48 Votes

Just as Fast At A Third The Price: Can Audi’s V10 R8 Be The First Supercar To Embarrass The LF-A?

Agent009 submitted on 10/22/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 2:07:59 PM

75 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.bloomberg.com

If you’re a carmaker, it’s a heck of a lot easier to get publicity out of a new model than one already in your stable.

Incremental excellence isn’t nearly as sexy as the thrill of the new.

When a great car gets noticeably better, though, somebody really should take notice, because it means money is going to the engineering department and not just TV ads.

I was reminded of this recently after stepping out of two updated cars from Audi. The latest iterations of the R8 supercar and S4 sport sedan had better handling and were faster and more enjoyable than last time I spun around in them. And I’d liked them plenty before.

Among European carmakers, Audi was always more of a character actor than action hero or brassy starlet. It showed up on time and remembered its lines, but seemed content to let Brad-Pitt BMW and Meryl-Streep Mercedes-Benz take center stage.

Only this decade have the company’s cars become brasher and brighter, most notably with the 2007 release of the $115,000 R8.

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Photo Gallery

There are photos and then there are AutoSpies.com photos!

AutoSpies.com is ranked number one on Google search for auto shows

The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show gallery is sponsored by Lexus.

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

Read Article

Just as Fast At A Third The Price: Can Audi’s V10 R8 Be The First Supercar To Embarrass The LF-A?

About the Author

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
— Agent009 (View Profile)

User Comments

Can anyone else see the whole article at Bloomberg.com? I see only Ads.
— monster (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 2:37:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Try this (or type Audi R8 in the "Search News" box).

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aRwLOQhGcb3s
— AlleVier (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 2:42:28 PM | | Votes: 3

The Lexus value will be in its rareness.
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 2:41:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

It won't even have that if they go back on their word and bump up the quantities like the one Lexus dealer on these forums was saying.
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 2:48:30 PM | | Votes: -1

Agreed
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:08:59 PM | | Votes: 1

I hope they bump up the quantities. It would be a shame if they only made 500 LFAs. Though I don't believe they will, since they are losing big money on every LFA sold.
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:41:17 PM | | Votes: 3

they aren't losing money on them... that is why they are so expensive...
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:17:07 PM | | Votes: 4

There aren't many Pintos around anymore. Are they valuable now?
— camrydriver (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 11:56:21 PM | | Votes: 3

they can't afford to make more in these times....too much money lost for every car made.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 1:19:43 PM | | Votes: 1

joe:

they are definitely losing TONS of money on the LFA.

$375,000 x 500 = $187,500,000.

it likely costs more than that for just the materials and production of this car.

you do realize that development costs/building production lines for a car like this can easily run into the hundreds of millions right? (especially for company that is doing it for the FIRST time and has yet to learn the nuances of producing in this class)

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 1:24:04 PM | | Votes: 1

Here's a linked that work for me.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=aRwLOQhGcb3s
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 2:43:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Is up to you, I do not care if my car is "Unique"...what I car it if It likes to me. In this case I prefer the Design of the R8, but I want to see a compare ....to decide which one is the best....numbers will tell the history.
— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 2:57:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

If all you care about are the "numbers" and going fast cheaply, then get an Ariel Atom.
— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:12:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

there acceleration times may be close up to 100, but I think the Lexus will be noticably quicker around a track. Its lighter by around 400-500 lbs, and has a smaller/ligher more powerful engine. The V10 R8 only lapes the ring in 7:44, the new turbo does it in 7:39. The lexus sould probably do it in the low 730s. Yes the lexus is expensive, but im sure in asian markets this car will be a ferrari equivalent to them. kinda like they call the gtr godzilla.the lamborgini is almost 300K and that is basicaly a R8.Is that worth the extra money? probably not,but people buy it. So people will buy the lexus.
— car750i (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:12:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8

devil's advocate time! normally I dispise the R8's poor performance... but I'll support it for the sake of getting you to think about what you said. The R8 is awd, meaning it can get on more power sooner when exiting a corner without worrying about sliding out. The R8 is also mid engined, it's engine and overall weight might be a bit heavier then the LF-L but that weight is balanced evenly and most of it is in the center of the vehicle allowing it to have a very low polar moment of inertia and therefore quicker response times. I do not understand why it's ring times are so abysmal, hell a z06 even holds a faster time then it with less power. Speaking of which, the z06 is also about 100lbs lighter then the LFA with its 7.0 liter engine LOL.
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:27:35 PM | | Votes: 0

The Z06 has about as much plastic in it as the LFA has carbon fiber.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:49:13 PM | | Votes: 2

and it's still lighter
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 5:00:00 PM | | Votes: 5

ZO6 has CHEAP plastics, cheap shyt=light.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 3:14:20 AM | | Votes: -5

and is faster and cheaper then a Lexus laff
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 3:30:18 AM | | Votes: 5

LMAO badgewhore, carbon fiber is light, the engine in the LF-L is supposedly light, by your equation those things must also be cheap shit lol!
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 1:50:59 PM | | Votes: 1

"The V10 R8 only lapes the ring in 7:44, the new turbo does it in 7:39. The lexus sould probably do it in the low 730s. Yes the lexus is expensive..."

less weight is ALWAYS an advantage, overcoming even awd vs rwd. look at how hard a lotus elise will charge around a course with tight corners, SHAMING many a car with 2x, 3x, and more engine and power!

and, there is the factor of refinement. one can say a lot about why a broadsword is "better" than a samurai sword, but the latter will PERFORM far better. not to mention being orders of magnitude more refined.
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 2:50:26 AM | | Votes: 0

LFA all the way. But that's my opnion. I will never be able to afford either but the LFA easily takes the nod for me. The car looks better with each passing review or video clip. So the Audi V10 may end up being faster, but to me the LFA would be more fun: awesome handling (like the Audi) a wicked engine note (which the Audi's V10 won't match) and lighter (Audi V10 will not be under 3300 lbs). It's the LFA's engine that takes the car - pure bliss. Thank you Lexus for bringing this to production.
— 7msynthetic (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:18:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

AUDI R8 has no chance and shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence, it can't even beat a heavy pig GT-R that cost almost half it's price. The LF-A has the GT-R beat in every category, the only thing the R8 shares with LF-A in beating GT-R is they're both uglier than GT-R.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:27:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

did he really say that the LFA and the R8 are UGLIER than the GTR?

Question: What is the name of your parallel universe?
— pcar4evr (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:06:52 PM | | Votes: 8

that is badgewhore for you. sipping his gt-r koolaide again. THe R8 is a stunning looking car in person. I am not a big fan of the New Lexus. Looks like a supra from the side and a nissan from the front.

For $330k large, A ferrari will creat more of a statment.
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 7:15:56 PM | | Votes: 4

My opinion is better than yours.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 3:08:42 AM | | Votes: -7

It is very expensive to develop a supercar from scratch. especially if you're implementing revolutionary technolgoy like carbon frame in the car.

VW owns Lamborghini and Audi. R8 is pretty much a rebadged Gallardo. They didn't have the development costs, hence the way lower price.
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:39:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Get your facts straight bub! No rebadge here...
— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 5:05:26 PM | | Votes: -2

haha what planet are you from?

R8=Gallardo with the engine from the RS4. And now the Gallardo V10, same V10 that's in the S8
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 5:29:59 PM | | Votes: 4

What is revolutionary about using a carbon fiber frame? Mclaren did that twenty years ago.

— NannerPus (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 2:19:12 PM | | Votes: 1

I think the LFA will be quite a supercar but the price will stop it to make it in the top! With the same money you can buy the Mercedes-Benz Benz SLR, Lamborghini LP640... and you can't compare these with the Lexus LFA...
— tryme (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:43:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

why not? LFA beats them or stays right with them on the track. exclusivity, engine sound, sheer thrill of driving is all there and then some.
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:45:20 PM | | Votes: -1

Less than 48 hours or so after its debut, we get 009's first poo-pooing "story" on the LFA.

That I believe is a record.
— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:45:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8

R8 V10 is 300 pounds heavier and has 30 less horsepower, meaning it will lose atleast 0,2-0,3 sec going 0-60 mph. doesn't have the sturdy rock solid carbon frame, so body roll will be greater. and now way it matches the engine sound. sorry audi:-)
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:47:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

What next? "New M5 to be almost as fast as LF-A but cost $200k less!!"

Again, I expect the same to be said with the new Ferrari, unfortunately that won't happen.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 3:51:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

Um, the new Ferrari 458 Itailia is faster and has more power and will be out before the Lexus.
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 8:17:33 PM | | Votes: 5

Yeah but it is a Ferrari. enough said. In that price category, it is about making a statement and sex appeal. Unfortunately, Lexus doesnt have either. Ferrari is king in that segment with the Aston Martin a close second in the exotic sub $500k category. All about ego. Lexus has no heritage or pedigree. In this price range, it means alot, it means everything ....
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 10:47:00 AM | | Votes: 1

What do you mean that lexus has no heritage? Don't you remember the toyota starlet? That is just one of many great automotive feats. And don't forget about the forklifts and sewing machines!

— NannerPus (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 2:24:04 PM | | Votes: 1

^^Yeah, 009 and HyundaiSmoke are stewing in their Hyundai Sonatas trying to find a way to put this car down. Car and Driver compared the LFA to the 599, because both are GTs, and the LFA still has a luxury component to it-check the mouse. I never heard of a car having seatbelt airbaga like the LFA.

The r8 V10 and the LFA are two diff type of cars, the only thing they have in common are cylinder count
— Inline6 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:00:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Both the R8 and GT-R take down this overpriced Lexus. Only difference is the GT-R can do it with a V6 instead of a V10.
— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:04:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

If by "take it down" you mean they are slower, then yeah, they take it down:)
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:12:59 PM | | Votes: 0

Why so much discussion about LF-A's price? It seems there is no problem when some 'experts' say for example, they will pick R8, Turbo, Gallardo over GT-R even though GT-R cost roughly half as much.
And also as somebody mentioned above why LP560-4 cost so much more than R8 V10 when they are basically same car, chasis, engine...etc.

IMO LF-A's selling point will be exclusivity, design, interior, unmatched quality and attention to detail, highly focused track car, engine, sound, 9000rpm...etc. And as in some video posted here on Autospies, the journalist who said LF-A is the best he has ever driven, he said customer of LF-A most probably already have Ferraris, Lambos even Mclaren F1. So we can understand who Lexus is targeting, not someone who is only got 400K but passionate, collector-type and very rich. I am sure Toyota will find at least 500 of them if not have already found. World is very big, only Middle East would order half of them.

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:15:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

"Best car he has ever driven"

OK

But how many and what cars has he driven in his lifetime ?

If all i've driven is regular family sedans and a couple of slightly faster coupes then get placed in an LFA of course id rightfully claim its the best car i have ever driven.
— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 9:29:59 AM | | Votes: 2

speed isnt everything.
— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:16:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

LOL
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 4:18:25 PM | | Votes: 0

Audi isn't loosing any sleep over the LF-A. If Audi wanted to build a super sports car in this price range, the LF-A would be finished. Tell Lexus to build a super sports car in the $150,000 range and compete against the R8. At $375,000 any car maker can create a super car of super cars. At least the R8 is realistic and not a one-off. Means nothing that Toyota can build this. Hey, the R15 is couple million. Would easily destroy the LF-A on any track.
— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 5:11:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

so? Toyota F1 will smoke the R15 :-)

If Toyota owned Lamborghini and could rebadge a mass produced Gallardo (9000 built so far) and throw the V8 from IS-F in it, I'm sure they could make the LFA cost $150,000

But they have to develop it from ground up. With only 500 made, with an engine ONLY for this car. Oh, and a carbon frame.

Hence the price.
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 5:35:06 PM | | Votes: 7

Scanned the article and don't remember coming across the word Lexus LF-A once... Where does Autospies get these headlines!!!
— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 5:38:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

wow i just noticed that too...like i said, 009 has no talent in creative writing, so i guess he has to make due creating arguments instead of doing anything of value.
— GeorgeWJoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 6:29:29 PM | | Votes: 7

First of all, the R8 is not a rebadged Gallardo. Diamond Jim do some homework and educate yourself in ACTUALLY researching the engineering specs of the R8 vs. the Gallardo. The Gallardo body is constructed in Neckarsulm and shipped to Sant'Agata Bolognese in Italy. The V10 is an Audi developed engine for Audi's subsidary Lamborghini. Audi already builds a supercar in this arena. It's called Lamborghini. Audi can do anything it wants with Lamborghini since it owns it outright. Spare the rebagde bullshit!
— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 12:14:40 PM | | Votes: 0

VISO,

Regardless, the LFA was built completely from the ground up. The R8 was not, no matter how you look at it.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 10:35:34 AM | | Votes: 1

LFA is much more in the mold of a Porsche Carrera GT than a R8. Porsche made only 1300 GTs for ~$440,000 a piece. Considering Lexus will only make 500 LFAs, $375,000 ain't so bad
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 5:39:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

wow 009 it only took you slightly more than 24 hours after it's official debut to start trashing and creating flame articles about the lf-a... i'm surprised it took you that long
— GeorgeWJoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 6:27:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10

This is a case where Lexus > Audi. No matter how you argue, the LFA in terms of engineering outshines the R8. A V10 that redlines at 9000....amazing..
— darzav (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 6:32:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

so by your logic...

S-class > camry is an accomplishment
911 > camaro is an accomplishment
335i > altima is an accomplishment

the fact that the R8 is better looking, matches many performance numbers and costs 65% less than the LFA is a pathetic statement on lexus.

oh...and the R8 makes money, th LFA is not profitable.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 1:18:08 PM | | Votes: 0

master p is loving the new lexus...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGbfymq9rAg
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 8:05:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I told you's all rappers and NBA'ers would be buying the nu Lexus.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 8:35:51 PM | | Votes: -1

Gotta love the LX450(LC). Best truck Toyota ever made.
— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 11:25:06 AM | | Votes: 1

I don't think anyone who have the money to buy these even thinking about cost. They got too much money to care.
— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 9:16:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

The Euro badgewhores have their panties in a knot about a car that 99.9% of them can't afford.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 9:28:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

R8 is old news, you don't hear about it unless there's a new Ironman movie coming out or there's only LeMans to watch on television.

For Audi's halo car, you'd almost forget they had it.

Funny to see that people are already aiming at the LF-A.

david999,
That would be more like 999.999%. All of them combined couldn't afford one.

Bottomline is Toyota can and they did.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/22/2009 11:21:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

huu76 So that is why they use the R8 again in the Ironman sequel, its old news. Maybe Transporter movies, Transformer 2, etc, makes the brand, and R8 viewed as old school huh, wow. Hollywood is out of touch.

Yeah, what was I thinking, the LFA is so visually stunning, I totally was blinded for a minute by its beauty. You are right, this car will be in every Beverly Hills 90210 episode, and new Bond movies. They won't be able to make enough, and like the historic Enzo, will increase the amount by 50. I better get mine before all the rappers and NBAer's poison the waters. Do you think this will be the new Enzo or Mc Laren F1 beater? Maybe take on the Bugatti 16.4? Can it walk ( drive) on water? Will it end world hunger or world peace? Will Toyota get the Noble Prize for engineering the LFA? Just wondering. Snoop Dog says" this car is the shizzal mah nizzal."
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 4:28:46 AM | | Votes: -1

You know why the R8 is involved with Hollywood,
it's called "product placement" in exchange for money.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 10:26:02 AM | | Votes: 4

Nothing will embarrass the LFA. Its the new king of super cars. Get used to it.
— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 10:17:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

lol
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 10:50:41 AM | | Votes: 3

LFA is a super car, but absolutely not the "King" of super cars.

— E92_M_Power (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 11:09:51 AM | | Votes: 2

hysterical. king of nothing.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/24/2009 1:18:59 PM | | Votes: 2

The Audi Dust not have zee lap timez of zee LFA...Ja Ja
Lexus made it because the new CEO has insecurity issues with himself and purposely made it with a single clutch for better feeling and crappier lap times. That is Bull$%!( man!
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 11:12:51 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I'd pick the R8
— Type707 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 5:53:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Ill Root for the R8, despite the possibility of a Lexus Victory.
— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/23/2009 8:25:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Inspirion7,
How many Bugatti Veyrons do you see in movies and television? It must be a piece of crap because Ironman doesn't drive one.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 12:33:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I see it on the shows I watch, huu.
— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 2:23:59 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Cartoons don't really count.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/25/2009 5:43:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Nice one, huu!! I unlike you actually watch real car shows.
— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2009 2:16:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Car shows? Who's talking about car shows? Quit making things up as you go, its easier to keep your facts straight when you don't lie.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/26/2009 6:15:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Add your Comments

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters): [img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent001.myautospies.com/images/sample.jpg[/img]

Email Me When Someone Replies To My Message

Just as Fast At A Third The Price: Can Audi’s V10 R8 Be The First Supercar To Embarrass The LF-A?

About the Author

User Comments

Add your Comments

Submit an article

Photo Galleries

Cars

Autoshows

Latest Articles