Porsche 911 Turbo S vs McLaren 720S drag race

It’s one of the most-requested drag races we’ve ever staged: McLaren 720S versus the latest, 992-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S.

Tap the video to watch the race.

We already know that the 720S is insanely fast in a straight line, but can it beat the ultimate everyday supercar?

On paper at least, it looks like the 911 is out of its league. In Turbo S guise, its rear-mounted 3.8-litre, twin-turbo flat-six engine produces 650hp and 800Nm of toque. It weighs in at a hefty 1650kg, too.

By contrast, the McLaren’s mid-mounted 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 motor produces a towering 720hp, slightly less torque at 770Nm and it weighs just 1420kg. On that basis, it looks like the Big Mac should take it.

On the other hand, the 911 has limpet-like traction from its four-wheel-drive system to go with its extra torque, whereas the McLaren has to marshal all its oomph through the rear wheels only.

The Porsche has one of the best launch control systems in the business, too, but the 720S just always seems to be able to dig in and surge forward like it has an afterburner up its exhaust.

The 720S stands as carwow’s current drag race king but, if any car can dethrone it, it’s probably the 911 Turbo S. The fight is simply too close to call, though, so let’s get to it.