How does your new Audi R8 compare to your modern Ferrari?

The Audi R8 is to modern Ferraris as the Gap is Giorgio Armani.

Compared to the Gallardo it is the ugly sister that will never get laid. Same basic DNA as the beautiful sister but all of the visible parts are too big and not pretty

 

Don't take the R8 through the carwash and dry on high heat... major shrinkage.
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Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear gives it 5 stars! It must be something worth while since he is so critical of all the cars he tests.

 

So does Evo. For what it's worth!

 

I really like the styling, a LOT better than the Gallardo

 

The R8 is a car, I've been lusting after for years. After I grow up, I wouldn't mind picking one up on the cheap, if I could. It looks awesome, and turns heads everywhere, but not as much as a Lambo or Ferrari though...

 

WTF?


After the above post, I'm afraid to even admit I have an R8 parked in the same garage as my Ferrari's.

However, leaving aside the comments of those who don't actually own one, nor have driven one, I say Audi has done a commendable job with the R8. It is not, nor was ever conveived to be, a competitor to a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Simply a different part of the market. As to the "same basic DNA", I'll only suggest to 410SA that he examine the details more closely. IMHO, if there was any comparison, it would be with a 360, but why try to compare two still dissimilar cars? And one is a used car, the other is new, with all the different experiences that entails.

Anyway, the R8 is a fine alternative for times when I don't chose to drive my classic Ferrari V12, or when the 550 is not available. Quicker off the mark than the 550; such a totally different experience! Having ridden in but not driven a Gallardo, I can't compare those, other than to say the R8 feels smaller and has a totally different acceleration experience. Trust me though; the R8 gets just as many phone-cam ops as the G-car!!

James
(going out to the garage now to reassure the R8 that the 550 is not really snickering.......)

 

I think you misunderstood the analogy. The R8 is a fabulous car in every respect, but based on its market position, it price point, its basic design and the fact that it is an Audi, it occupies a spot well below any modern Ferrari in the pecking order of Car marques and models. No slam on the R8, merely a relative positioning statement.

Regarding its relative design versus the Lambo, it is a large blocky structure as opposed to the rather racy looking Lambo, despite having a serious % of common bits.

Enjoy it but yes, those muted sounds really are the 550 snickering quietly to itself

 

I do not own one, but everyone I have talked that does has said it is a phenomenal car.

Its not a car I would traditionally have looked at, but a friend promised to take me for a ride as soon as he gets his. I am tempted to order one, but I am waiting a drive... I think I will end up a buyer.

 

"It is an Audi"

 

It may be an Audi, but the car is amazing. Yes I have driven one and I love it. The new corvette is just an american car but the specs speak for themselves. Audi/Porsche are great cars.

I dont think its fair to say a car isn't worth it just cause of the manufacture. Its price point is less than a ferrari but it will keep up with most cars twice its price.

Antony

 

R8s seem like a civilized and less flashy alternative to the run-of-the-mill supercars. Nice cars, but it will never feel like a Ferrari.

 

Hi guys,

Here in Europe there have been some problems with the powerplant performance (RS4 and R8). Lots of people dynoed the cars ( 4.2 V8 engine) and it was way bellow the 420 hp, it was between 360-380 hp. Some hp more or less is ussual but almost 60 hp in most of the cases is...you are not getting for you paid...Anyone dynoed the car in US?

The design is ok for me but do like much more the 360, here you see almost every day a R8, can't say the same about Ferrari, what a sound.

 

have you seen one? i thought the same thing, then i saw one, much much better looking than the lambo gallardo, minus that odd off-color panel on the back... just wondering

 

I have a 06 Gallardo SE. I recently drove my friend's R8. Very nice platform, but underpowered. Handling is superb....sticks to the road like a Gallardo, but doesn't feel like one. The steering is more responsive, almost feels like a rwd car. The fit and finish is very good, and I like the functional cockpit, good layout, not a lot of usless fluff items either. Overall a very good car.....except for the styling which in mind, draws it's DNA from two ugly siblings.... the audi TT and the Veyron!
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That insult doesn't work, when they make fabulous AWD sedans, and vehicles like the RS4 and RS6, and the upcoming RS6 Avant. That's like saying "It's a BMW".

My R8 keeps getting delayed......but when it does come in I'll come find this thread and let you know what I think.

 

HI-Larious!!!!!

 

I sat in one a few weeks back - dark grey metallic, black interior. It is a good-looking car, and I could see it as a more avant-garde option to the Porsche 911 (all flavors).

I tend to agree with 410SA, however, that it doesn't look like an exotic. It actually does share a lot of styling cues with the Audi TT, and the seats, switchgear and instruments (quite sensibly) have a very Audi/VW family look. It is exceptionally comfortable for a sports car.

I didn't get to drive the R8, but other than being mid-engined there isn't much sense of occasion before you turn the key. Again, not having driven it, I can only comment on my initial impression. FWIW, I love the Audi look/feel (and drive an 08 TT coupe now), but my sense is that it's more businesslike and won't scratch the same itch that an F430 might.

 

No car dyno's to full hp. Typically all Dyno's give rear wheel horse power. The power loss shown above is typical. Most cars lose 15% to 20% when the power arrives at the wheels. What you show above represents less than a 15% loss.
my 2 cents (Non Audi owner) is this is finally an Audi I would think about owning. Good looking and classy. The only reason to own one would be as stated by someone else. Just an alternative to the typical sports car feel. Kind of like an Aston Martin. Great looking but extremely under powered. Great car to take a date to dinner or a movie.

 

Saw one at the car show in Miami Beach. Car was white with a grey panel behind the door. I thought I'd intensely dislike that different colored panel, but it was ok. I thought I'd like the front end treatment, but intensely dislike it, particularly the front 1/3 of the car when viewed from the side. The more I see it, the less I like it: the front of the nose is simply too high off the ground for my tastes, so when you look at it from the side it has an awkward pointy 'v' shape to it.

Too bad, too, because it would have been a nice daily driver, but I can't get past my disdain for the looks.

 

Well, at least we're in agreement that it's not trying to be a Ferrari! It's a strong statement in another part of the market.

As for "large blocky....vs....racy looking", maybe we can agree that that's in the eye of the beholder....?
"serious% of common bits"? I've looked under the skin (the cutaway car displayed in LV at the intro event, and the production line), and I simply don't see any common parts.
Common philosophy...maybe....V8, mid-engine, AWD, lots of aluminum (both still too heavy)....

James
(I had a talk (and a short sprint) with the 550; no problem, it understands the pecking order just fine......)

 

Has anyone picked up a copy of Evo? Here's the thread on the Car of the Year for 2007
http://www.rennteam.com/showflat.php?Cat=0...7239#Post398155

Results

1st Porsche 997 GT3 RS = 95.7
2nd Ferrari 430 Scuderia = 94.9
3rd Audi R8 = 93.6

4th Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black = 91.4
5th BMW M3 = 90.9

 

Great Video of R8

http://www.pcplanets.com/videoyoutube-Jeremy-Clarkson-Supercar-Showdown-Audi-R8.R8AusQIt57I.shtml

Jeremy Clarkson - Supercar Showdown - Audi R8