Skip advert
Advertisement

eCoty Pagani Huayra and McLaren MP4-12C picture gallery

The £800,000 Pagani Huayra up against the McLaren 12C. The ultimate track battle? Find out here...

The headline twin test of evo Car of the Year 2012 is a battle you’re unlikely to see anywhere else. It’s also a day Tiff Needell and Richard Meaden – a pair of drivers with some rather enviable CVs – both say they’ll never forget.

The Pagani Huayra and McLaren MP4-12C don’t look like they’ll go toe-to-toe on paper. The Italian superstar is all pantomime, and its twin-turbo V12 engine is one of the year’s biggest hitters, with a stonking 720bhp and 737lb ft. It’s good for 224mph and if you fancy its ornate key in your pocket, you’ll need at least £800,000.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Woking-built McLaren, meanwhile, is a snip at £176,000. Its twin-turbo V8 engine provides 616bhp and 442lb ft, whisking it to a 204mph top speed. Next to the gullwing-equipped Pagani, it looks a little tame, despite its Volcano Orange paint.

As you’ll see in the video below, though, it’s one of the closest, most thrilling track battles we’ve ever filmed. And despite the tight turns of Blyton Park potentially teeing up our biggest insurance claim ever, Needell and Meaden have an absolute ball.

eCoty Track Battle videos

- Morgan 3 Wheeler vs Toyota GT 86 video- BMW M135i vs Porsche 911 Carrera video- Porsche Boxster S vs Lotus Exige S video- Mercedes C63 AMG Black vs Alpina B3 GT3 video- Pagani Huayra vs McLaren MP4-12C video

eCoty Image Galleries

- Morgan 3 Wheeler and Toyota GT 86 - BMW M135i and Porsche 911 Carrera - Porsche Boxster S and Lotus Exige S - Mercedes C63 AMG Black and Alpina B3 GT3 - Pagani Huayra and McLaren MP4-12C

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

McLaren MP4-12C (2011 - 2014) – Ferrari 458 performance for used Porsche 911 money
McLaren MP4-12C
Reviews

McLaren MP4-12C (2011 - 2014) – Ferrari 458 performance for used Porsche 911 money

McLaren's MP4-12C was the company's first step to taking on Ferrari, and what it lacked in emotional connection it made up for with searing performanc…
23 Sep 2025
Revisiting the McLaren MP4-12C, the birth of McLaren Automotive – car pictures of the week
McLaren MP4-12C
Features

Revisiting the McLaren MP4-12C, the birth of McLaren Automotive – car pictures of the week

In issue 333 of evo, we revisit genesis for McLaren Automotive – the first production MP4-12C
27 Apr 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Land Rover Defender Octa review – the super SUV that’s more fun than sports cars
Land Rover Defender Octa – front
In-depth reviews

Land Rover Defender Octa review – the super SUV that’s more fun than sports cars

Put aside your SUV cynicism. The Land Rover Defender Octa is a triumph, with 911 GT3 levels of engineering making it an unexpected thrill to drive
8 Jan 2026
Best performance SUVs 2026 – supercar performance in a family-friendly package
Best performance SUVs
Best cars

Best performance SUVs 2026 – supercar performance in a family-friendly package

High-performance SUV sounds like an oxymoron but in 2026, brute force engineering and clever chassis tech have given us some genuinely exciting fast 4…
5 Jan 2026
Morgan Supersport review – the retro sports car we’d strongly consider over a Porsche 911
Morgan Supersport – front
In-depth reviews

Morgan Supersport review – the retro sports car we’d strongly consider over a Porsche 911

Morgan’s new flagship is its most versatile car yet. But does modernising mean losing the magic?
6 Jan 2026