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
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best car tyres 2026 – evo tyre test
evo tyre test 2026
Features

Best car tyres 2026 – evo tyre test

What are the best road tyres for your hot hatch? We tested and ranked nine of them
18 Oct 2026
BMW M2 (F87, 2015 - 2022) review – flawed then but from £20k it’s now fantastic value
BMW M2 (F87)
In-depth reviews

BMW M2 (F87, 2015 - 2022) review – flawed then but from £20k it’s now fantastic value

The original BMW M2 was a muscular sports coupe and an entry point to the M range, but it had its flaws
20 Oct 2026
This mystery Audi Q5 is actually a Porsche Macan, and it has a V8
2028 Porsche Macan
News

This mystery Audi Q5 is actually a Porsche Macan, and it has a V8

Porsche has been caught testing the next combustion-powered Macan beneath the body of an Audi Q5, and it has one very exciting powertrain…
19 Oct 2026