Porsche Carrera GT vs Ferrari LaFerrari
Compare the Porsche Carrera GT vs Ferrari LaFerrari. The Porsche Carrera GT is £700,000 cheaper. The Ferrari LaFerrari is 1.1s quicker to 60mph. The Ferrari LaFerrari is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Porsche Carrera GT is priced from £1,500,000, powered by a 5.7L V10, producing 605 hp, with 590 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5s, a top speed of 205 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive. The Ferrari LaFerrari is priced from £3,500,000, powered by a 6.3L V12 Hybrid, producing 949 hp, with 900 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 2.4s, a top speed of 217 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Porsche Carrera GT offers a 100-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 12 mpg, is covered by a 2yr / unlimited mi warranty. The Ferrari LaFerrari offers a 100-litre boot, runs on petrol hybrid, returns around 39 mpg, is covered by a 3yr / unlimited mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Porsche Carrera GT is £700,000 cheaper than its rival, the Porsche Carrera GT costs less in annual maintenance (£3,500 versus £8,000), the Ferrari LaFerrari is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £95 for the Porsche Carrera GT and £95 for the Ferrari LaFerrari.
Driving Character: Porsche Carrera GT vs Ferrari LaFerrari
The Porsche Carrera GT remains a raw, analogue masterpiece defined by its 5.7L V10 engine. Derived from an abandoned F1 programme, the engine offers ferocious, linear delivery that demands immense respect. Built around a carbon fibre monocoque, it lacks power steering and electronic stability aids, leaving the driver entirely exposed. The six-speed manual gearbox requires a deft touch, making the car a challenging yet deeply rewarding machine that reveals its true nature only in the hands of an expert.
The Ferrari LaFerrari is a masterclass in hybrid integration, pairing a naturally aspirated 6.3L V12 with an electric motor to generate a staggering 949hp. The chassis, built around a bespoke carbon fibre monocoque, provides an incredibly rigid foundation that transmits every nuance of the road surface directly to the driver. Active aerodynamics dynamically adjust the profile to maximise downforce, keeping the car glued to the tarmac. While the performance is otherworldly, the character shifts slightly based on the state of the hybrid system, requiring the driver to manage the complex battery interactions to achieve consistent, blistering lap times.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari LaFerrari takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 95 against 96. Characteristic of the Porsche Carrera GT: Naturally-aspirated V10 with a raw, unassisted manual gearbox - widely revered as a driver's hypercar. For the Ferrari LaFerrari: F1-derived hybrid V12 delivering some of the most intense performance ever offered. In outright terms it is 605 hp against 949 — a 344 hp gap — and the Ferrari LaFerrari reaches 60 mph 1.1s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Porsche Carrera GT vs Ferrari LaFerrari
The cabin is a lesson in minimalism, prioritising structural integrity and weight reduction through extensive use of magnesium and carbon fibre. It feels decidedly race-derived, with a high-mounted gear lever topped by a wooden knob that provides a tactile link to Porsche's heritage. The interior is spartan by modern standards, eschewing the digital distractions of today for a pure, driver-focused environment that intentionally limits creature comforts to save mass.
The cabin of the LaFerrari is essentially a race car cockpit adapted for the road. The seats are fixed-back, moulded specifically to the original owner's dimensions, which ensures an uncompromising driving position but dictates how comfortable the car feels for different individuals. Ferrari utilised extensive carbon fibre to keep weight down, resulting in an interior that feels industrial yet purposeful. Controls are mounted directly to the steering wheel, leaving the driver focused on the road ahead. Digital instrumentation feels surprisingly advanced for 2014, although the lack of seat adjustment is a stark reminder of the car's extreme, competition-derived roots.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari LaFerrari takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 62 against 65. Characteristic of the Porsche Carrera GT: Motorsport-derived cockpit with genuine period-correct craftsmanship. For the Ferrari LaFerrari: Motorsport-inspired cockpit with fixed seats moulded to the chassis.
Daily Usability: Porsche Carrera GT vs Ferrari LaFerrari
While the Carrera GT is more usable than many of its contemporaries, it is not a car for mundane chores. The front trunk provides modest space for a weekend bag, but the main hurdle for daily driving is the notoriously difficult, heavy clutch. Engaging first gear smoothly requires significant practice, and once in motion, the lack of modern parking aids and the extreme width make it an intimidating prospect for city streets.
Despite its hypercar status, the LaFerrari offers a surprising degree of urban functionality thanks to its HY-KERS hybrid system. It is capable of silent, electric-only crawling, which allows for stealthy exits from residential areas. The standard nose lift system is essential for negotiating speed bumps and driveways, mitigating the risks posed by its minimal ground clearance. However, the lack of luggage space means it is strictly a short-range machine, and the fixed nature of the seating means it will never offer the long-distance comfort found in more conventional grand tourers. It is an engineering marvel that happens to be street-legal.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche Carrera GT takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 30 against 25. Characteristic of the Porsche Carrera GT: A collector's piece, not practical for regular use. For the Ferrari LaFerrari: A pure collector's hypercar, not intended for daily use.
Ownership: Porsche Carrera GT vs Ferrari LaFerrari
The Carrera GT has cemented its position as a genuine collector investment, with values having more than tripled since its initial launch. Porsche Classic provides exemplary support, ensuring that parts and technical expertise remain available. However, ownership is a serious commitment; the V10 engine requires highly specialised maintenance, and the delicate nature of the clutch assembly means replacement costs can be exorbitant for the unwary owner.
Owning a LaFerrari is an elite experience involving significant ongoing commitment. With values having more than doubled since its introduction, it stands as one of the most desirable assets in the automotive world. Ferrari provides a dedicated, highly specialised hypercar maintenance programme to support the complex V12 and hybrid battery systems. Owners should be prepared for substantial annual service costs, which are part of the hypercar ownership reality. Long-term, the health of the hybrid battery remains the primary concern for collectors, necessitating a professional approach to storage and care to ensure the asset retains its immense historical value.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Ferrari LaFerrari takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 78 against 88. Characteristic of the Porsche Carrera GT: One of the most revered analogue Porsche hypercars, with strong appreciation. For the Ferrari LaFerrari: One of the most coveted, blue-chip modern hypercars. On the wallet the two diverge at £1,500,000 versus £3,500,000 — a £2,000,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £3,500 against £8,000, and warranty cover of 2yr / unlimited mi versus 3yr / unlimited mi.