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Tags: Audi, R8, BMW, M3, Porsche, 911GT3 RS, Cayman S, SLK55 AMG, Black, Lotus

Tag Links: Audi, R8, BMW, M3, Porsche, 911GT3 RS, Cayman S, SLK55 AMG, Black, Lotus

Audi R8 defeats world-class competitors to win Autocar's Best Driver's Car of 2007
So the Audi R8 proves itself yet again. This time instead of comparing it against the Porsche C4S and/or 4s variants the R8 is tested against some world-class competition.

The new BMW M3 along with the Lotus 2-Eleven (track special), Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Lamborghini LP640, Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Black Series, Renault Megane R26 and Porsche Cayman S.

The Audi proved to be the winner. Autocar had this to say about the magnificent R8:

Audi’s excellent R8 ended up beating all-comers to the honours, with its combination of an excellent chassis, incredible traction in all weather, and fine everday usability. For the full breakdown of figures, get Autocar magazine, out today.

It is also certainly worth mentioning that with the exception of Porsche, no other Germany company has ever won, or come close to winning this event.

A truly historic car in the history of Audi engineering: The Audi R8 Read Article



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MercBasherMercBasher - 9/6/2007 6:48:59 PM
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Congrats to Audi, I hope the R8 is a huge sale success and forces other manufacturers such as Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley and Mercedes to enhance their value propositions. I'd like to see much cheaper prices for loaded Porsche 911s and lower resale prices on Lamborghini and Ferrari!

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LarryLarry - 9/6/2007 1:05:41 PM
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good win, for Audi, yes Audi makes some great cars now, But I don't agree with putting audi in the same league as BMW or BENZ. Audi today is a upstart type company that is changing its imagine to be BMW like. I know Audi is over 100 years old, but the brand it self is a collection of other brands DKW,Wander, Horch, NSU, etc. BMW and Benz have been making good cars for decades, they have established world reputations. Audi other than the 1980's Quattro coupe made a lot of lame products, until now. so just because you think audi is a prestige brand in the US Audi is still kind of unknown.

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david989david989 - 9/6/2007 3:31:36 PM
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Audi's are rebadged Volkswagens. They are not in the same class as Lexus or BMW or Benz.


LemantechLemantech - 9/6/2007 6:07:07 PM
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david989 i never thought i would be this rude to a person on the internet....but you're a dumbass


AirlinerAirliner - 9/6/2007 11:01:05 PM
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Hey ‘david989’ I would agree with you but as of date, Lexus nor Toyota has a competitor for the R8 so... what’s your point?


KingerKinger - 9/7/2007 4:58:02 AM
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So by you're logic david, Lexus are just rebadged Toyota's, so they can't be in the same class as BMW or Mercedes either.


evenstevenevensteven - 9/6/2007 1:44:58 PM
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Larry,

Well the World is a much bigger place than just the U.S. Since everyone else in the World sees Audi as a prestige brand, does that make everyone else wrong or just the people here in the States right.

I'm going with everyone else.......also, doesn't Audi outsell Merc and BMW in their home market. I've been to Germany quite a bit and driven their roads (A bahn anyone) and most Germans know their driving machines and take them seriously.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/6/2007 5:06:15 PMView My AgentSpace
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"also, doesn't Audi outsell Merc and BMW in their home market."

Wrong. Audi outsells BMW and is slightly behind Mercedes-Benz in Germany. Check the numbers- you can't just say that from looking on their roads!


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/6/2007 11:29:54 PMView My AgentSpace
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Argh, I thought he had said they DON'T outsell BMW and Merc in Germany. My bad.


MusiiicMusiiic - 9/13/2007 8:11:24 PM
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unfortunately just because they sell more, it is more prestige.
just like here, if toyotas are sellin more than the others, does that mean they are better?


JUGNUJUGNU - 9/6/2007 2:39:24 PMView My AgentSpace
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Congrats Audi.R8 is really stunning.

BTW LP640 was also included in this test and didn't win is quite surprising.

JUGNU

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CynicalCynical - 9/6/2007 7:50:43 PM
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yeah this test is awkward - everyday useability will often get sacrificed for handling, and vice-versa. Not to knock on the Audi R8 (which I believe still would have fared well), but I would think a Porsche 911 Turbo might offer a better blend of handling and useability as compared to the R8.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/6/2007 10:23:46 PMView My AgentSpace
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Actually, the R8 has been noted for its super-smooth ride and easy nature, especially compared to cars like the V8 Vantage or GT3. Not only that, but is faster than a 911 Turbo on a track.

I think Audi has finally beaten Porsche at their own game. I never expected it from this brand, and I'm a huge Audi fan. But the R8 is a revelation- it seamlessly combines stunning style, superb performance/handling and a luxury car ride in one hugely desirable package.


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/7/2007 3:13:35 AM
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It's not. The 911 Turbo is still a lot quicker on the Nürburgring.

Audi R8: 8:04
Porsche 911 Turbo: 7:40 (dry with optional Cup-tires)/ 7:54 (WET)


HeyhuubHeyhuub - 9/7/2007 9:08:24 AM
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The 7:54 wasn't done in the wet, the 7:54 was done by the same driver as the time done by the R8.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/8/2007 12:47:34 AMView My AgentSpace
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According to different sources (such as the performance car of the year award, I believe by Motor Trend), the R8 is faster around a track.


GermanNutGermanNut - 9/6/2007 3:23:55 PM
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Larry, once again you fail to address the true global perspective on Audi. Most people in the world agree that Audi is a formidable competitor to BMW and Mercedes.

Only here in the U.S. due to issues such as reliablilty, technical problems and poor dealer network is Audi's image below that of Mercedes and BMW.

With cars like the Audi R8, Audi proves that its engineering capabiltiies are phenomenal and on par with BMW and hell even perhaps Porsche. It already proved this to the world when the RS4 came out. It took that philosophy a hell of a lot further with the R8 and will continue to build on it with the RS6, RS5 etc.....

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GermanNutGermanNut - 9/6/2007 3:25:41 PM
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Look at Audi's sales growth. Audi is growing a over 10% in sales year after year.

They are coming awfully close to Mercedes-Benz in worldwide annual sales.

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MercBasherMercBasher - 9/6/2007 6:51:45 PM
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What is the average revenue per vehicle sold for Audi worldwide - anyone know?

How does this average compare with that for Mercedes and for BMW?

Does Mercedes strength in taxicabs mean that average prices for Mercedes are higher or lower than for Audi.

I have no real data, but if I were gambling I'd guess that Mercedes averages about 50% higher revenue per vehicle than Audi because of a richer sales mix.


I95SPEEDINGTICKETSI95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/7/2007 1:08:44 AM
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Actually Audi makes more profit per vehicle sold than Merc or BMW

Hence their reluctance to embrace the US Market (Less Profit per car due to weak Dollar)

If you noticed, when the Q7 was launched, they focussed it here in UK & Europe as they had much better profit than in the USA where they would require much more Marketing Expense and then less Euro equivalent in Sale Price of vehicle.


david989david989 - 9/6/2007 3:30:30 PM
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This list is bull. No Lexus IS-F or Lexus IS350. Instead they put the crappy and sloe C350 and Ford Mondeo on the list. A Lexus SC430 is more fun to drive than an SLK55.

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richardp996richardp996 - 9/6/2007 6:59:06 PM
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SC430? Are you serious?


DieselRulesDieselRules - 9/9/2007 1:33:34 AM
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SC430?
You mean the car that makes vintage Buick handling seem sporty in comparison?
Let me guess ....... you're not actually old enough to drive a car, are you?


david989david989 - 9/6/2007 5:26:38 PM
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Pit the SC430 against the SLK55 on the Nurnbergring and see who wins. The Benz will get smoked by the smooth and refined V8 of the SC430 with an engine response better than the M3. The SC430 is a very underrated car. Most people who drive it and write reviews about it can't drive for shit. Give me an SC430 and gave me an M3 or SLK55 as a competitor and I will show you how to smoke those pieces of junk with the superb performance and handling qualities of the SC430.

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LemantechLemantech - 9/6/2007 6:09:53 PM
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lol david...you really think the engine response in a SC430 is better than that of an M3 ....BS! and btw the SC430 is more of a luxury GT than a sports car so naturally it would not handle as well as the Slk63 AMG or M3

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richardp996richardp996 - 9/6/2007 7:01:08 PM
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David989, you must prefer your cars to drive like gelatin if since you are hinting at the SC430.

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DieselRulesDieselRules - 9/9/2007 1:43:19 AM
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david989 is living proof that opium never went out of style!

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TybeeZ4TybeeZ4 - 9/6/2007 5:42:17 PM
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Am I glad I bought a Cayman S!!!! 4th place in this crowd is nothing to be ashamed of especially since the 3rd place car is a basic track car with no other suitable use. So, the Cayman S loses to an R8 and a 911 GT3RS, both of which costs mucho k's more.

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DieselRulesDieselRules - 9/9/2007 2:08:59 AM
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The Cayman S does sound like the bargain in this group.
But I'd like an R8 with the A8's 4.0 V8 TDI


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/9/2007 11:36:16 AMView My AgentSpace
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Now it's a 4.2TDI. So even better!

I would still take the gas engine, though. It's somewhat frugal for a sports car but offers incredible performance and noise.


SixxFiveSixxFive - 9/6/2007 6:21:53 PM
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Congrats to all the winners - the Audi is nice but I can't help thinking that it's success is based off of the fact that Audi got a lot of technical know how from Lamborghini - which they own.

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evenstevenevensteven - 9/6/2007 6:28:35 PM
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.......you could also say Lambo has had an incredible turn around since Audi took them over. Even though Lambos are still Italian there is a lot of Audi DNA in them.

I would imagine they have both benifited from each other, same with Bentley's recent turnaround.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/6/2007 10:25:17 PMView My AgentSpace
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Audi developed everything about the Gallardo, which the R8 is based on.


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/7/2007 3:17:52 AM
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"Audi developed everything about the Gallardo, which the R8 is based on."

I'm sorry but you are absolutely wrong. The Gallardo is pure Italian engineering. Lamborghini used some of the interiors parts from Audi but everything else is pure Lambo. That 5 liter V10 is not Audi but Lamborghini. It's based on the V12 from the Murcielago. The same engine Audi uses in their S6, S8, ..etc. However Audi engineers have changed it A LOT. Basically only the block is the same.


IamEvilHomerIamEvilHomer - 9/7/2007 1:23:52 PM
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expect Audi to sell Lambo soon. They have made it a great company, taken everything they need from Lambo, can sell it for top dollar right now, and this will alow them to develop the R10, R4 and other sports cars.


4x4rules4x4rules - 9/7/2007 7:24:09 PM
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sixxfive you obviously dont know what you are talking about. If you look at and drive Lambos from before and after they joined the audi umbrella you will notice a hell of a difference. Now they are super cars truly worth considering vs. others, and not just some weird bit of esoterica for the uber rich.


evenstevenevensteven - 9/6/2007 6:25:23 PM
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S4cabrio,

I wasn't stating the fact about homel;and sales based on my personal experience, it was based on an article I read about a month ago. If I was slightly off.......my bad. The fact still remains, only in the States do some Americans still view Audi as a lesser competitor to Merc and BMW. Sometimes I do not mind this because I for one like driving a car that you do not see everywhere and flies under the radar a bit.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/6/2007 10:25:56 PMView My AgentSpace
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I agree. Sometimes BMWs and Mercs are just too ubiquitous.


cs4444cs4444 - 9/6/2007 7:14:22 PM
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BMfanBMfan - 9/6/2007 7:22:26 PM
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If the audi got it for "fine everyday usebility" why are there 2 track day specials 2 and 3 and a LP640 there and not only americans think audi is less than bm i do to,i would rather drive a C230 sports coupe V6 than an audi.

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DieselRulesDieselRules - 9/9/2007 1:59:28 AM
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A C230 doesn't have a V6 ... it has a 4-banger (usually mit Kompressor)
And those Benz coupes look as stupid as those BMW 318 units with the trunk chopped off ... and I'm a Benz fan!
How's the balance on those front-engine, rear-drive cars with a "trunk-ectomy"??? Probably handles like a Dodge Dart


LexusLexus - 9/6/2007 8:15:30 PM
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Congratulation to the Audi R8 on a job will done and for winning this award :)



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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/6/2007 11:31:28 PMView My AgentSpace
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Congrats to the engineers. They obviously know a thing or two...


TheGeniusTheGenius - 9/7/2007 1:48:27 AM
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Lets face it, the R8 is the sports car to beat now..period!! It modern, stunning, tackles the track like a dream, and is still highly refined for daily use. Here’s a video of Tiff from 5th gear wringing it around a track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a8KXNRm_q4&mode=related&search=
I've seen no less than 7 major magazines in UK, Germany and the US that have given it the thumbs up over the venerable 911 (C4, Turbo, and even the GT3 models) and other sports cars. Regarding prestige, in Germany, home country to the "real 3" luxury brands, Audi is #1, BMW #2 and Benz #3. A Harris pol from about two years ago (link below) had BMW and Audi tied for 1st place in Germany with Benz 3rd. And the real 3 are tops is most of European of the countries surveyed. Take a look as this breaks it out by country.
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=968
So while Ignorance maybe an excuse for being clueless, it does not protect one from the facts when revealed. The unintended acceleration fiasco which marketed by 60 mins and later shown to be unfounded nearly drove Audi away from the US, and they really came back in the late 90s and to be honest have not had great marketing (though they’ve improved) which is why most Americans are just beginning to learn how good Audi is. That said, most people in the US are now catching on to what people in the rest of the world have known for a while.
Now someone mentioned Lexus and prestige in the same breath, and that’s just not classy. Lexus is perfect for old farts and chicks, but there's nothing prestigious about a Toyota with more leather and some gimmicks. Most people buy Lexus because they're cheaper than Audi, BMW or Benz and drive / handle like the Buicks they're replacing. Once upon a time, while explaining the meaning of prestige on this forum, I asked Lexus owners if they would buy a Luxury Kia or Hyundai, and most people didn’t get it. Amazing how the world works…Fast forward to 2007, and there is a Luxury Hyundai Genesis which is actually styled better than the bland LS460, and the Sante Fe that buried the RX..do I hear Lexus owners whining? Maybe now you have a faint idea of how real luxury afficionados feel when near Luxury knock-offs (Lexus) or Toyotas dressed up for a black-tie dinner are paraded as “prestigious” luxury cars. Lexus=Toyota=Toaster on wheels or basic appliance for common man who just wants to get from point a to b.
Audi, Benz, BMW = Halle Berry, Beyonce or Salma Hayek for a night out on the town. Choose any one for a date and you will always win!! Lucky enough to choose all three and you’re in heaven!!!!!!!. Now lets have comments from the ignorant..come on!!

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1evlaudi1evlaudi - 9/7/2007 3:00:24 AMView My AgentSpace
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TheGenius

man, you are spot on. I can ad a very real life experience to what you said; I am an Audi brand specialist in an Audi dealership in the los Angeles area and for the past 3 days I was working on selling an Audi to actually a friend of mine. The guy is a really good guy, works hard, makes good money but because of personal issues, is looking for a luxury car to replace his X5. Now I have known the guy for 6 years and he tried to get an Audi before, but got a Benz and then the bimmer. Now here he is trying again, he wants either an A4 cab or a Q7, with the Q7 being the first choice, of course he wants the S-line package, when I find the car for him, I work numbers to his specs in miles, drive off and so on. I am way pass bottom line on my selling price, it would take 3 hours for average Joe to beat me up for me to give such numbers. Our cost of money and residuals on the Q7 are not great but they are not bad neither. few hours later, he calls me, tells me a got a GS350 at the $600 mark(52Kmsrp), that was is limit, telling me those words"you have nothing that I can afford"

That's the point, and I had no less than 4 customers this month alone that went to BMW because they could not afford the Audis they first came to get. they did not get the BMW because it was more prestigious, they got the BMW because it was cheaper.

This is reality guys, from the street, no fancy stats, links or web site, this is my life everyday. Of course I still hear once in a while, "but isn't it a VW?". But people are coming onto Audi as a true, desirable, prestigious brand. There is no doubt that the R8, the RS4 and the coming S5 are doing a lot more than any marketing Audi could do, those cars have been in every single car magazines over and over, and if dad doesn't know, the kid knows about it. Single females and single moms too, you have no idea, how many I see week in week out, coming in and getting Audis. Why, mainly because it is NOT a BMW or a Benz which they are sick and tired of. But they know it is as comparable as it can be to those 2 brands, and they know, most of them, anyway, their stuff.

For all of you guys living in denial, you are in for a rude awakening, it is easier to get to the top than stay on the top for ever and since the early 90's Audi has been climling that mountain that the US market is, and while fanbois are kicking and screaming that their favorite brand outsells this and outsells that, Audi is keeping steady, increasing sells, increasing reliability, increasing his line up and prestige(in the US). Eventually the resale and residual values will come in sync (resale/wholesale seems to be most of the time higher than the bank residual values) and before you know it Audi will be on top.

You might think I am kidding, but I am not, I remember coming to this country 12 years ago and you could barely see any Audis. I remember thinking"they don't sell Audi here???" look at now in Los angeles, you can't be at one stoplight without


SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/7/2007 2:52:13 AM
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I do believe overall it's the best car out here. But I don't care. Give me that LP640!!

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/8/2007 12:53:19 AMView My AgentSpace
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Hmm... three R8s, or an LP640? Thanks, but no thanks. I'd take an R8 coupe AND an F430 Spyder at that price.


BMfanBMfan - 9/7/2007 6:06:56 AM
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Deboost me all you want at i know its much better than a sc430

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BMfanBMfan - 9/7/2007 6:08:23 AM
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At least i know

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Htay7500Htay7500 - 9/7/2007 12:06:20 PM
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congrats Audi!

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TheGeniusTheGenius - 9/7/2007 10:21:20 PM
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Caltrans, you're absolutely correct. I think in the past Ingolstadt determined US sales strategies, and replicated the same marketing (or lack thereof) approach in Europe where advertisement was limited, but I believe that is changing. Look at the "streets of tomorrow" marketing for the Q7, and while its an amazing SUV, blowing through projections at a time of high gas prices and lower popularity of SUVs is a reflection of how much Audi pushed it. You've probably seen Q7 ads in mags, online and other places. Ask yourself how many times you've seen A4, A6 or A8 ads.
In addition, Audi severely limits incentives and discounts on their cars and if you compare lease rates.. they tend to be generally less attractive than its competition. I was speaking to a dealer a few months ago who explained to me that he could not get some of his A6 customers who leased an A6 a few years ago into a new one because the lease rates for the new ones were so much higher than they paid on the older model, and some moved over to the Q7 that had an attractive plan. At the end of the day, Its a trade-off between profit margins / exclusivity and higher sales, and while there are pros and cons for both strategies, I must say that Audi is growing strongly in the US and abroad. I recently spent some time in Germany and could not believe how many people regarded Audi as the top Brand, and how many awards it won at the expense of Benz and BMW, but the info. rarely makes it down here.

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avilacsavilacs - 9/9/2007 10:11:40 AM
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Knowing that Audi is owned by VW, and that Porsche owns a controlling interest in VW, hasn't it occured to anybody that more then likely, Porsche had a significant hand in engineering the R8? Let's be realistic. Porsche is probably baiting us before they release some amazing new auto. Nobody consults like Porsche. Mark my words, the interest in the R8 will fade before long, and some new Porsche with the actual Porsche name will take it's place. Also, all the Audi engineering might can't keep the R10 ahead of the "little ole" Porsche RS Spyder. What a spanking the R10 has taken at the hands of Zuffenhausen.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 9/9/2007 11:42:52 AMView My AgentSpace
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I believe you are 100% incorrect.

The R8 was in development long before Porsche was even thinking about buying a stake in VW. Remember the LeMans Concept from 2003?

In fact, if anyone had a hand in developing the R8, it was Lamborghini. The car is based on the Gallardo. However, the R8 is notable in that it drives even better than the Lambo without needing V10 power. Believe me- Audi can produce a proper sports car on its own.

Finally, people don't just lose interest in a vehicle that does everything so well. It is undeniably sexy, but the R8 also offers luxury car refinement and C4S-beating performance. Not only that, but it's relatively inexpensive for a sports car of its caliber. Look at the Bentley Continental family- it was amazing when it came out, it still is, and it's still selling. That's where the R8 will be. Except it will be less common, with the exclusivity helping it even more.

Now that I think about it, that was a very ignorant and unfounded comment. Porsche isn't going to cannibalize the R8 if Audi has anything to say about it- and don't you know, Audi is the reason Porsche put a stake in VW in the first place.


artomeartome - 9/9/2007 3:01:55 PM
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Congratulations to Audi for a job well done. Now they've officially entered Porsche/Ferrari/Lambo teritory, which I think is great. But they are only starting, and believe me the R8 will not make a dent to Porsche sales. As regards the luxury sport sedan category Audi has always been the number 3 German auto. That may well change, but MB and BMW are not just gonna lie idly by and be overtaken. They have better reliability and quality standards, not just by public perception, they have proven it decade after decade. Audi believes their quality is at par with MB and BMW but consumers aren't buying it, especially in the US. They have to prove it first.. like Toyota/Lexus has done, before they can command the asking prices they do. Audi's ties with VW has not helped their image either. Most consumers cannot distinguish between either.. I don't blame them.. the average car buyer is NOT a car enthusiast. All the best to Audi, they're really trying.

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carfuncarfun - 9/9/2007 10:13:08 PM
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Audi may be perceived as the number 3 german auto in the US, but not so in Germany. And that perception in the US is beginning to change. With its recent onslaught of great products, Audi is finally getting discovered by the mainstream in the US. Let's just hope it doesn't become a common prop in rap videos like MB and BMW. And as far as MB and BMW having better reliability and quality standards, you should check your facts before you say that. The information is out there on the internet.


MusiiicMusiiic - 9/13/2007 8:16:21 PM
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Congrats Audi! Now they just need to build a reputation like bmw or benz. in asia, all my friends know a little bit about audi, but most of them know benz and sometimes bmw.


artomeartome - 9/9/2007 3:44:37 PM
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1evlaudi:

Just did a quick check on the prices of 2007 Q7 and GS350. The Q7 3.6 Quattro costs about $39.5K, the GS350 some $38.5 (MSN autos MSRPs). If you did in fact lower your price below the bottom line, you should've made the sale. Maybe your friend isn't telling the whole story. He has had an X5 for starters... which may or may not be better, but is serious competition nonetheless.

Then again people know Audi is the number 3 german luxury carmaker, so they expect their prices to reflect that... but they don't, causing "sticker shock", so they take off to BMW/MB and discover those two makers have a model for almost every pocket.. BINGO. Lexus does it best, they have a model (and a price to match) for every customer who walks into the dealership.

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1evlaudi1evlaudi - 9/9/2007 4:35:39 PMView My AgentSpace
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artome, you are both right and wrong,

you are right in your second paragraph but dead wrong in the first, the base price on a Q7 V6 premium 2008 is $48,350, the msrp on the Q7 considered was $54,725 (S-line 21" wheels). The GS was $52,000.
And like I said, on a lease, the msrp is almost irrelevant.

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1evlaudi1evlaudi - 9/9/2007 4:40:38 PMView My AgentSpace
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So, I wanted to comment on a few posts about the R8/gallardo relation.
Yes the R8 is loosely base on the Gallardo, different engine, different suspension, stretched frame, the only bad thing they kept unfortunately is that e-gear gearbox...

But for your information, the gallardo is actually not built in Italy..."all italians fan can cry all they want"... it is built at the Neckarsalum factory, alongside the R8 now. this is because the Aluminum Space frame, they are then "covered up" and put on a train to the Lambo. factory in Italy.

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avilacsavilacs - 9/10/2007 1:39:37 AM
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It doesn't matter when Porsche took a controlling interest in VW. They have consulted for automobile and motorcycle companies since at least the 1970's. Unfortunately for Porschephiles like me, these companies don't want their buyers to know it wasn't them who did the engineering. So, the contracts agreed on usually don't allow for mention of Porsche's hand in the development of their product. More than likely, any supercar to come out of VAG has a little Porsche DNA in it. Look at the Bugatti Veyron. The brain child of Ferdinand Piech, grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. I'd bet the farm that the Wizards of Weissach had their hands in that one somewhere. Porsche was doing wonders with turbocharging as far back as 1972-73 in the CanAm, and again in 1982-83 when they engineered the indomitable F1 McLaren TAG-Porsches. Jeez, look who designed Auto-Union's Grand Prix cars in the 30's (Ferdinand Porsche, if you didn't know). Guess who Auto Union became? Yes, I'd venture a good guess that Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen had some input into the development of the R8, and who knows, maybe even the R10. How else could that little old NA 3.4 litre Spyder engine whup up on them so fast? Just speculation, I know, but let's be realistic. Porsche hasn't remained independent all these years because they were selling so many sports cars.


PorschinatorPorschinator - 9/11/2007 9:46:11 PM
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R8 is no rebadged VW. Rebadge is when you have a Toyota Camry and call it a Lexus ES. R8 is a world class sports car, even if it was beaten out on the track by the Z06. Though it appears the competition is Euro based only.

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MusiiicMusiiic - 9/13/2007 8:13:45 PM
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somehow i feel like just because the R8 won something does not go far. if they keep this up for another severel years, then i should that really make a good car.

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