killav

Driving back from Lake Grapevine today in the nine two 8 and saw the eerie glint from the day time LED's of a silver Audi R8 approaching fast from behind heading towards Hwy 121/aka the Grapevine Funnel on 2499/International Prkway. I had the wife and kid with me, so I announced that we might have to act juvenile for a few seconds. That was met with, "no". So when he pulled up beside me-now both of us going about 60mph in a much lower posted speed zone, I rolled down the window, and gave a thumbs up which was immediately returned by the passenger with a a big thumbs up back. The driver rolled on the throttle a litte, and easily passed with little effort. That thing sounded really good. So, we both pulled up to a red light down the road a bit, and I thought we would be side by side, but not to be. A truck pulled in front of me, and I tucked in behind the R8. Now, I told my wife that if he took off, we were going to take off as fast as my car could possibly go and her job was to push the A/C button off right when the light turned green. After all, I knew what this car was packing and knew I stood no chance if he chose to dust me.

I couldn't believe she complied, and when the light turned green, off we went. On cue, she killed the A/C (I needed all the help I could get), and I got ready to mash the throttle through the floor board. He took off a little slow, but he could tell I was ready. He rolled on the gas and I punched it. My car screamed up to red line, and he was easily pulling away, but not as bad as I thought he would. I banged into second gear and moved swiftly into the left lane, but he darted off to the right exit towards HWY 26. (Giving the hwy name/numbers for you locals). I kept my car in second gear and rolled back on it after passing him giving another thumbs up. That car looks outstanding in motion. Not a kill by any means, but a great encounter none the less.

morganabowen

Sounds like you had fun The Audi R8 is one beautiful car

ShawnSmith

R8's are gorgeous. But amusingly they're about as heavy as an S4 (around 3500 pounds give or take options and passengers).

The V8 version of the R8 runs 414 hp, so that's gonna walk away from a stock S4. The V10 R8 is more like 518 hp which is where things finally start edging into the exotic territory.

Hmmm... My S4 is at 3500 pounds with me in it, and when Greg's done tuning (if he can get his darn sharktuner to behave) we're looking at upper-300's at the wheels or mid 400's at the crank - enough to hang with the lower tier R8, and keep the V10 within sight. Maybe...

pcar928fan

Man, I don't know what is wrong with you guys...or maybe it is ME... R8's are FUGLY! Driven one and they are very comfortable and nice to drive but by other high end sports cars standards they need a few more ponies. I MUCH preferred the look, feel and drive of the Maserati Granturismo to the R8... YMMV!

jleidel

I really enjoy the look of the R8's, but I much prefer the Jaguar XJ8 series. I recently bought one and I love it. It look everything I had not to dump the extra cash into an XJR. [the wife would have scolded me for bringing it home].

pcar928fan

Do you mean XK8??? XJ is a decent sedan, but really does not compare to the sports cars we are talking about... I agree the XK8 and XKR look VERY NICE...like the Aston V8 and DB9 a bit better though.

cobalt

A little late here but I had a run with a few F430's, 599's an R8 many lambos this weekend in my turbo. I would have to agree the R8 IMO is a desired taste. Don't care for the CF sides. Might like it better without them.

What i did notice is it sounded wonderful but sounded as though it was moving far quicker than it was. Once on the gas I easily gained ground on both the R8 and the F430 although the F430 is a full notch faster than an R8 from what I saw. I know my GTS would have been trailing behind the R8 but I don't think it would have been by much considering how easily I was catching up to it under 90% boost.

I think you would have done better if you would have left the wife and kids on the side of the road that extra ballast is a clear disadvantage. Although we would be talking to you through divorce court right now.

dprantl

IMO the R8 is pretty damn ugly. And with 3,600lbs and only 420hp, it is too much of a poser car. In fact, I search for these so I can dust them

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

docmirror

Value of your S4 ~ $9000, value of a R8 ~ 115,000. I'd say you've 'won' your category.

Cosmo Kramer

Ya, you could get a nice 928 for less then he paid in taxes on that car! Then add a supercharger and kick hiss ***!

cobalt

I think you will find the R8 might not be that fast but it handles. The car although large was able to make some moves I could not duplicate in my GTS and HP has nothing to do with it. Although I pissed him off in my old school turbo he thought he would have a no contest with. Boy you could tell his ego was crushed when we came to the end of the run.

I had to admit the 599 was a sweet looking car in my rear view. I expected it to be faster but i would say it was no quicker than the F430 from what i could tell.

mark kibort

the 928 stroker is amazing.

These are 520hp competition coupe vipers. I dont seem to be getting left behind by too much!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImqkU...e=channel_page

mk

Marine Blue

That video was mezmerizing, I couldn't stop watching and hoping you would inch by the Vipers. Nice driving.

cali4sun

I don't think I'd tangle with an R8, however I do very much enjoy how they look. I'd agree with the previous post the Maserati Granturismo is one awesome car.

'89 S4 GP White/Black Auto

pcar928fan

Dan, with the power you are making an R8 would be a disappearing sight in your rear view mirror! They do handle well...maybe better than a stock 928, but probably not much better than a properly set up 928! They are more confidence inspiring though and you never feel like you are on the edge unless you are REALLY going crazy...

I entered a corner marked 40mph at a bit over 105 in the R8 I drove...got down to the apex (staying in MY LANE mind you, on a two lane road with a bit of shoulder that I didn't use) and NAILED the throttle it was so stable! I tracked out at nearly 110 and the tires never even chirped! It was pretty damn amazing and scared the CRAP out of my passenger!

Anthony, the 599 must have been putting along or the roads were pretty twisty, because the 599 should eat just about ANYTHING on the road BIG TIME w/o even breaking a sweat! Maybe it was just the driver.

The 430 Scuderia is close to the 599 in flat out performance and superior on a track or in the twisties if you are willing to risk it all (can't imagine that...) and is at least 2 steps above an R8... The regular 430 is probably just a tick or tick and a half above the R8 as you noted though. The steering feel and directness in a 430 is superior to ANYTHING I have ever driven though. That car was telepathic, and with 510HP F-AAAAAAA-S-T!!