Ferrari F430, AM V8 Vantage, Corvette Z06 and Audi R8 tested by R&T

So here we have a brilliant test about exotic cars from Italy, England, The good ol' U.S. and Germany.

Road and Track drives the Ferrari F430, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Corvette Z06 and Audi R8.

The conclusion is the Ferrari F430 is by the far the sharpest driver's car of the group. The F430 tackles the track with incredible precision and really shows how Ferrari builds perhaps the world's best sportscars.

The Audi R8 received its usual and expected brilliant praise. In fact, the R8 is so good that driving it is "pure magic." The editors were at a loss when trying to find something wrong with the car. They said it was like trying to find something wrong with Jessica Alba, except the problem is there is nothing wrong. They said the exhaust, while terrific should rip harder than it currently does (upcoming Naturally Aspirated 8,500 rpm V10 anyone????) The car offers sublime steering, handling, acceleration and driver comfort given its performance design, intent, and price.

The Aston Martin offers its classic sex appeal but it lacks in terms of power and driver enjoyment. The Aston is surely good to look at, but driving it still leaves the driver disconnected when compared to the fantastic Audi and razor-like F430.

The Corvette is American muscle at its finest. The Corvette represents one of the best price-performance bargains on the market today. The Corvette may not offer the sex appeal of the R8, or Aston Martin and even the driver enjoyment, but it offers exceptional performance for its price.
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Ahyin9 - 12/6/2007 9:42:18 AM

-2 Boost

My pick ---

1st. Aston Martin V8 Vantage
2nd. Ferrari F430
3rd. Corvette Z06
4th./last place Audi R8 (least heritage of the group)

thats my order.

r15mohd - 12/6/2007 10:07:15 AM

+1 Boost

since when is heritage a field to rate a vehicle...


you sound like a german fanboy...heritage this/heritage that

Heyhuub - 12/6/2007 11:56:39 AM

0 Boost

Audi has probably more heritage then Aston Martin and Chevrolet combined.

ThierryHenry14 - 12/6/2007 1:33:53 PM

+4 Boost

someone who doesnt know companies.

cl0wn - 12/6/2007 1:38:32 PM

+5 Boost

horrible choices... aston as #1? ur smokin' crack (or something of that sort.)

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/6/2007 2:34:54 PM

+4 Boost

(1) Ferrari F430
(2) AudiR8
(3) Aston Martin V8 Vantage {Rubbish As Far as i am Concerned}
(4) Corvette Z06

S4cabriofoxone - 12/6/2007 4:57:02 PM

+3 Boost

You pick cars based on heritage? LOL.

I completely agree with I95.

1. F430
2. R8
3. V8 Vantage (unimpressive performance)
4. Corvette (rolling midlife crisis)

I would rather own the R8 than the F430 as a daily driver, though.

carsfeverguy - 12/6/2007 10:15:40 AM

+3 Boost

I'm sick and tired of headings being posted on this site just for the purpose of EFFECT. To all who have the posting privileges on the site: YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPETE FOR OUR ATTENTION! We are already here, and if we are remotely interested in the topic of discussion, we will click anyways.

Why the rant? The R&T test conducted above involves a normal Vette, not a Z06. Boohoo, you will say. But this "false advertisement" is not the first instance on this site and it really hurts its credibility. So? Don't come here, you will say. Nay! I do come here because there's some articles that are genuinely exclusive to the site, or would be a pain to find on the www otherwise. But what I'm saying is that it's not that far of a stretch to stop with these "sensational" titles and writeups that seem thought up in the same vein as american networks like to stop everything for a LIVE POLICE CHASE of some loser on a donkey.

Cheers!

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/6/2007 2:38:05 PM

0 Boost

Tells me that you are delusional.

The R8 will outrun a normal Corvette.

That is a fact, not fictional like your Drop Clutch imaginations.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/6/2007 4:58:35 PM

+2 Boost

"They did admit, however, that the only way that the R8 can match the Corvette Coupe at 0-60 is using a "drop clutch" launch, wherein the driver spins the engine up to a high rpm near or at the power peak, and then attempts to hold it there while allowing the clutch to engage."

This test isn't based on 0-60 times. The Corvette doesn't provide anything close to the driving experience, sex appeal, luxury or ease of use of the R8.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/7/2007 8:10:28 AM

+3 Boost

They also could have included the Ariel Atom, which is much Faster than the C6 or the Z06 and much Cheaper than Both.

Hell the ariel is much more comfortable than the C6 {Even without a Roof or Windshield}

Fact is, if you are gonna compare Luxury SuperCars, the Corvette has no place in the group.

Leather Seats & Steering Wheel is not all that qualifies a Vehicle as Luxurious.

Z06lover - 12/6/2007 1:31:37 PM

0 Boost

R&T aka Rubbish and Trash has been full of sh!t for the longest time. They will never give due credit to the Z06 but who gives a damn anyways about what they rate it as.

ThierryHenry14 - 12/6/2007 1:39:28 PM

+6 Boost

R&T is about performance, and has nothing to do with price. Take price out of the mix, and a C6 is average to bottom in this comparo. Z06, on the other hand, is a great performer, and if a Z06 was used in this performance, it would no doubtedly be more of a match.

You guys must understand that a C6's power-weight ration is much better than an R8, so one would expect to see great numbers from the Corvette.

As for the article, if you guys would read the article, it says that the C6 has a great engine. Nothing negative. Its just that when one doesn't get the results they want/are expecting, they cry foul, and thats exactly the case here.

Shredmo - 12/6/2007 3:31:45 PM

+2 Boost

Excellent point.

FerrarisR4me - 12/6/2007 4:50:05 PM

+2 Boost

For the people bitchin' about the Vette... correct me if I'm wrong, didn' the Vette come in 2nd?

bmwdrvr - 12/6/2007 5:06:37 PM

+2 Boost

the corvette sounds like it got second in this test from the final thought to the Ferrari so not sure why all the complaining about i here, i mean seriously. but i will say this goest to show that the ZR1 vette will be a beast if the c6 was at 4.3 seconds, the Z06 obviously is as fast as the ferrari in this test with 500hp, and the 600+hp(or whatever the figure is ) ZR1 is going to be incredible it may have gave the ferrari one hell of a run for its money, im also curious to see how the viper, and GTR(of course not fitting this test since they arent V8) would have faired in this test, i think the race right now is the vette, and the GTR as most interesting to see for me

TimmyG - 12/6/2007 5:10:42 PM

+2 Boost

Damn I want an F430. Actually I'd take any of the cars tested.

investor27 - 12/6/2007 7:35:29 PM

+2 Boost

1) F430
2) R8
3) Aston Martin
4) Corvette

supermoto - 12/6/2007 7:55:42 PM

0 Boost

I would choose a DB9 or Gallardo any day over the F430, which would make a better comparison anyway. And I was suprised how much R&T liked the sounds of the F430. I despise how it sounds - it ruins the whole package for me. Certainly not the traditional low-toned authoritative Ferrari sound.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/6/2007 9:10:58 PM

+3 Boost

This is an EIGHT-CYLINDER comparison test. The DB9 is a TWELVE-CYLINDER car, and the Gallardo, a TEN-CYLINDER, and neither come close to matching the F430's driving experience.

headphones - 12/6/2007 11:51:47 PM

+3 Boost

clearly s4, thanks for pointing that out. personally id prefer the f430 to the lambo. i think...... actually let me have both and ill get back to ya.

MunichRob - 12/6/2007 8:56:04 PM

+1 Boost

For some reason it won't let me click on the link, can anybody tell me the placing of the cars in the comparo?

MunichRob - 12/6/2007 8:58:10 PM

0 Boost

I'd imagine it goes like this:
F430
R8
V8 Vantage
Z06

I have to say though if the V8 vantage matched the Ferrari or even the R8 for driving appeal, it would be my number one choice.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/6/2007 9:11:17 PM

+5 Boost

But it doesn't.

no1listensanyway - 12/7/2007 11:06:40 AM

0 Boost

1.Ferrari - Five more years and I will own one.

2.Corvette - balls to walls fun, its an icon.

3.Aston - Amazing Styling.

4.R8 - Sorry I rather not be engulfed by flames.

vonbeeler - 12/7/2007 3:05:38 PM

+2 Boost

I agree with No1listens

1. Ferrari
2. Z06 Though I know not tested, should have been
3. R8
4. Vantage

I need to comment because I have recent experience with all these cars except the Audi. Having recently driven the F430 Its the best and eveyone here seems to agree. However credit needs to go Chevy for the Vette/Z06. The Z06 is a monster. It has better times around a track than the F430 (Road & Track comparo earlier this year). I've had 3 Ferraris in the recent past and every Porsche built in the 80's and 90's. Now with a new family I didn't feel I should have all that money wraped up into the Ferrari. I now own a standard Vette with Z51 package. Its the first Amercan sports car I have ever owned or considered and it really impresses. After I bought it a felt I had the same or better performance than any other sports car I had ever owned and I was laughing because I felt the dealer was giving these away at $50k. I drove the Vantage and it was boring. I'm sure the R8 will be very refined and quick. But again I only spent $50k for 400hp and excellent all around performance. That left me filling guitless to get a new S600 Merc for the Family.

ThierryHenry14 - 12/7/2007 3:20:17 PM

+4 Boost

Its too bad R&T didnt rank these cars. they just gave a summary. they should have put clear numbers on it, but I guess in a field with such great cars, its hard to rank them. They all have their own strengths.

RealitySmack - 12/7/2007 3:46:26 PM

-1 Boost

1)Jessica Alba
2)Aston Martin
3)Ferrari
4)R8

vonbeeler - 12/7/2007 3:54:55 PM

-1 Boost

1. Jessica
2. Victoria secret model
3. Eva longoria
4. Denise Richards

You can have my cars