R8 - Exotic or Not?

It's just an Audi, albeit the finest consumer Audi ever built. When I hear the term, "exotic car", I think of exclusitivity, cost, performance, desireability, etc. Based on your own interpretation, do you think that the Audi R8 is an "exotic car"?

 

Nope... Volume manufactures can not make exotics, IMHO. Expect, I guess, Porsche.

NSX: No
LS-F: No
SLR: Almost, but no.
Carrera GT: Yes
Any 911: No
Corvette: No
Viper: No


..I would say all of the above could be classified as SUPERCARS, however.

 

SLR, no?? Wow, those are high standards there. I personally don't like the elongated hood of the SLR, but I'd still consider it as an exotic car just based upon the exclusivity and price alone.

 

+1

 

The SLR is a HYPERCAR, no doubt, but I just don't think Mercedes can make a EXOTIC. They make Taxis and Vans...

I could, however, be convinced due to the Mclaren connection.

Lucas.

 

+2

 

Based on the parameters, I think the R8 is an exotic. It isn't a mass production car. Only 20 are being built each day for world wide production. It is actually a bargain for the type of car you're getting for the price. Performance is on par with cars in much higher price brackets. And I think desirability is unquestionable on just the way the car looks. The car can turn heads as much as if not more so than a 430.

I think volume manufacturers can make exotics. Look at the Ford GT, do you consider that an exotic? I know I do.
I would also have to say that there are porches that I just drool over. I mean how can you not put a GT3RS or a GT2 in the exotic category. Each car company has the epitome of technology and engineering all put into one car. For Porsche its the carrera GT for Mercedes the SLR and now for Audi it is the R8. I would definitely call the R8 exotic.

 

It has all of those

 

I personally don't think it rises quite to Exotic. It seems to me to be a Porshce 997S4/Turbo/AM V8 competitor. Surely nobody is seriously putting it into the Ferrari 430 territory, much less then as a V12 alternative? Gallardo, yes - this one, not quite.

Caveat -

If you guys recall, I got thoroughly hammered flat (and labeled an old fark) on a sports car definition thread because I thought the lowly Mazda Miata was in fact a modern-day sports car.

I got told it was NOT a sports car because real sports cars must have at least 400HP.

So, I am calling the R8 a sports car but not quite an exotic sports car.

 

From this comment and the comments below, I can draw the following conclusion.... or at least, make this observation:

A volume manufacturer CAN make an exotic, if it's an exclusive supercar.
The car company itself may not necessarily by an exotic-only manufacturer, but that does not make the car a non-exotic.

Does that make sense?

Let me make this analogy.
Say, you like Jessica Simpson, at least in comparison to Ashley Simpson. So... the father may be a parent of a good-looking person and someone who's... umm... not so much. But that doesn't make Jessica Simpson any less attractive, just because you find Ashley Simpson unattractive.

On the other hand, I'm sure there are people who prefer Ashley, and still others, who can't stand them both. To each his own, I guess.

~shahedc
.

 

No Compromise!!

I'm sorry, but if you see a strange looking car and ask your buddy what it is and he says "Mercedes" or "Acura" it carries a whole lot less cachet than if he says "Pagani" or "Vector."

That's the EXOTIC difference.

 

so then you're talking about 2 different things here... an exotic brand and an exotic car.

Mercedes and Porsche are both luxury brands, but the SLR and the CGT are both exotic cars. If you disagree, then go tell it to the people who buy, sell, rent or otherwise deal with these exotic cars.

~shahedc
.

 

Great Point, shahedc! I think that you pointed out a fine distinction here.

 

What makes the Porsche CGT an exotic and the Mercedes SLR not? What about the Ford GT?

 

GT: No
CGT: Yes, because Porsche is niche enough (for the moment) and prestigious enough to produce an exotic.

I'm not talking about two different things guys, I've said from the beginning that a non exotic manufacturer can not build an exotic. Theycan build a million dollar hyper car, it's just not an exotic.

Lucas.

 

I think what is putting off the SLR (not in my book in my book its a exotic) is just due to the CGT is mid engined and the SLR is Front engined AUTO. Id counter some points pointing at the 599. The SLR handles excellent, had the tec in it (carbon ceramic brakes, huge powerful engine) i don't know why someone wouldn't classify it as an exotic (400+K price tag) As for the Ford GT i say yes, its price is low which makes it abit odd, but it has everything else, low production numbers, mid engined, hp, handling etc. and if ppl say the whole american thing, the wheels are BBS, tranny is Getreg, the chassis was designed by lotus and tweaked by Europeans, so the only "american" thing is the engine lol

 

EXOTIC has nothing to due with performance, materials, price, etc... IMHO.


It has to due with brand and volume ...and proclivity to break down.

Good example.... Panoz is an exotic. So is the Quvale. Are they supercars? No way!

 

Jay Leno & Paris Hilton. (whoops, I guess Jay has both...) I guess the SLR is, too (just on price) - but that auto transmission bothers me.

Ford GT? Exotic by any of my standards - especially the originals that won LeMans and had a few street cars made up, too.

One thing we should be clearly learning from this thread is that volume mfgrs can certainly make an exotic. Mercedes? What about the Gullwing 300SL which followed the famous 300SLR racers?

 

Who gives a damn, it seems like a really great car and it deserves its deserved kudos no matter Exotic category or not. I don't understand people trying to figure out what qualifies as a exotic.

 

Inane unwinable arguments are what the internet is all about!!!

 

For the record, while the R8 is not an exotic, I am in love with it.

I nearly got thrown out of the Frankfurt IAA this weekend for beating off to one that had been modified with ITBs.

so sexy... want to touch the hiney...

Lucas.

 

So tell me, what does it take to ACTUALLY get thrown out of there?

 

Remarking that BMW's styling has lost it's way.

They considered my act flattering, jut not appropriate.

 

I had the pleasure of sitting in an R8 in Brussels two months ago, and believe me... it is definately exotic, at least IMHO.

Mike in Kuwait

 

I don't think the R8 is special enough to carry the title of 'exotic,' just like the 911.