Ferrari 812 Superfast vs Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Compare the Ferrari 812 Superfast vs Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The Ferrari 812 Superfast is £65,000 cheaper. The Ferrari 812 Superfast is 0.9s quicker to 60mph. The Ferrari 812 Superfast is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Ferrari 812 Superfast is priced from £275,000, powered by a 6.5L V12, producing 789 hp, with 718 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 2.9s, a top speed of 211 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is priced from £350,000, powered by a 5.4L Supercharged V8, producing 617 hp, with 780 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.8s, a top speed of 207 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Ferrari 812 Superfast offers a 320-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 18 mpg, is covered by a 3yr / unlimited mi warranty. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren offers a 272-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 14 mpg, is covered by a 2yr / unlimited mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Ferrari 812 Superfast is £65,000 cheaper than its rival, the Ferrari 812 Superfast costs less in annual maintenance (£3,500 versus £5,000), the Ferrari 812 Superfast is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £100 for the Ferrari 812 Superfast and £95 for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
Driving Character: Ferrari 812 Superfast vs Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
The Ferrari 812 Superfast delivers a visceral, raw experience defined by its 789hp naturally aspirated V12. The steering is exceptionally sharp, requiring precise inputs to manage the power delivery to the rear wheels, aided significantly by the rear-wheel steering system. It excels at high speeds but demands total focus as the limits of adhesion are tested. The chassis balance is classic front-engine GT, though the weight of the drivetrain is always apparent. It is a car that rewards a disciplined driver while punishing complacency, especially on damp British tarmac where the torque can easily overwhelm the traction control.
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a brutal manifestation of early 2000s super-GT excess, defined by a hand-built 5.4-litre supercharged V8 that delivers 617hp with unrelenting force. Its long-bonnet, front-mid engine layout dictates a heavy, rear-biased handling balance, accompanied by the visceral, side-exit exhaust note. While capable of prodigious speeds, it does not possess the agility of modern mid-engined peers. The steering is direct but weighty, and the overall driving experience is characterised by theatrical, high-speed stability rather than delicate cornering precision, requiring a firm hand to manage the immense torque and significant kerb weight.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari 812 Superfast takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 92 against 78. Characteristic of the Ferrari 812 Superfast: Ferocious naturally-aspirated V12 GT with genuine front-engined drama. For the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren: Dramatic, supercharged V8 GT with genuine McLaren engineering input. In outright terms it is 789 hp against 617 — a 172 hp gap — and the Ferrari 812 Superfast reaches 60 mph 0.9s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Ferrari 812 Superfast vs Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Inside the 812 Superfast, the cabin prioritises driver focus while retaining an air of grand touring luxury. The architecture features a sweeping dashboard that wraps around the occupant, with high-quality materials and bespoke trim options defining the space. The optional Daytona-style seats offer excellent lateral support for spirited driving, and the driver-centric interface places all essential controls within immediate reach. However, the sheer length of the bonnet remains a persistent factor when navigating tight spaces, necessitating careful judgement of the front extremities despite the high level of interior finish and overall build quality.
The interior represents a peculiar blend of McLaren-derived carbon fibre construction and Mercedes-Benz switchgear, resulting in a cabin that feels both bespoke and familiar. The butterfly doors provide an unparalleled sense of arrival, though the low-slung, cramped cabin makes ingress a deliberate process. Once inside, the driver is met with premium MB-Tex and structural carbon, though the infotainment and navigation systems are clearly relics of their era. Despite this, the hand-finished quality remains high, offering a uniquely dramatic environment that prioritises sensory impact over the ergonomic cleanliness expected in contemporary performance vehicles.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari 812 Superfast takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 80 against 75. Characteristic of the Ferrari 812 Superfast: Well-finished, driver-focused cabin. For the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren: Luxurious, distinctive cabin with genuine period-correct drama.
Daily Usability: Ferrari 812 Superfast vs Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
For such a potent machine, the Ferrari 812 Superfast is surprisingly civilised as a long-distance companion. The 320-litre boot provides adequate space for luggage, making it the most practical front-engine offering in the modern Ferrari hierarchy. While it is perfectly comfortable over long motorway stints thanks to the compliant suspension settings, its width and length make urban manoeuvrability a chore. It demands constant vigilance in narrow city streets, yet it handles parking ramps and standard errands with enough grace to allow for genuine usability, provided the driver is prepared to manage its substantial dimensions.
Daily utility is surprisingly coherent for a vehicle of this performance class, thanks to the front-mid engine configuration that allows for a functional 272-litre boot. It functions comfortably as a grand tourer, with an engine delivery that is better suited to long-distance speed than dense urban environments. The significant length and wide stance, however, render it problematic in tight parking conditions. Furthermore, the heat generated by the side-exit exhausts near the doors requires awareness during ingress and egress, a small inconvenience given the car's primary focus on highway dominance and long-legged cruising capability.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari 812 Superfast takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 58 against 50. Characteristic of the Ferrari 812 Superfast: Usable GT for longer journeys, if firmly sprung. For the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren: Usable GT for longer journeys, if firmly sprung. that means 320 litres of boot space against 272, and everyday running costs that favour the Ferrari 812 Superfast at the pumps.
Ownership: Ferrari 812 Superfast vs Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
As one of the final front-engined, naturally aspirated V12 masterpieces, the 812 Superfast enjoys a sterling reputation among collectors. Residual values remain robust, supported by the car's status as a pinnacle of traditional Ferrari engineering. Ownership costs, however, are substantial, with specialist maintenance required to keep the complex V12 running at peak performance. While annual service costs are significant, the peace of mind offered by professional maintenance is essential for preserving the vehicle's long-term value, as enthusiasts continue to favour these unadulterated powerplants over the industry’s shift toward smaller displacement and electrification.
Owning a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a commitment to maintaining an iconic, low-volume collaboration. With values now firmly in the appreciation phase, finding specialists who can source bespoke components is essential. Both Mercedes and McLaren offer support programmes, but servicing costs are astronomical, reflecting the specialised labour required for the supercharged V8 and intricate aero-components. While the rarity of the model ensures significant appeal to collectors, the maintenance overheads are not for the faint-hearted, making it an investment-grade machine that demands a dedicated, well-funded approach to long-term stewardship.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari 812 Superfast takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 72 against 60. Characteristic of the Ferrari 812 Superfast: Strong Ferrari reliability reputation for a modern V12 GT. For the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren: Now a sought-after modern classic collaboration between Mercedes and McLaren. On the wallet the two diverge at £275,000 versus £350,000 — a £75,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £3,500 against £5,000, and warranty cover of 3yr / unlimited mi versus 2yr / unlimited mi.