leif997

the thing was so low I didn't even see it until it was next to me...sounded really nice as he announced his presence with a quick blip of the throttle...did not get a chance to drive along side for long as he turned off, but I liked what I saw and heard....(I think maybe he had GT3 envy as he sure went out of his way to get noticed!!)

SrfCity

He wanted to let you know there's a new kid in town

MagicMtnDan

He just wanted to say "Audi"

Apex GT

I drove one last week! Apparently it was the press car and destined to be crushed when the tour is over. The car feels numb when driven spirited and you can feel its hefty weight. The engine is very sweet but could still use more power. The shifter gate was also notchy and a tad finicky. All in all great boulevard cruiser with lots of eye appeal. Not for me but what a great daily driver.

Crazy Canuck

Perry ... buy one ... sell your RS ...

I offer you 50cents on the dollar ...

NJ-GT

My opinion about the Audi R8:

A wannabe Gallardo carrying a 300 lbs ballast over a GT3, that will be worth $60k on the used market in less than 2 years. Ugly, slow and heavy. It reminds me of the 6-series BMW and their current used values.

axhoaxho

The R8 is nice, but but... Instead of paying markup and waiting in a long list for the R8, I always remind friends don't forget about getting a slightly used 2004/2005 Gallardo. Turns more head and has the "V-10" engine.

Nordschleife

It certainly isn't a Gallardo. You could equally describe the C4S as 'slow and heavy'. Its not to my taste but it will be extremely successful.

Frankly, it has a defective aero package at speed but I wouldn't write it off. Get rid of the 1970s contrasting side panel, put the V10 in, 'fix' the AWD bias, and drop some weight, the engine cover is 'heavy', and most North American drivers will notice that the gearbox is crap.

Having said that, its making a lot of people who don't normally notice cars go 'ooh look at that'.

When it was launched, Winterkorn described it as 'the car for our wives', (before getting into his Gallardo and beaten up by his wife).

But look closely at the car, it has a chassis that could be a way forward for Porsche. Its extremely versatile being easy to lengthen and widen, it is light in weight, it puts the engine inside the wheelbase, it allows cost effective light weight body panels to be put on the car.

We hope to have one for a few days shortly.

R+C

C.J. Ichiban

the local dealer is having a show and tell with the r8 this saturday, I'll report my impressions asap- although I've got to say I agree that knowing it's eventually gonna get a v10 would make the current car basically a lame duck in my opinion. I've got the same v8 engine in my rs4 now, and it's great for a daily driver...but like axhoaxho said- for msrp plus options you're close to getting the real gallardo, albeit used.

it sure looks "futuristic" though...haha

Nordschleife

check your emails


R+C

LastMezger

Technically he just wanted to be heard as Audi is latin for 'hear'. One of Audi's founders, August Horch, was booted from his first company and his son, who was studying latin at the time, suggested the Audi name.

Not that you asked...

Nordschleife

c'mon, yopu have only told half the story - what does Horch mean?


actually I thought the guy was just saying

'owdey doodey

or

Audi Doodi

R+C

allegretto

futuristic?

the basic design goes back to the mid-fifties;

SpeedGeek

Consider some Bedford Autodrome West Circuit times from EVO magazine: The R8 is a full second faster than the F599, 1.3 secs faster than the 997 GT3, and 1.4 secs faster than the 997 TT. And it's only 0.8 sec slower than the Enzo. That's amazing for a 3500 lb car with 415 hp. Audi has hit one out of the park with the R8's handling.

CGT: 1:19:70
Enzo: 1:21:30
Superleggera: 1:21:80
R8: 1:22:10
Gallardo '06: 1:22:80
F599: 1:23:10
997 GT3: 1:23:40
997 TT: 1:23:55
996 RS: 1:23:85
F430: 1:24:20
997 Carrera S: 1:24:60
996 TT: 1:26:00


There's more. Here's something I found on a RS6 forum of a Car & Driver article. The R8 beats the 997 TT by a whopping 3 seconds and 3 mph around Willow Springs. That's seriously good handling for a car that accelerates slower than the TT.

Check out the article here (RS6 Forum).

OldGuy

That C&D article was bunk. They were having problems driving the TT and were afraid to go wide open with the TT -- thus the bogus times.
ALWAYS take C&D or Motortrend articles with a HUGE grain of salt.