Ferrari 458 Italia vs. McLaren MP4-12C: Latter Cleaner Greener

Ferrari CEO, Amedeo Felisa was invited to a Q&A at the recent 2009 Frankfurt motor show. He was asked a number of questions on the new 458 Italia, but we thought we would cover the part of the interview about its rival, the McLaren MP4-12C.

The Car Magazine interview which we found via Autoblog asked Felisa what he thought about the new McLaren MP4-12C. His answer was as if he was reading from a politician’s handbook, he said, ‘We like the challenge. It is important to have the competition. But we are not worried about it – our culture is to do our own development.’

CAR points out to their readers that Ferrari should be worried, let us explain why that is. The new Ferrari 458 Italia produces 562bhp with a body weight of 1380kg. The McLaren produces 600bhp and is also around the same weight. What the McLaren has going for it though is its green credentials, as it is cleaner and greener.

Read what else Amedeo Felisa had to say about the 458 Italia, as well as reports of a Spider version.