The McLaren 750S coupe and Ferrari 296 GTB take different powertrain approaches: a non-hybrid twin-turbo V8 versus a plug-in-hybrid V6. Their manufacturers' figures explain those differences, but they do not establish which car drives better. Motorz.ca has not road-tested either vehicle for this comparison.
Which versions are being compared?
The McLaren figures below come from its 750S product brochure, marked EU/UK specifications as of April 25, 2024. They describe the coupe, not the heavier Spider. Ferrari's 296 GTB technical release describes the standard GTB, not the GTS, GT3 or later Speciale.
These are documented configurations rather than a claim that two currently advertised Canadian cars have identical model-year equipment. Ferrari's 2024 annual report places the 296 GTB in its range for that period. An individual Canadian vehicle still needs its own specification checked.
Powertrain and output
- 750S coupe: 3,994 cc twin-turbo V8, rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed transmission. McLaren lists 750 PS, also expressed as 740 bhp, and 800 Nm.
- 296 GTB: 2,992 cc V6 plug-in hybrid, rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Ferrari lists 830 cv of combined-system output in Qualify mode and a 7.45 kWh high-voltage battery.
PS and cv are metric-horsepower conventions; neither should silently be presented as the same number of mechanical horsepower. The Ferrari's combined-system figure should not be compared with its engine-only output as if they were equivalent measurements.
Size and manufacturer-claimed performance
McLaren lists the coupe at 4,569 mm long, 1,196 mm high and a 2,670 mm wheelbase. Ferrari lists 4,565 mm, 1,187 mm and 2,600 mm respectively. Their quoted width figures use different mirror conventions, so this article does not present them as directly comparable garage-clearance measurements.
The published 0–100 km/h claims are 2.8 seconds for the McLaren and 2.9 seconds for the Ferrari; 0–200 km/h is 7.2 and 7.3 seconds respectively. Those small differences are manufacturer claims, not results from a shared test with matched conditions.
What the numbers do not answer
Neither a power figure nor a fraction of a second establishes visibility, comfort, service experience or suitability for a particular owner. Dry weights also depend on definitions and optional lightweight equipment; they should not be mixed with running-order weights to manufacture an advantage.
For a Canadian purchase, establish the exact car, its history, equipment and a current written price. This article supplies no invented Canadian MSRP and names no driving winner. The car-buying hub provides broader decision-making context.
Image disclosure: AI-generated conceptual illustration. Not exact McLaren or Ferrari vehicles or evidence of comparative testing.