In pictures: Lambo and Ferrari go head-to-head

The Ferrari 430 Scuderia and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560/4 are quite similar cars. They both cost well over £100,000, they both have power over 500bhp and they can both reach 60mph in under four seconds. However, both also manage to combine track-car performance with everyday road use (sort of) but they are not for the faint-hearted; they are both serious performance cars with the power to turn your face inside out. The facts say it all...

Scuderia

Price £173,000. Power 503bhp. 0-60mph 3.4 seconds. Top speed 198mph. Fuel consumption average 15.7mpg. Weight 1350kg. CO2 emissions 360g/km.

Lamborghini

Price £143,000. Power 552bhp. 0-60mph 3.7 seconds. Top speed 202mph. Fuel consumption average 20.6mpg. Weight 1410kg. CO2 emissions 327g/km.

The 430 Scuderia and the Lambo are tuned-up, lighter and more powerful versions of other cars. The Scuderia is based on the new Ferrari F430, which is why it looks similar and the Lamborghini is based on the normal Gallardo, but with these extra tweaks (and with power of nearly 560bhp) they call it the LP560/4.

Both are very attractive-looking cars and have a similar shape to their bodies. The Ferrari has a very sleek and curvy body shell but with a few prominent features, such as the aggressive-looking grilles at the front. The Lambo is much the same and takes styling tips from the firm's Reventon concept car; it has harsher-style lines creating a more modern look than the Ferrari.

The interior of the Lambo is surprisingly practical and now two people can sit comfortably in the front without having a bone-shaking ride like in some other Lamborghinis. The functions are now easy to use and the driver can change the car's settings quickly and simply via the on-board computer, whereas in some supercars you'd need to be an IT expert to even turn the radio on. Don't think about taking any more than just the one passenger, though, as the Lambo is a strict two-seater... but at least it would save weight.

It's a similar story in the Ferrari. There are only two front seats, that are partly made from carbon fibre to save weight, with just enough room for a bag or two behind. Extra luggage can be stored in the boot at the front of the car, which is surprisingly spacious for a supercar. Critics have reported that the driving position in the car is excellent; the driver feels right in control with all the necessary buttons at their finger tip. However, the movement of the pedals is interfered by the wheel arch and the cabin is very noisy, even at low speeds.

In just 3.7 seconds the LP560/4 can get from zero to 60mph, and then onwards to a staggering 202mph. Driving this car will certainly be an experience. The new Lambo has a four-wheel drive system so handling and traction are much better than the 'base' model. Drivers can turn into any corner at high speed and it will react perfectly with not even a flick of oversteer. There is also a special semi-automatic transmission pack that buyers can have as a £7,000 optional extra; this system ensures incredibly fast gear changes for the true petrol-heads. The new Gallardo is fitted with a 5.2 litre V10 engine and it's no surprise that this delivers an amazing sound when pushed to the limit.

Unsurprisingly, the Ferrari is the same when it comes to driving and handling. There is so much grip through the corners that, like the Lambo, it handles beautifully. This, combined with the sheer speed, means drivers can exit any corner with the confidence to floor the accelerator and all of this can be done in a matter of seconds with exact precision and no wobbles.

The Scuderia's base price is £173,000 but this is just the start. The options list for this car features some of the things that would be expected as standard for this price, but the majority of popular extras only add to the hefty price tag. Examples include a sat-nav and CD player at £2,688, metallic paint at £5,692, racing-type livery (racing stripes) is £4,616 and for just £312, there is the option of having a passenger airbag off-switch. It may be worth saving the extra money to know the passenger airbag is always enabled, especially in a car like this.

The Lamborghini is a bit cheaper than the Ferrari... it's only £143,000! Like the Ferrari, though, optional extras are costly extras. Drivers of either car should also be aware that fuel consumption is quite poor and they would be spending a lot of time, and money, at the pumps. Expect just 20.6mpg in the Lambo but in the Ferrari, it's only 15.7. Similarly, eco-conscious drivers should opt for a different car as both of these are quite unhealthy; the Scuderia produces 360g/km of CO2 and the Lambo produces 327g/km. Comparing this to something like a BMW 3 Series saloon, with CO2 emissions of just 123g/km, it gives you an idea of just how un-environmentally-friendly these supercars are.

Yet, they wouldn't be supercars without the extortionate price tag and the eye-watering technical statistics. For the joy of reaching 200mph, it might just be worth it.