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There are two schools of thought when it comes to the world's finest supercars. One believes that performance is an art form — visceral, emotional, and draped in Italian passion. The other holds that speed is a science — calculated, precise, and relentlessly engineered. In Los Angeles, where Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway unspools like a ribbon of asphalt temptation and the Hollywood Hills demand equal parts agility and drama, that debate has a very specific address. Welcome to the ultimate showdown: Ferrari vs. McLaren.
At ASR Luxury, we've put our fleet's finest Italian and British thoroughbreds head-to-head so you can decide which machine deserves your next weekend behind the wheel. On one side, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Ferrari 812 Superfast — two very different expressions of Maranello's genius. On the other, the McLaren 720S — Woking's most celebrated road weapon. Let's get into it.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale: The Hybridized Heartbeat of Maranello
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is not merely a supercar — it is Ferrari's definitive statement about the future. Packing a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 mated to three electric motors, it produces a staggering 986 horsepower, making it the most powerful road-going Ferrari ever built at the time of its release. The SF90's hybrid system isn't just an environmental concession; it's a performance weapon. Instant electric torque fills gaps between gear changes, obliterating the 0-60 sprint in under 2.5 seconds.
Now take that machine and point it toward PCH at sunset. The engine note — a complex, layered symphony that blends electric whir with Italian V8 thunder — echoes off the canyon walls above Malibu in a way that feels almost cinematic. Every input from the wheel, every press of the throttle, feels intensely communicated. Ferrari's Side Slip Control system keeps the SF90 planted even when you're pushing the limits through the sweeping curves above the Palisades.
Our SF90 Stradale in Rosso Corsa with black interior is arguably one of the most photographed cars in our entire exotic car fleet. It attracts attention the way few machines on earth can — and in Los Angeles, that's saying something. This is the car you rent when you want to make Rodeo Drive feel like your personal runway.
"The SF90 Stradale doesn't just move through traffic — it rewrites the physics of what you thought a road car could do."
Ferrari 812 Superfast: Naturally Aspirated Fury, Unfiltered
If the SF90 is Ferrari's vision of tomorrow, the 812 Superfast is its love letter to the golden era of pure combustion. Beneath that impossibly long hood sits a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 producing 789 horsepower — and unlike turbocharged rivals, every single one of those horses is summoned directly from the revving soul of the engine itself. No lag. No buffer. Just raw, linear power building to a 9,000 RPM crescendo that is, without exaggeration, one of the greatest sounds in automotive history.
Our 812 Superfast in a distinctive teal finish turns heads in a completely different way than the SF90. Where the hybrid is about technological spectacle, the 812 is about presence — wide, low, and aggressive, with rear-wheel steering that makes it feel almost telepathic through the tighter sections of Mulholland Drive. According to Top Gear, the 812 Superfast remains one of the last true analog supercars — an experience that will likely become increasingly rare as electrification reshapes the industry.
For the driver who wants to feel every mechanical nuance, who lives for the orchestral climb through the rev range, and who understands that the point of a supercar is the experience rather than merely the destination — the 812 is deeply, irreversibly addictive. On the open stretches of PCH between Santa Monica and Point Dume, it's as close to perfection as four wheels can offer.
McLaren 720S: Precision Weaponry from Woking
The McLaren 720S operates in a different philosophical universe than either Ferrari. Where Maranello favors emotion and theater, McLaren — born from Formula 1 — approaches the supercar with ruthless, data-driven efficiency. The 720S wields a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing 710 horsepower, channeled through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and a carbon fiber monocoque chassis that weighs almost nothing.
The result is a car that feels almost supernaturally fast in a way that's different from the Ferraris — not noisier, not more theatrical, but more precise. Every force is controlled, directed, and optimized. The dihedral doors, which swing upward rather than out, are not merely a styling flourish — they improve access to the cockpit and reduce the car's frontal area. Everything on the 720S has a reason.
Behind the wheel of our McLaren 720S on the serpentine roads above Hollywood Hills, the car reveals its true character. The steering is surgical. The braking — courtesy of McLaren's carbon-ceramic package — is confidence-inspiring in a way that encourages you to carry far more speed into corners than feels rational. The active suspension, which reads the road surface 1,000 times per second, keeps the car compliant on LA's imperfect tarmac while remaining devastatingly composed when you deploy full throttle.
If the Ferraris are rock concerts, the McLaren 720S is a masterclass in jazz — structured, articulate, and deeply rewarding for those who listen carefully.
Head-to-Head: PCH vs. The Hollywood Hills
The best way to understand these machines is to consider the two signature LA drives that define the supercar experience in Southern California.
Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
On the long, sweeping coastal stretches of PCH — where visibility is high, the road opens up, and the Pacific glitters to your right — all three cars are breathtaking. But the SF90 Stradale's hybrid launch and top-end thrust make it feel genuinely other-worldly on the straights. The 812 Superfast, with its naturally aspirated V12 singing at full voice against the ocean breeze, delivers perhaps the most purely emotional experience of the three. The McLaren counters with composure — it's the car you'd want if PCH suddenly became a racetrack.
Mulholland Drive & Hollywood Hills
Tighten the roads, add elevation changes, and throw in some technical hairpins above the city lights — and the dynamic shifts. Here, the McLaren 720S earns its reputation. Its mid-engine balance, lighter weight relative to the SF90, and almost telepathic steering make it the most agile tool for the job. The 812 Superfast, being front-engined and longer, requires more commitment and respect — but rewards confident drivers with a drama that the McLaren simply cannot replicate. As Robb Report has noted, the 812 represents one of the last visceral, analog connections between driver and machine in an increasingly digital world.
The Verdict on Each
- Ferrari SF90 Stradale — Best for: Maximum spectacle, technology flex, and the most outright performance numbers. The ultimate arrival car.
- Ferrari 812 Superfast — Best for: Purists who live for the V12 sound and want an experience that can never be fully digitized. Emotionally irreplaceable.
- McLaren 720S — Best for: Drivers who want to be tested, who prize precision over theater, and who understand that fast and connected aren't always the same thing.
Beyond the Drive: Building the Complete LA Supercar Weekend
Choosing your supercar is only the beginning. The true luxury Los Angeles experience is about curating every element — from where you wake up to where you end the night. Consider pairing your Ferrari or McLaren rental with a stay at one of our luxury Hollywood Hills estates, where floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame views of the city that rival anything you'll see from behind the wheel. Properties like the Mount Olympus Modern Glass Mansion or the Hercules Heights Hollywood Hills estate offer the kind of setting that makes arriving in a Ferrari feel entirely appropriate.
For those building a full luxury itinerary, our editorial guide on experiencing Malibu and the Hollywood Hills offers curated recommendations — and if you're considering an extended LA lifestyle weekend, pairing your supercar with a private yacht charter from our yacht fleet turns a great trip into something genuinely unforgettable.
Whether you ultimately choose the prancing horse or the Woking-built weapon, one thing is certain: Los Angeles was made for supercars. The roads are legendary, the scenery is unmatched, and the culture is built for exactly this kind of indulgence.
Ready to settle the debate for yourself? Explore our full exotic car fleet or contact our concierge team to build a bespoke experience around your choice. The SF90, 812 Superfast, and 720S are all available — the only question is which one has your name on it.
