These supercars are legendary.
In the 1990s, three unique cars were introduced: the McLaren F1, Porsche 911 GT1, Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR and the McLaren F1. The McLaren was first introduced in 1992, before the GT1 category was opened three years later. Porsche and Mercedes were attracted by the McLaren’s success and created the 911 GT1 and CLK GTR in 1996.
They pushed the legal boundaries, blurring the lines between a race car or a road car. While the McLaren blurred this line more than Mercedes and Porsche, neither prioritized performance over comfort. The Carfection YouTube channel has a new video that compares the three cars.
This video will go into detail about each car, including how they were made and how they performed on the track. After a thorough breakdown of the mechanical parts and performance numbers, the video dives into each car’s history.
McLaren F1 was a world-record-breaker with its performance numbers. It produced 627 horsepower (468 Kilowatts) as well as 479 pound-feet (649 Newton meters) of torque from its V12 motor. In just 3.2 seconds, the three-seater car could reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 60 minutes. It could travel at a maximum speed of 240.1 mph (386 km per hour).
With its turbocharged flat-six engine, 536 horsepower (400 kW) & 443 lbft (600 Nm) of torque, the Porsche achieved sub-4.0 seconds zero-to-60 times. The Porsche’s top speed was 192 mph (308 km/h) which is lower than the McLaren’s. Although the CLK GT had a V12, it produced 604 horsepower (450 kW) as well as 572 lbft (775 Nm).
The interiors of the three cars are not only powerful, but also laser-focused on driving. While the McLaren’s 3-seat layout is still a big draw, the Porsche and Mercedes have more traditional interiors. The roll cage of the Porsche makes it difficult to get in and out, while the Mercedes’ door openings are so small, Mercedes created a removable steering column.
It is well worth the effort to watch the Carfection video. These cars are incredible, and the mini-documentary explains why they remain so amazing all these years later.