REVIEW: Audi R8 vs. Porsche 911

I read this and it really isn't a fair fight. The Carrera S has 355hp vs. the Audi's 420. Don't we think the Turbo with the awd would be a closer comparison. Or at least the Carrera C4S (380hp) with the power kit. And then there is the price difference which will be at least $25-30,000 if you don't load up on those Porsche options, which admitedly is very easy to do.
T

i agree, the much tougher choice would be between an r8 and a porsche turbo

i agree the turbo is the better car to test, and the better car in general edmunds tested the r8 and 911 turbo, and the turbo won mostly because it was alot faster, which is surprising for edmunds since there test are normally bs, but the r8 just got 4.4 seconds, the porsche got 3.4 and the quarter mile time were the same

I somewhat agree, but the difference in Hp between the turbo(480) and the R8(420) is almost the same between the S(355) and the R8(420). So this test was unfair for the S, but it would be unfair to the R8 if tested agaisnt the turbo.

The GT3 would be closer in price and power, but its about 400lbs lighter, where as the turbo is about the same weight, but with the porsche options its will be more expensive and has alot more power. I feel the R8 V10(when it comes out) will be more of a turbo competitor

What are the prices between the two? Isn't the turbo much more expensive than the R8? Even the GT3 is a fair enough competitor despite not having AWD.

R8 is looking nice. To bad I can't afford any of these cars.

Josh

p.s. If I could I would go 911t just because it has always been a dream. The R8 maybe will be my sons dream or something... if I have a son, or even bread.

The R8 really doesn't have any direct competitors in the 997 lineup.

C2/C2S/C4/C4S? Too slow.

Turbo? Too fast.

GT3? Too raw.

If they made a Carrera 4RS, it would be perfect. 380-400hp. That would be the R8's direct competitor.

agree

Exactly!

I 100% agree.

What about the test of time? Durability.

911 owners take great pride in being able to commute their cars daily, and then on the weekends take it to the track for some lightearted thrashing.

Was the R8 made to do this? Or is the R8 more of an Aston Martin - for looks and show?

Nope.

Audi clearly set out to build this as an "everyday supercar."

Haven't you read any of the articles, or even the press releases?

This is what Car & Driver had to say about the 911 and the R8:

PRACTICALITY: Both cars can accommodate tall occupants and reasonable amounts of luggage, but only the Porsche has actual rear seats (those vestigial perches have been around since the 356). Still, we have known people to sit in them, whereas the space behind the front seats in the R8 will take golf bags or luggage but no kids or dogs. The 911 has better all-around visibility and is marginally easier to get into and out of. Advantage: 911.

Nobody could ever fit in the 911's seats. I've seen 'em myself. They have about half the legroom of the BMW X5's third row... and that's the most pathetic third row I've ever attempted to sit in.

Car & Driver also said:

"HANDLING: Neither car has any engine mass on the front axle, and both turn in willingly. Any tail-end eccentricities on the part of the 911 are convincingly tuned out of the equation until the driver does something monumentally stupid or hits an unexpected patch of black ice with the stability-control system turned off. It almost never happens, but the 911 does reveal the unusual strategies employed to keep the tail in line by bounding and jinking at speed on bumpy surfaces. The R8 is about as benign as a mid-engined car can be. If there's any weirdness in there, we didn't find it. ADVANTAGE: R8."

For me everyday car means, easier to get in and out and better visibility. One of my friends had a Lotus Esprit Turbo S4s, that he used almost everyday, and for me to deal with getting in and out of that car everyday, it was not very practical or easy. Hard to get in and out. Also very low visibility.

I still want the R8, but that color doesn't look to hot.

Black or white is the way to go for the R8!

I thought you liked pink???

That's a bad picture, I agree.

Non-staged (non-Audi press) pictures are the best, such as those from car magazines. The car is stunning in every magazine I've read.

On the road, it will probably blow me away...

The greatest threat to the R8 is the Lexus LF-A, over 500 bhp with full time 4wheel drive!!!!!!!! (oh yeahh babbbbbbbbby!!!!!!!)

Hmm, where did you get those specs? Your @ss?

For all we know, the LF-A isn't even coming out. Lexus seems to be taking their time with this one.

I can make stuff up, too: the LF-A won't be even close to the R8. They will be compared, and where the R8 has shined in just about every comparison, the LF-A will be criticized for its weak dynamics and GT demeanor, instead of that of a true supercar.

You are wrong. LF-A has no threat to R8 because they are not even in the same league. How comes a threat?

According to R&T report,
LF-A will have 550hp F1 derived high rev 5.0L v8, carbon fiber frame <2900lbs, price at ~$175K

500hp 4.8L v10 will be used in GS-F to rival M5.

The Toyota LF-A. 500 HP in a car that weighs more. Full time 4 wheel, instead of Quattro. This isn't a threat its a nuissance.

The Audi R8 delivers. 0-60 in 4 second just like predicted by many on this web site (myself including) a while back.

You mean over this Lamborghini?!?

Owned you sorry excuse for an enthusiast.

I love the Porsche. I also love the R8! I'd take either!

You are a sorry excuse for an enthusiast. Well said.

Why would I have a 911C4S over a car that I can use everyday that does'nt have the reliability and dependability issues of a Porsche.

aamazing wakes up from nape time every day and says the same line

this car is more lambo then VW
Amazing dosen't realize we like VW

I'll take the 911 if you don't mind. Something about the purrrr of a Porsche motor.

To each his own.
I haven't heard an R8 yet ... should be interesting though.

You evidently haven't heard the purr of the R8.

Audi guys are going to buy an R8 and Porsche guys are going to buy a 911 Turbo.

This is not that hard to get. Audi doesn't make a hardcore racer, and Porsche does. They are just different animals. I know people who are just better aligned with the Audi brand than others. I at one point in my life couldn't wait to find an S4 to buy. My path led me to a mess of other cars, and I have not drifted back to an interest in Audi.

It is not a crime to apreciate this car and the 911. both are amazing cars. Personally I wouldn't own a new 911 that wasn't a turbo or gt3, but that is just my deal, and it probably makes me even less likely to be interested in the r8.

Assuming I get a raise, and a new career, and wait no I cant buy one no matter what.

Josh

"It is not a crime to apreciate this car and the 911. both are amazing cars."

Yes! Exactly!

Porsche looks dated and cheap.

How can you compare an $85,000 car with a $120,000 car?

The GT3 and the Turbo would eat it's lunch.

It is a nice car though.

The GT3 and Turbo are not in its category. Keep doing your research.