HOW THE HOLY TRINITY STACK UP AGAINST MODERN SUPERCARS

Halo cars are the pinnacle of an automaker's fleet and a representation of its zenith of design, performance, and esteem. Typically, these are produced in smaller quantities than standard production series cars and will often fetch a significantly higher price. Some examples of halo models include the Audi R8, Ford GT, and the Acura NSX. One, or rather three, of the most prolific examples of halo cars, are the three hypercars that belong to Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche, aptly referred to as "The Holy Trinity".

These cars were the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and the Porsche 918 Spyder. They were attributed with ushering in the era of the hybrid hypercar and served as the first examples of the segment. All three hypercars relied on some form of hybrid drive assistance to eke out power and performance that were unrivaled in their respective brands and would set a precedent for performance standards going forward. While each represented the zenith of performance and automotive engineering within their ranks, they were always directly competing and compared to one another.

The Holy Trinity

Ferrari LaFerrari

The name "LaFerrari' means "The Ferrari" and was purposefully named as it was intended to be the definitive Ferrari. Only 499 examples of the 2-seater mid-engine hypercar from Maranello were planned for production. It was the first Ferrari model to feature a hybrid system, which was referred to as the HY-KERS system, that allowed for the cooperation between the V12 engine and the electric motor. Through corners, the system allowed for quicker throttle response and can divert unnecessary torque to charge the batteries. The V12 that powered the LaFerrari was the most powerful naturally aspirated engine Ferrari had ever used in one of its road cars. Compared to the Enzo, the LaFerrari was capable of lapping the automaker's Fiorano circuit five seconds quicker.

Four different types of carbon fiber were used to form the monocoque of the LaFerrari, which had better torsional rigidity and beam stiffness than the Enzo Ferrari. Beyond the chassis and powertrain, the LaFerrari also featured a slew of aerodynamic elements purposed to provide as much downforce as possible, like the compact front wing, the central flap, the front diffuser, the scallop behind the rear wheel, were a few of the main aerodynamic elements employed in the Ferrari.

In terms of pure performance, Maranello's hypercar is capable of blistering from a standstill to 124 mph in less than seven seconds with a sprint to 186 mph needing only 15 seconds. The LaFerrari would lay the foundation for future hybrid-assisted Ferraris to come, serving as the yardstick for all V12 and V8 flagship models that would follow.

McLaren P1

Considering the performance and its appearance, the McLaren P1 was more of an unruly grinning speed demon than a third of an automotive godhead. When it debuted, McLaren was producing more carbon-fiber chassis road cars than any other manufacturer, so it's not a surprise that's the case with the P1 too. Like the 12C, it was founded on a carbon fiber MonoCage featuring pre-preg autoclave technology and resin molding to result in a single piece. This includes fixed components like the roof, snorkel air intake, and the IPAS battery.

Powering the P1 was a heavily revised version of the M838T engine. This mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8, referred to as the M838TQ, features a new pressure charging system, a bespoke engine block casting, new turbochargers, and most notably, is accompanied by the Instant Power Assist System. The IPAS leverages excess energy generated by the V8 engine to charge the battery, which is used to drive a single electric motor capable of producing 176 hp and 95 lb-ft. Its purpose is to offer a sharper throttle response, fill in the torque gap between gear shifts as the turbos are spooling up, and propel the P1 when it's in EV mode. The P1's poise is attributed to the hydro-pneumatic RaceActive Chassis Control system, allowing for independent control of each wheel which features its individual actuators and pistons.

Weighing only 3,075 lb, only 375 examples of the McLaren P1 were produced. Extremely limited, extremely powerful, and extremely beautiful. The McLaren is an example of the quintessential hypercar.

The P1 is the first of the trio to get a successor. While we'll have to wait a while to see what Porsche and Ferrari are cooking, the McLaren W1 will debut early next month.

Porsche 918 Spyder

The embodiment and pinnacle of Porsche's ideals and engineering. The 918 Spyder is one of the greatest creations to ever spawn from the Stuttgart-based automaker's fleet. It was the succession of the lineage started by the Carrera GT, but unlike the V10 employed in its predecessor, the 918 utilized a hybrid-assisted V8. A multi-link chassis was the 918 Spyder's skeleton accompanied by the Porsche Active Suspension Management adaptive shock absorber system and benefited from the addition of a rear-axle steering system.

Its hybrid powertrain, like the rest of the Holy Trinity, was the cornerstone of its package. Two electric motors, placed on the front and rear axles, producing 129 hp and 156 hp respectively, worked in tandem with the 4.6-liter V8 to achieve a unique independent all-wheel-drive configuration. The 918 Spyder's hybrid system was satiated by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. One of the most interesting aspects of the story behind the development of Porsche's hypercar was that it required specially designed tires developed in collaboration with Michelin. Every 918 leaving the factory features a set of specially tuned Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

Compared to the rest of the Holy Trinity, the Porsche 918 Spyder has the slowest recorded time around the Nürburgring. However, it is the "most affordable" of the bunch but had the most examples; 918 units produced, so it was technically the most accessible.

Modern Descendants

The Holy Trinity hasn't been reborn just yet. What we mean by this is that their successors are either not yet realized or just entirely don't exist. However, there are halo cars within their respective brands.

Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale

This is the first road-legal XX model in Ferrari's history and the current ruler of Ferrari's road-going fleet. Much like the LaFerrari, the SF90 XX Stardale relies on the pairing of a mid-mounted V8 sourced from the SF90 and three electric motors to achieve a new level of performance in Ferrari's history. In nearly every metric, the SF90 XX Stadale trumps the LaFerrari. One of the most straightforward displays of its claim as a better-performing hypercar is the 1:17.309 minute lap around the Fiorano circuit, roughly 2 seconds quicker than the LaFerrari.

McLaren 750S

To the untrained eye, the 750S is almost indistinguishable from the preceding 720S. However, with the retirement of the more potent 765LT range, the 750S is the most potent McLaren still in production today. That said, it doesn't feature a hybrid system like the P1, relying solely on a turbocharged V8 to produce more power than the P1's engine could muster on its own. It was founded on the second generation of the MonoCage structure used in the P1 and supported by a double wishbone suspension system accompanied by active dampers and McLaren's Proactive Chassis Control III system. It's more powerful, more versatile, and significantly less expensive than the P1.

Porsche 991.2 911 GT2 RS

The GT2 RS is the amalgamation of the 911 Turbo S' beating heart and the aerodynamic qualities of the GT3 RS. It is a beast, unrivaled even though it's a generation behind the latest RS offerings from Porsche. More than qualified to take the 930 Turbo's title as the widow maker, the GT2 RS offers nearly 700 hp, propelling a two-seater sports car weighing 3,241 lbs at breakneck speeds both in a straight line sprint and around racetracks. While the 918 Spyder was the pinnacle of Porsche's vision in 2015, it only managed to lap the Nürburgring in 6:57 minutes, while the GT2 RS shaved ten seconds off that time.

Bowing Down To Modern Hypercars?

While the Holy Trinity represented the pinnacle of performance just under a decade ago, the standards of performance within the hypercar segment have shifted significantly since then. Comparing V12 engines, the one that powers the GMA T.50 is the most power-dense V12 alive today and arguably the best V12 of the modern era. While beat in terms of power output, the GMA V12 is a more refined twelve-cylinder engine. The Valkyrie doesn't compete with the Holy Trinity when comparing engine types, but in terms of performance and capability, especially against the 918 Spyder, the Valkyrie is a significantly more capable hypercar, which is the closest thing to a Formula One car than any of the Holy Trinity. The Hennessey Venom F5 is one of the most powerful V8-powered cars available in the modern age. These are only a small fraction of the hypercars that exist today, but it's clear that even compared to a select few of them, the Holy Trinity's ranking as the zenith of the automotive world is behind them. However, the band might be getting back together.

The Holy Trinity Reborn

The LaFerrari and the McLaren P1 will soon see their direct successors unveiled to the world. The Ferrari model, codenamed the F250, has already been seen prancing around Maranello, and the P1's successor will soon be unveiled. In the case of the Porsche 918 Spyder, its successor conceptualized as the all-electric Mission X has already been revealed but, Porsche hasn't said anything about it going into production. As it stands, Ferrari and McLaren are the most likely brands to reintroduce their respective members of the Holy Trinity. For now, though, the Mission X still serves as a wonderful showcase that Porsche is more than capable of bringing back what was once the pinnacle of its fleet.

2024-09-30T04:13:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd