700 HP Ford GT Drag Races Stock McLaren 650S in a Clash of Titans

This is exactly what happens in the first clip below, which pits a red 2005 Ford GT against a yellow 2015 McLaren 650S.

The Blue Oval machine’s engine compartment has received plenty of attention. The supercharged 5.4-liter V8 now has a custom pulley, as well as a custom exhaust, with the new hardware obviously being managed by fresh ECU software.

As a result, the Ford GT now delivers 651 hp to the rear wheels, as measured on a DynoJet dynamometer. When it comes to the McLaren, this is present here in stock form, which means it offers 650 hp at the crank.

The two take part in a series of races that offer a clear comparison. While the battles take part on public roads, the two use rolling starts to keep things moving faster.

As we said, these two mid-engined machines are separated by much more than just the decade that sits between their production years. While the McLaren is arguably the most technically advanced car in its class, the Ford GT uses a basic approach.

Swapping those cogs

However, the main difference between the two comes in terms of the gear-shifting moments. The Mac’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission goes up against the Ford’s Ricardo six-speed manual, making for a delicious battle.

For the sake of comparison, we’ve also brought along a second video. This shows the same Ford going up against a McLaren MP4-12C.

PS: the aural experience is on the house. And while most of the credit goes to the Blue Oval machine, the Woking creatures helped with this.