 720S. Not necessarily saying you're wrong, just that the two companies release schedules don't really line up with direct competitiors. (F8 =2019/2020, 720S =2017, 488= 2015, 650S = 2014. Though the 650S was really more of an updated version of 2011s 12C than a properly new car)

[@nik7bkh965]

@@kiwidan2271 you are probably right. The release schedules of the trackfocused mid engined V8 cars of both ferrari and McLaren are too far apart, that their cars can be compared in a fair way. However I still think it is "fairer" to compare the 650s with the 488gtb (and therefore 675lt with the 488 pista) and the 720s with the F8, because it Makes more sense when putting the time lines of all models of each brand next to each other. Now it's mclarens move to beat the 488 pista with the 765lt, because if that's not happening, then Ferrari is the clear winner overall.

[@User-th6yy]

The Pista loses to the 720 s in a drag race. Ferraris always have been slower than Mclarens in the past years with the same power to weight ratio. It's a shame what Ferrari has become

[@matteogamba3236]

@@User-th6yy ferrari still the best, it's not a shame, because i don't think that when you own one of those cars you mind to Do drag races

[@algebralineare1]

488 pista TOP

[@meanmugginj]

765LT is going to kill that time

[@gazzabrownhigh8891]

Boom way to go McLaren socking it to the Italians again. Stock vanilla standard car as good as the lightweight track edition. 765LT will blow 488 pistake away but I would still have a 675LT spider myself

Steve can read me even quantum physics with his deep, bassy voice and I will love it.

[@MASKD01]

With the 765lt right around the corner we are a bit late aren’t we?

[@alexlam24]

Evo videography is amazing

[@NoahBB]

Great lap. Maybe I'm the only person interested in this, but given the sizing on the 720S you could perform a tire test with 3 different tires: Goodyear - EAGLE F1 SUPERCAR 3R Michelin - Sport Cup 2 Pirelli - P Zero Trofeo R All are available in the OEM size, and they run the full gamut of tread wears: 180 (M), 100 (GY), 60 (P).

[@newcareachyear]

Lexus LFA double octave exhaust trick!! This McLaren sounds amazing is this a refresh by Mclaren to new cars? Sounds sooo good 😁

[@henrygolayguitar8880]

newcareachyear let’s hope the LTs sound like this!

[@SnakeyUk08]

Short and sweet and like Steve says stay safe everybody :)

[@joe5boost]

very fast for a car that im guessing will be cheaper than a m3 by the end of the year with all the new models mclaren bring out every 5 min

[@75KoDe]

Joe Tee how many models did Ferrari release last year? Hm?

[@gqa9419]

@@75KoDe exactly but don't waste your time with fanboys or haters lol

[@johntearle]

Thank you Steve and Evo. I'm still subscribed, here and to the mag, and hope you continue delivering great stuff and enjoying it as you do. Keep safe

[@Deuteross]

The sound is epic!

[@KANISHK1222]

I think it has novetic exhaust or some other aftermarket exhaust

[@75KoDe]

Kanishk jain nope

[@gqa9419]

Yep and the spider factory sports exhaust sounds even better!

[@elreydavid96]

I mean the 720s technically goes vs the 488. The 488 pista should go against the 765LT 🤷🏾‍♂️ McLaren are always a step ahead of Ferrari in the super car world

[@dionysisdaras1289]

yeah but at least ferrari mostly work

[@DanyilTopo]

Shouldn't it be 458/MP4, 488/650, and now 720/F8? McLaren released cars at a far quicker rate than Ferrari.

[@braven7426]

@@DanyilTopo Yeah sure. The 488 was only produced for 4 years. They had to scrap it because it was so much slower than the 720 S. The F8 Tributo that you can buy, not the Ferrari press car, will still be slower than the 720 S.

[@DanyilTopo]

@@braven7426 Scrap it? It remained in production for 4 years, like all the other recent Ferrari V8s. Chances are the F8 is gonna be as fast as the 720, that's why they are already releasing the 765. McLaren is obsessed with being quicker than Ferrari, and they are killing their own used cars values with this strategy.

[@matzepizzaheld8541]

Me Me @ not really, they still sold more 488gtb than 720s and it’s direct competition is 650s

[@djroboscope]

Love these leaderboard vids! Thanks for posting

[@Cloxxki]

Looked like a lap after very limited pratice. Much time in it. Indeed with more suitable tyres.

[@mmerritt143]

I am really looking forward to a Leaderboard test of the new version of the BAC Mono. Please!!!!!!

[@evo]

When the world starts turning again it's on the list.

[@syedsaeed7183]

Get this back on the track with Trofeo Rs and it will quite possibly demolish the competition. On of the greatest supercar ever built...

[@chrisanderson2204]

The 765LT will blow the Pista away

[@1010thechamp]

Turn the turbos up on the Pista then itd probably still rape the 765LT.

[@ShadowGodOfDarkness]

@@1010thechamp so it can't take the 765lt in stock form?

[@matzepizzaheld8541]

Sf90 stradale will rip the 765lt

[@1010thechamp]

@@ShadowGodOfDarkness No but then the 765LT's reliability will be piss poor so it might as well be a tuned car.

[@1010thechamp]

@@matzepizzaheld8541 Yes it will tear the 765LT into nothing.

[@NoLimitHonky]

Why everybody can't make turbo engines sound this good is beyond me! It sounds like an old F1 car, not muffled behind twin turbos, like the Fezza and 911...

[@fugginrambo]

That gets the power to the ground so smoothly for being so ferocious! Huge power means nothing if it spins or upsets the chassis.

[@jinxmade]

Steve + McLaren= Legend

[@squidly5160]

How about adding some telemetry? Speeds, G -forces etc. GoPro camera's have this feature built in. Allows one to truly appreciate the abilities of these cars

[@MrSaintRaptor]

the more i see of the 720, the less impressed i am with the P1. The 720 is just so beautiful compared to the P1 and almost as fast if not faster, without any hybrid tech. Looking back i feel the P1 was inflated and hyped a lot, not only in between the holy trinity (always liked the 918 way more), but compared to other supercars as well.

[@silviubahnovei]

MrSaintRaptor P1 is as fast as 918 and Laf if not more , and for a 2012/13 that was the hypercars level ,”the problem “is that the technology is advancing so quick these days

[@rhinocraft2594]

Imagine it on trofeo R tyres It would most likely beat the Pista if not come equal with it. What a beast !

[@MarcSob22]

Put Trofeo R on the Pista and teh Pista will be even faster!!

[@rhinocraft2594]

@@MarcSob22 .It has been proved in tests that cup2rs are superior to trofeo r

[@rhinocraft2594]

@@MarcSob22 at least the 720s is comfortable and made with better quality than the pista.

[@WeirdBrick]

@@MarcSob22 lol the cup2 r are significantly faster than the trofeo r

[@sonnyreddevil69]

Sam Fleming 720 quality? Lol

[@mstSean]

I think the most impressive part about that list of times is how competitive the GT3RS is with how much less power it has compared to other top times.

[@thewing331]

I love this reviewer he really loves to drive quickly and you can see his enjoyment.

[@alejandromonterroso7709]

The funny thing is that besides the famous relaiblity problems of mclaren. The 720 is not a hardcore trackfocused car at all

[@gladdy6412]

Yeah unfortunately, probably the least reliable McLaren :( Let's hope 765LT will get rid of at least few of those reliability issues.

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

Sounds so damn good. EVs are the future, but man, they gotta do something about the aural aspect of them. True motoring is a full sensory experience.

[@93455Driver]

Not sure who the videographer and editor were for this video, but this is Neil Carey good in places.

[@justchill4869]

This is very interesting! The 720s is already a monster and so will the 765lt but what's interesting is Ferrari is coming out with the SF90 Stradale and a track version of the F8 Tributo soon enough so it'll be interesting to see how the numbers stack up.

[@TheTmat007]

With stickier tires (Trofeo R, for example), it will not beat the 911GT2 RS time for sure.

[@No1ZeaL]

720s 1:11.5 / pista 1:10.8

[@nickcollins5937]

More videos please EVO 👏

[@robertchalmers8487]

The downshifts sound awesome 🔥

[@Yarrow54]

Done a 1.09.8 in my Spire GT3 sports 1000 race car. A048s, no wings, no diffusers, standard cbr1000rr engine 170hp at the wheels, and a hell of a lot cheaper than anything on the Evo leaderboard. Video of the lap my channel amongst many others.

[@blackeyes3313]

Pista + Mc720s= ♥

[@DSOXBLADE]

Yes, definitely interested to see how it will fair with Trofeo R tires.

[@gianlucavittoriovanzyl9044]

That 488 Pista is a monster

[@stevewight2000]

Guys great video - but why not just use the right tyres. Its such a vital component of the test. Kind of renders the title kind of misleading. Frustrating.

[@akmal.mirzaa]

The Pista is basically the all out version of the 488 GTB, and the 720s is the base car to the 765LT . Why not try and lap the 765LT and see how it stands against all

[@justicewarrior9187]

Doesn't matter Ferrari F8 Tributo beats the 720S

[@gabecalandrino4320]

You’re dreaming

[@dex6360]

F8 has the same engine as the pista and the 720s already walked the pista, go watch dragtimes

[@justicewarrior9187]

@@dex6360 F8 has more power

[@dex6360]

@@justicewarrior9187 it does have more power than advertised but people have dynoed the 720s and it was making close to 800hp, look at dragtimes dynos with the 720s. Also this vid will change your mind on the pista vs 720s kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ6poYGYqMija7M

[@thorkloos662]

Stev is the man 👍👏

[@jorgecristovao5642]

Nice Portuguese reference! Bonkers supercar!

[@ernestolupercio3168]

That’s the perfect spec on this car. 🔥 White on black

[@TheStressD]

Good old Stevie boy, one of the best car reviewer out there.

[@stephenswift8001]

Great video! Just a thought, could you in the future put the speed the car is travelling up on the screen? It would add a extra level of interest. The viewer could see the speed into and exiting corners and v-max on the straights.

[@mariuszanfir2298]

Was not expecting this to be slower than the GT3 RS, even with those tires :O

[@maxhofer3223]

exhaust cant be stock....sounds amazing......

[@brtnspn]

So why...... not put...... The 720s.......... On........ Trofeo Rs then? [tried writing in the, frankly, bit ostentatious style Steve speaks]

[@HoratioHoodoo]

😂😂 👆

[@superfast30]

One things for sure...its much faster than any car on that list to hit the repair shop!

[@sutats]

Such a pure driving machine.

[@iHaveTheDocuments]

Evo is the type of channel you always forget exists when someone asks you what car channels you watch.

[@alexisbendelamousseauchocolat]

Thank you, Mr Sutcliffe

[@DrummingAli93]

I mean Steve is one of the best reviewers. Along with Chris Harris, and Dickie Medan. Evo also has the best magazine too. EVO INVEST IN YOUR KZbin CHANNEL CONSISTENCY.

[@modelcitizen1977]

That was by no means a perfect lap, either. I figure there's at least another half second to be had out of those tires.

[@user-dn3yk2qu7f]

Andrew Elias you do know Sutcliffe is about as good a peddler as you get this side of a full time top pro? I doubt he left much time out there

[@kirkkwamme7953]

I think you're right. I reckon he didn't have enough time to know the limits, he was still learning it on the flying lap. His inputs would have been smoother otherwise.

[@rdrg7362]

Beautiful ! Thank you.

[@theprices417]

The McLarens always sound like the mufflers they use are very restrictive (hissing). Would be great to test drive one with an aftermarket system.

[@aravindradhakrishna8660]

The black hood makes the 720S look extra menacing

[@DrPittenstein]

Those Porsche laptimes are so fishy. 1700kg lux Turbo EXACTLY the same time as the 1400kg track focused GT3? Come on...

[@mariuszanfir2298]

Edit: you lead me into thinking the 911 Turbo S had the same time as the GT3 RS, and I checked the board afterwards. The board says GT2 RS. Do you really expected the GT3 RS to be quicker than the GT2 RS, a GT3 RS with Turbos on it? First of all, the weight difference between them is ~200kg, not 300. It does matter. Then, add to that the fact that Anglesey is a rather slow track and, maybe contrary to expectations, the GT3 is quicker at higher speeds, when it can generate downforce. Moreover, don't underestimate how the Turbo exits corners, turbos + AWD = beast. On small tracks, with very low speed corners, it can destroy the GT3, be it RS or not. Also, the GT3 and the Turbo have always had close pace on track, even though it may not look like it on paper. Anyway, I know which one I would choose and it doesn't have Turbo in its name :P

[@DrPittenstein]

Mzn T show me a Turbo on some scales actually weighing 1600kg. You won’t find one.

[@mariuszanfir2298]

@@DrPittenstein My arguments still stand, even if it weights 1650. I said ~200kg difference and the GT3 RS starts at 1440, not 1400kg as you rounded it down. And, again, there is no 911 Turbo on that board that has the same time as the GT3 RS.

[@DrPittenstein]

Mzn T take another look 991.1 Turbo S 1.13.6, 991.1 GT3RS 1.13.6. Pure politics.

[@farnum3297]

you don't understand the role of torque my friend.

[@Bonzai30]

It’s too bad most of the track times are on the Corsas and not the Trofeo Rs. The Trofeo Rs are street legal, and the car can be ordered with them. They’d undoubtedly be faster...my guess is a second faster on that lap, which would make the 720s faster than the Pista.

[@lukebarker594]

So the direct competitor in its class it's the 488 right? So shouldn't the pista be up against the 765lt when its released? Mpt to mention it was harder compound tyres.

[@briankelvindiffey3006]

Cheers 4 sending 👍

[@suckmeoffwhore]

I thought when you turn all aids off the dash disappeared went into race mode? Why can i see the giant gesr number on the screen whilst he's doing the lap?

[@mosca3289]

One of the best testers.

[@Frank-1978]

Nice one. Enjoyed that 👍👌

[@VaunShiz]

That track definitely doesn't take advantage of how fast it accelerates , and some stickier tires means all the difference for car this fast

[@mirkoko7759]

Just imagine how fast would be a 765LT with Cup2R ...

[@icydelight3693]

Probably close the the Senna with Trofeo R

[@patricebecquerelle53]

Many parameters can change this result as the track conditions, the weather, the tyres and the shape of the driver, in short, I have a big doubt about this final classification especially about such a small time gap.

[@halaskalaszlo5393]

Why not trying the car on Trofeos to leave the guessing out? I really wonder what is the issue if any with this car on Trofeos with MC spec...

[@derbigpr500]

French Motorsport magazine did a comparison of supercars last year and both the 488 Pista and 720S had identical tires, specifically for the test, and 488 still beat it around Magni-Cours by quite a margin, with the same driver (some pro GT3 driver) and same conditions. And that's with the 488 being a costumers car with 14k km's of mostly track driving on the clock, lent to the magazine with no support of mechanics by some rich dude, and the 720S being a new factory car supported by the Mclaren team of engineers and mechanics. So I don't think Trofeo R's would have made it quicker than the 488 here. Besides, this is a track with pretty much only slow speed corners, so the 488 Pista can't take full advantage of advanced aerodynamics and more downforce at high speed that it has. It comes truly alive on quicker tracks.

[@user-no6gy9sd3f]

Looking forward to the speed tail and 765lt lap comparison

[@karacop78]

I'm a Ferrari fan but I'm sure the 720s will be as fast if not faster than the Pista, if fitted with stickier tires. Steve, you're one of the last True Drivers around YT. Keep on!

[@MilesB1975]

The KZbin auto captions were translating the soundtrack as [Music].... Hmmm. Fairly accurate.

[@ragethomas]

Always great videos. Perhaps waiting to accelerate carrying in a bit more speed and getting direction would take a few tenths off!

[@Joolz1982]

Nice vid. Not done a Nissan GTR 35 round this track? Would be interested to see how that stacks against these or GR Supra.

[@adamcollingburn430]

Cannot wait to see what the 765LT does

[@TheFunkyair]

Steve is the living legend

[@swanblake]

Too bad about that engine sound. They need help from AMG to get that 4.0L sounding better. Curious what this puts down with some cup tires

[@obfuscator]

any chance to put stickier rubber to match pista setup?

[@zenooflondon]

Off topic, but how do the GT2 RS and GT3 RS have exactly the same lap time?

[@peskn]

Production is on fire!

[@JD2ndcity]

That car looks absolutely stunning.