The LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder are often called the “holy trinity” because all three are hybrid hypercars from the same era, and each pairs a combustion engine with electric power in a different way. On a simulator you can drive them back to back on the same circuit and feel those differences in how the power arrives and which wheels it goes to.
The three cars at a glance
| Car | Combustion engine | Electric assistance | Combined output | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaFerrari | 6,262 cc naturally aspirated V12, 800 cv | HY-KERS hybrid system | 963 cv | 0–100 km/h in 2.9 s (Ferrari) |
| McLaren P1 | 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 | One electric motor | 903 hp, 664 lb-ft | Rear-wheel drive; 375 built, production ended December 2015 (Kelley Blue Book) |
| Porsche 918 Spyder | 4.6-liter V8, 608 hp | Two electric motors, 286 hp combined | 887 hp | All-wheel drive via a front-axle motor; 6:57 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (Porsche) |
How they differ behind the wheel
LaFerrari
Ferrari says the LaFerrari was the first Ferrari road car to use its HY-KERS hybrid technology, and that until its launch in 2013 no naturally aspirated engine in a road-going Ferrari had delivered such performance. Expect a high-revving engine — Ferrari quotes maximum revs of 9,250 rpm — with electric torque filling in below it.
McLaren P1
The P1 sends its combined 903 hp to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (Kelley Blue Book). Turbo V8 plus rear drive means throttle discipline matters out of slow corners.
Porsche 918 Spyder
The 918 is the odd one out: Porsche puts an electric motor on the front axle as well as the rear, making it all-wheel drive, and it lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:57, which Porsche says beat the seven-minute mark for a road-legal car.
Which one should a first-timer drive?
Honest answer: with roughly 900 horsepower each, none of the three is the easiest car for a guest who has never driven a sim. If your group is mostly beginners, start them in something more forgiving — a GT3 car is a good choice — and save the hypercars for a “fastest lap of the night” challenge. Tell us which cars you want and we will confirm what we can set up for your date; see the cars page for ideas.
What the motion platform can and cannot do
A motion platform cannot hold you under real g-forces for seconds at a time, because it can only move within a small range. Motion-cueing software works around that. Researchers describe reproducing the quick, high-frequency part of each movement with real platform motion, tilting the seat so gravity stands in for longer accelerations, and then slowly “washing out” back to center so the platform stays inside its limits (Scheidel et al., arXiv). SIGMA Integrale describes its DK2 system as servo-motor actuators with 2 inches (50 mm) of travel, driven by the game’s telemetry to produce pitch, roll and heave for braking, acceleration, cornering and road texture.
Our fleet is 10 full-motion rigs. The full-motion rigs use SIGMA Integrale 2DOF/3DOF motion platforms, which are driven by electric actuators.
Book a hypercar challenge
A three-car hypercar shootout works well as a showpiece at a brand or dealership event. It fits corporate team-building, private parties, brand activations and trade shows. We deliver, set up, staff and tear down at hotels, event venues, offices and private homes. On-site staffing is included for up to 4 rigs.
Full-motion rigs are $2,750 per rig per day, with a $2,000 event minimum, all plus tax and insurance. Delivery is free within 50 miles of Miami; farther out, we quote delivery on request. See pricing for volume discounts. We also sell and lease simulators for homes and businesses. Our showroom and demo space is at 2920 NW 5th Ave, Suite 105, Miami, an address we share with Shift Arcade Miami.
Call (754) 228-5654, email hello@simsforhire.com or send an inquiry; we reply within 24 hours and can book with as little as 24 hours of lead time.