CAR WARS! If YOU Were Shopping For An All-New Sports Car, Would The BMW i8 BEAT The Audi R8 AND Porsche 911?

This week some documentation presented to BMW retailers about the all-new i8 somehow made it onto the web. In all of our years of seeing leaks from brochures to spy photos, this really isn't a shocker anymore.

In the materials, BMW essentially lays out the highlights of the all-new i8. Considering its remarkable design and fancy schmancy doors, one wouldn't think BMW would need to spell it out. But, its dealers need to be armed with the talking points.

In a couple of the slides, it's apparent that BMW has targeted the Audi R8 and Porsche 911. In one slide it details the pricing of the Audi R8 — coupe, spyder and GT variants — in addition to the 911's pricing structure. On another page it shows the features the all-new i8 has and how the other two stack up from a performance standpoint.

On paper, the i8 is far more intriguing, no doubt; however, the reality is we're talking about sports cars here. This is about emotion, sound and driving dynamics.

So, what say YOU?

If you're shopping for a sports car, would you have the BMW i8 over the Audi R8 and Porsche 911?

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JDMUSMuscle - 3/13/2014 11:56:20 PM

-6 Boost

Hmm, no I think they are all way too overpriced and ugly, too.

Hmm, I think I would much rather buy Lexus RC-F, which is most likely the most beautiful coupe in the automobile history and I bet this car will perform so much better than any of those cars here and at the same time, we all know the RC-F will last much longer, as Lexus cars are made to last (How is this possible? Because Toyota/Lexus is all about the real Japanese craftsmanship), when those 3 of them will most likely break down every week.

I will need to buy a new car soon, and I am currently looking at two cars, 2014 Lexus RX and GX. And planning to buy RC (In about...3~4 years?) as I do not believe I can afford RC-F.

So, I am kind of biased, but what can I say. As a consumer myself, I want the "best" cars, thus, Lexus. So my vote goes to RC-F.

Agent00R - 3/14/2014 12:58:54 AM

+4 Boost

Thanks for contributing nothing to the commentary.

R8s and 911s have done quite well long term. Obviously the i8 is unknown at this time.

It's funny because for the past few years Lexus has been trying to get its act together in regards to quality. Had some bumpy years and finally the marque's getting back into the swing of things.

JDMUSMuscle - 3/14/2014 6:38:41 PM

+2 Boost

I don't remember Lexus quality getting to the level of German junk, and obviously not to the American garbage level.

Lexus recalling cars before anything happens to the consumers is not the same thing with what GM is facing right now.

So really, what's your argument about?

And oh ya, I'm sure 911 and R8 are reliable, no wonder they are always on the top spot in terms of reliability data....oh wait.

Agent00R - 3/14/2014 8:43:44 PM

+1 Boost

It amazes me how daft you are. I hope you're just a troll and not actually serious.

Even before Toyota/Lexus' recallfest, loyal owners for years started shifting out of their products because of quality issues. Cars simply not being built as solid as they used to not to mention major problems.

I have a friend that is in the auto business and his family bought Lexus' products for years. Not one or two, more like 15. After a certain point they couldn't take it anymore and guess what they're in now? Audis.

And though it's widely discussed if the JD Power awards are legit or not, see who's in second behind Lexus for 2013?

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/lexus-porsche-tops-j-d-power-reliability-rankings-192544256.html

chewy - 3/14/2014 12:02:37 AM

+1 Boost

Interesting to see what kind of numbers it puts up and what kind of mpg it delivers running on gas.

t_bone - 3/14/2014 1:52:15 AM

+1 Boost

Just can't get past the looks. Makes the GT-R look handsome.

pcar4evr - 3/14/2014 2:20:35 AM

0 Boost

That piece is outdated and incorrect. Both the R8 product lineup (e.g. there is no R8 GT in 2014) and pricing is incorrect and the 911 pricing structure is, as well. In any case, what I've heard is that it will be very difficult to get an i8 at list price and if it is competing on performance against a 2014 991 Turbo or a R8 V10 Plus, it will be left in the dust. On the other hand, they'll sell all they can make because it will be the new "flavor of the month" - it is very exotic and unique looking. Just not for me.

BMWm4 - 3/14/2014 1:28:10 PM

0 Boost

sports car performance with great economy, state of the art technology and a spectacular exterior design how can BMW go wrong? Left in the dust compared to the 911 turbo maybe, yet not the R8. Yet the Turbo is more money and not really a direct competitor.

cidflekken - 3/14/2014 3:06:53 AM

+1 Boost

It would be really difficult to get past the car's looks. It's just not attractive. Maybe in person it's a different story, but I'm skeptical.

As far as performance, the i8 definitely has better fuel economy expectations. But, do I buy a supercar/exotic car to be green? If I'm shopping in this price bracket, I'm not concerned about fuel costs. The reality is that this type of car wouldn't/shouldn't be an every day driver. So, that being said, a weekend car negatively impact our environment.

So, I guess my answer would be "no", I wouldn't get an i8 over an R8 or 911.

rumnyc - 3/14/2014 3:40:32 AM

+4 Boost

someone buying the i8 is making a statement. the person will probably have a few other cars. i can see the i8 as a 3rd or 4th car, definitely not as my primary (needs 4 doors) or secondary (track day).

freeagent - 3/14/2014 6:22:48 AM

0 Boost

i wouold take either a 911 or R8 over the i8, not to mention a F-Type Coupe or a used Vantage over an i8. I'd take a M235 over an i8

DTMFan - 3/14/2014 8:01:30 AM

0 Boost

Probably a combination of all 3! The R8 for the sound, the Porsche for it's handling and the i8 for it's looks.

I actually really quite like the i8, it seems like it could be a good sportscar, or a good daily driver - not sure if it can do both at the same time though. I'm keen to see the real world reviews. Mainly how long can it maintain it's peak performance for on a spirited drive.

LexSucks - 3/14/2014 10:07:02 AM

-1 Boost

I'd get a Lexus.

CarreraS - 3/16/2014 12:26:50 AM

+3 Boost

Why don't you shove a cat up your ass?

TauronB2G - 3/14/2014 10:22:12 AM

0 Boost

If I were shopping for a new sports car the i8 wouldn't beat a standard Boxster, he'll it wouldn't beat a Model S.
T

GermanNut - 3/14/2014 12:09:15 PM

-1 Boost

The i8 is untested. The Porsche 911 and Audi R8 have sold extremely well. Until the i8 proves itself capable, buyers will have second thoughts about spending six figures on an untested product.

BMWm4 - 3/14/2014 1:31:19 PM

-1 Boost

nuttie no they won't only you will. It is a BMW. And a very cool car at that offering state of the art technology, performance & style with great fuel economy and "green" .... I can't wait til it arrives this summer

BMWm4 - 3/14/2014 1:31:41 PM

-2 Boost

let me know when Audi has something to compete with

scenicbyway12 - 3/14/2014 3:50:55 PM

0 Boost

"buyers will have second thoughts about spending six figures on an untested product."

Yea, what ever, the first years production is already sold out and it has a huge waiting list after that.

GermanNut - 3/14/2014 1:36:11 PM

0 Boost

It's called the R8 e-Tron in case you missed the news BMWm4. It's a custom-order all-electric R8 with a 279 mile range.

BMWm4 - 3/14/2014 4:17:18 PM

+1 Boost

That is not out yet. Not for at least a year or so, for more money and not as quick ...

next car ?

GermanNut - 3/14/2014 5:04:06 PM

0 Boost

The BMW i8 is not out yet either. The R8 eTron will still provide competitive acceleration times and will be all-electric instead of an electric-gasoline hybrid like the i8. The R8 eTron's electric range will be 257 miles greater than the i8's.

That makes it even greener than the i8. You can bet the guy looking at the i8 will be considering the R8 eTron. Even BMW's marketing department benchmarks the i8 against the R8.

Don't think the i8 is the only option - it's not. The R8 V10 and 911 Turbo will easily out run the i8 and the Audi r8 eTron will offer an all-electric alternative with a range more than 10 times greater than BMW's i8.

This is a crowded segment with proven players and BMW will need an excellent product to stand out.

BMWm4 - 3/14/2014 5:32:04 PM

0 Boost

Nuttie - The R8 etron has a range supposedly of only 280 miles while the I8 is over 300 miles . The I8 is already an excellent product and the competition to the Porsche Turbo is out in the M6. Technically the M6 coupe makes the R8 look like it is standing still.

Terry989 - 3/14/2014 5:37:23 PM

+1 Boost

Funny how BMW marketing continues to use art of misdirection for this car. They want you to believe the real competition is the Porsche 911 4s and the Audi R8 V8 since with there higher price tags you can perhaps create some justification for purchasing the BMW i8 over these two.

Wake up, the real competitor is the Tesla Model S with it's better performance, better fuel economy,lower price and better handling. Last month it was announced that Christian von Koenigsegg had just purchased a Tesla Model S and is "also claimed to have said that one of the best sports sedans on the market, the BMW M5, accelerates slower, handles poorer and isn’t as fun to drive as the Model S."

BMWm4 - 3/14/2014 5:43:40 PM

0 Boost

thus making it better than porsche and audi too.

what a bunch of weird arguements and justifications to the actual competition to the I8. truthfully, the porsche turbo owner is not shopping against the I8. Tesla is the closest competition to the I8, yet they only currently make a sedan version which is not quite as performance oriented even though the "S" version is 0 to 60 in a similar time, yet everyone knows that BMW is conservative. The I-8 is lighter, smaller, lower center of gravity, carbon fiber body, than the Tesla.

GermanNut - 3/14/2014 7:04:18 PM

0 Boost

The i8's combined range is 300 miles total, which includes both electric and gasoline components. The R8 eTron achieves 280 miles from its completely electric power source.

The Tesla Model S nearly matches or beats the 0-60 mph time of the BMW i8, uses only electric power with a range of 306 miles with the larger battery instead of a hybrid setup that contains both electric and gasoline like the i8, is significantly cheaper than the BMW i8, and while not a sports car in the true sense, its "green" attributes are much greener than the i8's.

Looks like all the German marques have a ways to go before catching up with the Tesla Model S. Audi is the closest with its 279 mile range R8 eTron and the i8 is expected to be good competition as well.

Terry989 - 3/14/2014 7:54:17 PM

+1 Boost

BMWm4 - - - Reading you justification for not counting the Tesla Model S as the competition (some convoluted logic in that), then the real competition for a sports car should be the Porsche Cayman S. The Cayman S is 300 lbs lighter than the i8, has a faster 0-60 time (magazines are clocking them at 4.0 sec) $70K+ less, and has been called the best handling, best sports car in the world buy multiple reviewers and magazines. The Cayman is a car with an excellent history for reliability and a car that can run tracks days all day long. The reliability and trackability are unknown, and highly suspect. While not as green as the i8, it is more green that the M4, 4S or Audi A8.

Terry989 - 3/14/2014 7:58:59 PM

0 Boost

** The reliability and trackability of the i8 are unknown, and highly suspect. **

iamdabest1 - 3/16/2014 1:26:23 AM

+1 Boost

i actually love the 911, but if you want something more exotic which the 911 basically isnt, you have to go with the i8 or r8. take your pick really, they are both expensive, unique and will always make you turn your head when driving down the road or parked...