With Larry stating that Audi is trying to create a CLS competitor, and a 6-series competitor. I pose to him the fact that Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW do not have a competitor to the Audi R8, but are scrambling already to create one.
One could argue that the BMW M6 is a competitor. Although priced in the same general area as the R8, the M6 simply weighs too much to have a chance at catching a car like the R8 on the Ring. The same goes for the Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG. Although the SL55 AMG costs above $115K, and offers 0-60 times in the low 4 second range putting it in the same cateogry in acceleration as the M6 and R8, it too weighs too much to offer the same handling and dynamic capabilities as a light weight mid-engined sports car. The R8 is a mid-engined sports car offering exotic performance for a not so exotic price.
Lexus, on the other hand, has already started to develop the LF-A in response to the R8. Mercedes-Benz has been rumoured to be developing a competitor and word is out that BMW is going to hit the drawing board again for a supposed M10 two seat mid-engined car to take on the R8.
The Lexus LF-A has already been spotted in testing. Will BMW's and Mercedes-Benzes' responses actually become a reality or will the Audi R8 and Lexus LF-A be in a class all by themselves?