Audi's challenge to Porsche buyers

[ArBee]

My office faces an Audi dealership and I have just seen the new Audi R8 driving by in black and I have to say this car looks fabulous.

I read somewhere that this car is meant to challenge the C4/C4s and if there are people wavering between a Porsche against another marque then on first sight this Audi, may have a really good case. I just checked it's performance stats on the Audi website and for 77K on the road - this beast is going to turn heads.

http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/new_cars/r8.html

RB

 

[wblackw9]

77K is for the base option and then you can tailor it to your own spec i think upto 108K. My mate has a deposit on one. 3 year waiting list!!!!

 

[thboxster]

Certainly does look good and sounds impressive too.

I've passed one, going the other way, twice in the last week near to where I live. This was in a white variation and looked the part with its LED lights a-blaze. I've also just walked passed one on a display in the centre of London. However it was parked next to a Ferrari, Aston and (my favorite) Lamborghini so it didn't get much of a look in.

 

[Alex L]

Each to their own but I myself wouldn't pay 80 grand on a suped-up Audi TT - I don't care how it handles.

Don't get me wrong, I love Audi (my S3 is simply awesome) - but Audi ain't no Porsche!

 

[Dylan1]

does look nice
but after my half hearted attempt to buy a top spec new audi tt got dismissed by linda in a straight contest with the cayman s i wouldnt even bother trying[]

 

[MarcBC]

As has been said before: Nobody included Audi on the list of 100 things to own before you die!

Personally I do not like the car and from the Audi display model at Goodwood FoS, the equivalent spec to my C2S was approx £ 88,000 compared to £ 78,000. A big delta in my book for a little extra if any. Have there been any circuit test comparisons yet?

 

[sawood12]

The snippets i've read about it so far suggest it is a very strong contender - much stronger than all the other so called Porsche killers that have come and gone over the years. In my view where most of the previous pretenders have failed is that not only do they fail to drive as well as the 911 but they are usually never a true everyday car. In this area is where the R8 excels. Apparently it is every bit as good as an everyday car in traffic and when the roads open up for you it is a match for the 997, if not a more capable. Its engine is apparently the key - it is supposed to be a peach. However with direct fuel injection coming the 997's way soon and the Porsche DSG gearbox I think the R8's position at the top of the pile will be short lived.

It is visually stunning though.

 

[Dapster]

Have there been any circuit test comparisons yet?

The R8 won the Evo magazine test between the 997, Aston and BMW M6. They think it's the dog's danglies and it demolished just about everything on it's lap of the Bedford Aerodrome - they even had some "The King is Dead" type headline, so it probably drives pretty well. It may be that they're just stirring to be a bit controversial, though they are back to Porsche-worshipping in this months issue featuring the GT2 (997 and 996).

http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/planetevovideos/209977/audi_r8.html

 

[pvernham]

Most of the magazine tests have been very positive. I have seen one on the road in London and it looked good.

I have been into two dealerships locally to me to have a look at their display cars and they both quoted 12 months for delivery. They now have their demo cars and one has been chasing me over the past few days as I expressed interest in a test drive, so their waiting lists cannot be that full.

Provisionally booked test drive for Friday if I can organise my diary and I will give it a try with an open mind.

 

[Grant]

Audi is a class brand & the R8 is a class act, lets not forget that Porsche now own the majority share in VW/Audi, so maybe better the devil you know stealing market share! The interesting point is that Audi can sell the car at the price they are, way above the base 997 & still sell out production, proves Porsche need to start moving the game on faster IMO!

Whilst I don't think the R8 is worth GT3 money, it is proving style & mid-engined handling along with usability & practicality will steal sales! With Maserati, Aston & others now starting to get their act together Porsche need to start taking bigger evolutionary steps, they can clearly do this, so watch this space rather like the Ferrari 575 - 599, huge leap! 997-998 lets wait & see.

 

[Dapster]

ORIGINAL: sawood12

Its engine is apparently the key - it is supposed to be a peach. However with direct fuel injection coming the 997's way soon and the Porsche DSG gearbox I think the R8's position at the top of the pile will be short lived.

Audi have the V10 Gallardo engine for the R8 and it's due for launch early next year which should be pretty exciting.

 

[MarcBC]

ORIGINAL: Dapster

Have there been any circuit test comparisons yet?

The R8 won the Evo magazine test between the 997, Aston and BMW M6. They think it's the dog's danglies and it demolished just about everything on it's lap of the Bedford Aerodrome - they even had some "The King is Dead" type headline, so it probably drives pretty well. It may be that they're just stirring to be a bit controversial, though they are back to Porsche-worshipping in this months issue featuring the GT2 (997 and 996).

http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/planetevovideos/209977/audi_r8.html

It must be quick! The 997S beat the M6 and Aston by 6 seconds on the Isle of Man Top Gear race.

Interesting stats in TWO magazine (bike mag) where bikes were pitched against cars in a 0-100-0 comp. The times for the GT3 were 0-100-0 13.6 vs 15.5 for the R8.

This was further broken down to 0-100 in 8.8 for the GT3 vs 10.7 R8 and then 100-0 at 4.00 vs 4.4. The bike magazine crashed the Autocar test and blagged their way in to be included. The fastest car was the Ariel Atom

 

[Chris5150]

I have to say performance figures on one side, I think I seem to be the only person that finds the R8 pug ugly, just dont like it at all. Think the side blade things look awful and the whole thing just reminds me of a sportier TT, which I also dont like.
Mind you to be honest as much as I love many porsche's Ive never really found them that atttractive to look at either...the boxster is just plain ugly as is the Cayenne, not too convinced on the Cayman either...obvioulsy superb machines but hmmm styling not really a strong point.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I think I seem to be the only person that finds the R8 pug ugly,

Not the only one, I've seen a couple and just don't get them.
From the rear they look aggressive and nice, but the side view is so awkward, and I thought it was a TT when one come up to overtake me.
80k for an Audi? Makes pork seem so cheap....and even then I'd rather have a used Gallardo or even an AMV8 if you're that way inclined...even Murcis are going for 100k which isn't far away from a very well specced r8.

Residuals will be poor in 3 years time when all the fanfare is over and it's just an Audi again.

 

[sidicks]

ORIGINAL: sawood12

The snippets i've read about it so far suggest it is a very strong contender - much stronger than all the other so called Porsche killers that have come and gone over the years. In my view where most of the previous pretenders have failed is that not only do they fail to drive as well as the 911 but they are usually never a true everyday car. In this area is where the R8 excels. Apparently it is every bit as good as an everyday car in traffic and when the roads open up for you it is a match for the 997, if not a more capable. Its engine is apparently the key - it is supposed to be a peach. However with direct fuel injection coming the 997's way soon and the Porsche DSG gearbox I think the R8's position at the top of the pile will be short lived.

It is visually stunning though.

I think this sums it up perfectly. The main advantage of the 911 is the rear seats and the additional luggage capacity that this allows.

I had a deposit down for one of the first cars (to replace my 911 (997) Carrera 4S) but in the end decided that I'd stick with Porsche because a decent spec R8 would have been £90k+ and I think residuals will bepoor in 3 years when the honeymoon period is over and the R10 has been launched.

Fantastic car thoughh, and hopefully it will push Porsche in to taking a big leap forward with the 998:
- Modernise the design further, not just a small evolution over the existing model
- Proper i.e. 3 or 4 year warranty
- Upgrade to interior quality to make it more different to the Cayman / Boxster etc
- Decent i.e. class leading Sat Nav and hi-fi / entertainment system
- Improved performance AND fuel economy (new direct injection engines should help here)

Sidicks

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: MarcBC

ORIGINAL: Dapster

Have there been any circuit test comparisons yet?

The R8 won the Evo magazine test between the 997, Aston and BMW M6. They think it's the dog's danglies and it demolished just about everything on it's lap of the Bedford Aerodrome - they even had some "The King is Dead" type headline, so it probably drives pretty well. It may be that they're just stirring to be a bit controversial, though they are back to Porsche-worshipping in this months issue featuring the GT2 (997 and 996).

http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/planetevovideos/209977/audi_r8.html

It must be quick! The 997S beat the M6 and Aston by 6 seconds on the Isle of Man Top Gear race.

Interesting stats in TWO magazine (bike mag) where bikes were pitched against cars in a 0-100-0 comp. The times for the GT3 were 0-100-0 13.6 vs 15.5 for the R8.

This was further broken down to 0-100 in 8.8 for the GT3 vs 10.7 R8 and then 100-0 at 4.00 vs 4.4. The bike magazine crashed the Autocar test and blagged their way in to be included. The fastest car was the Ariel Atom

That's one of my favourite TG's, i've got it kept on Sky+, however I fear the gap between the 997 and the others would be alot less in the dry where the TC on the other two cars would'nt be working overtime, though I still think the 997 would have it! People go on about mid engined cars or cars with 50/50 weight distribution but the good old 911 is still proving that if you can sort out the handling difficulties of a rear engined car then the benefits in all that extra traction is almost unbeatable. I hope that for the 998 they don't move the engine forward to make a little and large Caymen.

The R8 in the video in the above link looks to me to be driven as if it was Postman Pat was behind the wheel. It looked completely pedestrian to me and doesn't do the car justice at all. Compare it to the video that hit the streets when the 997C2S and 997C4S were launched with Walter Rhol absolutely hammering the cars up a twisty Italian Mountain road then back down again, spending more time sideways, tyres smoking at insane speeds. Made me want to sell the house and head down the OPC. Now that's how to sell a performance car!

 

[russtbird]

I think the R8 is a fine machine - sat in one at the local dealership and it oozes quality inside & out and feels like a serious contender when you are in the drivers seat.

We mustn't forget that much of Porsches reputation is built on their Le Mans history and just look at Audi in the LMS/ALMS now, so I am not sure how this car will fare in the market place in a few years time...

Having said that I still think I would go for a 911 over the Audi. The 911 already has the heritage & credibility.

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: MarcBC

ORIGINAL: Dapster

Have there been any circuit test comparisons yet?

The R8 won the Evo magazine test between the 997, Aston and BMW M6. They think it's the dog's danglies and it demolished just about everything on it's lap of the Bedford Aerodrome - they even had some "The King is Dead" type headline, so it probably drives pretty well. It may be that they're just stirring to be a bit controversial, though they are back to Porsche-worshipping in this months issue featuring the GT2 (997 and 996).

http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/planetevovideos/209977/audi_r8.html

It must be quick! The 997S beat the M6 and Aston by 6 seconds on the Isle of Man Top Gear race.

Interesting stats in TWO magazine (bike mag) where bikes were pitched against cars in a 0-100-0 comp. The times for the GT3 were 0-100-0 13.6 vs 15.5 for the R8.

This was further broken down to 0-100 in 8.8 for the GT3 vs 10.7 R8 and then 100-0 at 4.00 vs 4.4. The bike magazine crashed the Autocar test and blagged their way in to be included. The fastest car was the Ariel Atom

Ahh the tests, all hail the new king, well sort of.

The Audi gets great reviews and good for it, it is after a cut down Lambo Guiardo or what ever they call it, wth the RS4 engine and Audi interior - A pretty fine starting point one would say.

Most reviews put the Audi up there with the best in the £80k+ class. Nice one, except, well the basic C2s is £67k about £10-13k cheaper spec for spec, with that difference I'd expect a win.

Also in one area the porsche remained king - Feel and handling, the C4 got a bit of a hit but most mags reconed the C2S reamined way ahead on feel and handling if not out right speed. Hmm what did I buy thats sports car for again............

If we get onto a fairer price comparison you go for an x51 kit with short shift and sports chronon versus boggo R8. The x51 gives 0-60 in 4.4s and according to porsche 0-100 in 9.7s. One magazine recently bore this out with an acceleration time gap of 1s for the 0 -100 in porsche's favour. So even before you go for full price equivalence and a snarling GT3 the Audi is sweating a bit under the challenge.

On a real road as opposed tot a track in dry waether the x51 would show a clean pair of heels because its so much narrower. The R8 is still very vrey wide.

Last point - practical every day car, hmm, the R8 doesnt have a propre boot or any form of rear seats per se, even the porsches small boot and mini rear seats one then score extra praticality points.

So R8 great car, great engine but for me I'd have either the Porsche or the Lambo.

 

[Guest]

I also think it looks naff, far to extreme looking, one or two angles it looks nice, the others I think it looks horrible. Also, owning a porsche is just a special thing.........no interest in an Audi, no matter what it looks or goes like........once the hype dies down, most people will still dream of owning the Porsche and not even notice the R8.