Comments on: Audi R8 Review

By: muffinman

muffinman — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:12:23 +0000

Based on prices, the R8 is closer to a near-exotic/near-supercar.

Who died and made Brock Landers the authority on what defines a supercar?

I’m going to go out on a limb and propose that Audi kidnapped Brock’s dog based on his hatred for the company and every critically-lauded product it releases.

Brock, for the record, please state what year your Honda Civic is before acting like you’re the God of Supercars. Thanks.

By: R8A8LMARION

R8A8LMARION — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:58:36 +0000

I am a lucky owners of an Audi a8L and a Audi R8 Rtronic both car are totaly different,but both car are the top of the list in term of super sport car and luxury executive car.That is only my point of vue but at least I could give you the opinion of someone who drive both car on a day to day use.Hoping it could be helpfull to any one who intend to buy one or the other Audi top of the line.AUDI MAKE GREAT CARS

By: daverodal

daverodal — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:21:04 +0000

This car is beautiful….

Too bad I’ll never be able to afford it.

By: tristan

tristan — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 01:15:25 +0000

i think this will sell about as well as the nsx too. will flop after 1st hundred or so.

By: Brock_Landers

Brock_Landers — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:29:14 +0000

Jay you are argumenting like Audi’s marketing chief :) In what sense is the R8 easier to drive than the 911? If you like to compare engines, then 997 GT3 engine with far less displacement produces about the same amount of power 3.6L, 411hp, 8400rpm redline – that’s a supercar engine.

PS! I don’t get Audis cooperation with B&O – every audiophile knows that B&O stereos are about design not sound quality. B&O uses cheap mass produced components in their home systems and makes the outside look good and high quality. You pay for the design, not the sound. In hi-fi world B&O is a joke, compared for example to Mark Levinson which manufactures true HQ systems with very expensive and specially developed components inside.

The 4WD system in the R8 is also way out of the supercar league – Porsche 959 form the 80’s, Nissan Skyline GT-R from 1989 and Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru STI models starting form the mid 90’s all have more sophisticated and driver orientated 4WD systems than the R8.

Please read the last comment from eliot :)
http://news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/coupes/audi-r8-makes-debut-in-wild-west-here%E2%80%99s-an-advance-preview-of-our-day-at-the-wheel/

By: Robert Rosenberg

Robert Rosenberg — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 22:55:27 +0000

It’s a lash-up.

Nose is too long by half.

The door cut line and the front wheel arch are from two different cars.

This is a supercar designed by a mypoic with a chainsaw.

No thanks.

By: Jay Shoemaker

Jay Shoemaker — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 21:50:09 +0000

The point of the R8 is this: almost affordable exotic that you can drive everyday. The only other car that fits this definition is the Porsche 911.

In a head to head comparison, the 911 accelerates faster (certainly the turbo version), sounds better (from the driver’s seat), has a nicer interior (as long as you pop for another $20K worth of stuff) and can be acquired for less money. The R8 brings more exclusivity (at least at the outset), is easier to drive, has a more compliant suspension and an awesome B&O stereo (for an equally awesome price).

When Porsche drops a DSG transmission in the 911, the scale will tip in their favor. Until then, the R8 gets my nod.

By: Brock_Landers

Brock_Landers — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 08:26:25 +0000

* When a supercar is made from ground up to be economically very profitable…

PS! Audi 4.2 V8 engines are 1. 350hp and 2. 420hp, I’m sure they share a lot more then a waterpump and a engine block ;)

By: Brock_Landers

Brock_Landers — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 08:16:19 +0000

Ferrari is about high revving screaming V12’s with racing pedigree
Lamborghini – revolutionary jaw-dropping design and howling V12’s
Porsche – 911 – cult design, racing heritage, synonym of handling, pioneer in turbocharging
BMW M series – handling, revolutionary engines/technology, racing heritage
Corvette – rumbling macho V8’s, most afforable real supercar on the market
Newcomer in the 90’s – NSX – revolutionary high revving V6 engine, unmatched hp/per litre output
Cizeta Moroder V16T – out of this world V16 engine and design
Bugatti Veyron – out of this world performance and power output
Skyline GTR – racing heritage, legendary engine and revolutionary 4WD system/handling

etc etc.

What has the R8 to offer to chrash this party? When a supercar is made to be economically very profitable and is created solely on marketing purpouses, then this supercar has no soul, it cannot capture your(car enthusiast’s) heart.

By: Brendan McAleer

Brendan McAleer — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 02:48:13 +0000

ash:
Does it come in a wagon? :D

I would happily trade my WRX wagon for an RS4 Avant. Oh, and I’d throw in a testicle too. The left one.

By: Jonny Lieberman

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:39:31 +0000

While I have yet to drive it, I was able to sit in an R8 for quite a while and goof around with the gorgeous gated shifter.

The experience was MUCH better than inside a Z06, naturally.

Though, I did get a Z06 to 60 in less than four seconds (and I can hardly drive), so there is always that.

By: doctorv8

doctorv8 — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:08:06 +0000

Yes, but for most, the R8’s radical looks, AWD traction, and refined demeanor will outweigh the Z06’s sizeable performance advantage.

By: superbeetle

superbeetle — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:47:35 +0000

@Sajeev –

Funny you should mention the Z06 vs. the R8. I had a chance to test drive the Audi at the same Vegas event, and as I cruised around the city’s pre-fab-dotted highways, one of the top-dog Vettes pulled alongside, the guy in the driver’s seat giving my ride a once-over that ended with the universal “It’s on” nod. Willing to oblige (with someone else’s supercar), I dropped into third and stomped the pedal.

I never really had a chance, and quickly caught a nice view of the Vette’s ass end. Twenty seconds and one doubled speed limit later we both eased off. At the next spotlight he asked what the hell I was driving (with a grin that made me want to smack him). Once I explained, he said, “Well, at least it’s beautiful,” then pulled off.

Nothing ruins a good supercar like a faster, cheaper one.

By: Chris Daniel

Chris Daniel — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:19:01 +0000

So, Mr. Shoemaker,

Would you be interested in letting a few of us bay-area readers come look around your garage? I promise to bring at least two cars faster than the R8- but not nearly as nice.

By: doctorv8

doctorv8 — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 19:43:40 +0000

I haven't had the pleasure yet of driving an RS4, but it sure sounds fantastic. Who would've imagined 10 years ago that we'd have so many choices of sonorous 8000+ rpm motors that are tractable and reliable daily sloggers as well?

By: NickR

NickR — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:50:29 +0000

I saw one of these in the flesh at the car show. Only one thing I would change and that’s the carbon fibre panel on the side. It looks terrible in person, like someone decided that it wasn’t avant garde enough without carbon fibre, so they decided ‘what the hell, make this part out of carbon fibre’. Brushed aluminum, or anything else, would look better.

That being said, the car sure has presence in person. Why, why, why is budget always so modest?

By: Jonny Lieberman

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:36:03 +0000

Ahem

THis is not he Audi 4.2.

While it is an Audi V8 that displaces 4.2 liters, it has a single part in common with the regular 4.2-liter V8. The water pump, I believe.

Brock, if the worst thing about the R8 is the engine, then it is the greatest car ever built, period.

By: ash78

ash78 — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:54:51 +0000

I see where Brock is coming from, I touched on it above–it’s a little disappointing to see yet another use for the Audi 4.2, but anything larger or more complex would have bumped up the price, weight, and complexity. I’m sure we’ll see more exotic engines in the near future, they just want to get their foot in the door. The entry-supercar and entry-uberlux classes are both pretty new, and VAG seems to be doing pretty well with this car and with Bentley in those segments, respectively.

Does it come in a wagon? :D

By: Brock_Landers

Brock_Landers — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 09:04:42 +0000

My point is that it has been done before and in 2007 it is nothing special by supercar standards.

By: Mrb00st

Mrb00st — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:26:04 +0000

are you kidding? A V8 with considerable low end torque that revs out to 8250 rpms and sounds like god playing a saxophone isn’t impressive?

You need to adjust your standards.

By: Brock_Landers

Brock_Landers — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:05:29 +0000

Not a true supercar. Only purpouse of this car is to strengthen the image of Audi. Today all the Luxury car manufacturers are introducing so called “image builders”-Infiniti GTR, Lexus LF-A, Acura NSX etc. Sadest thing about R8 is it’s enigne, it is not revolutionary, it doesn’t contain any new previously unseen technologies, the power output is average and hp/per litre output is also average. ALL true supercars have legendary engines that offered technologies and/or hp figures that were groundbreaking and unimaginable in an ordinary production car. This engine has been in production over a year in a four door mass produced sedan. Technology in this Audi is dull, boring – no flash, pizzaz :) Supercars are about ground breaking performance/handling, design, revolutionary technology and foremost the engine. Audi has only on part covered – design. R8 is kind of a futuristic poser-mobile with a barbie doll feel to it. For example the 1.8t weighing M5 is 10 times more supercar than the R8.

By: nino

nino — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 06:25:32 +0000

….even year-old Gallardos & F430s available for the same money,

Year old F430s are going anywhere from $200,000 on up to $330,000 for an F1 F430 Spider.

But if you happen to find a year old F430 (that actually runs) for the estimated $120,000 of the Audi R8, please give me a call.

By: Brendan McAleer

Brendan McAleer — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:30:39 +0000

Nice car. How much do I save by just buying the RS4 instead?

Okay then, now how much will I save on tickets?

By: dean

dean — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:08:39 +0000

The shape in profile looks very similar to a G35 coupe. In fact, the R8 could pass as a tuner version of the same.

I happen to think the G35 coupe is a very nice looking car, so I happen to like the R8. A little less bling would be preferable.

By: HEATHROI

HEATHROI — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:24:27 +0000

I wonder if somebody in Ingolstadt resents Lambo being the halo car.

the R8 will not rule – well my money’s on the GT3. Anyone know of test times at the ‘Ring?