Top Gear pits Audi R8 against Nissan GT-R for 2007 car of the year

On look alone, the Audi R8 win, but on performance wise the Nissan GT-R is the NEW King in Town. On the track or street, the Nissan GT-R will own the Audi R8 easy.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 5:01:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I think the Nissan GT-R looks best with chrome wheels.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 5:24:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -15   

what do speed limits have to do with how good a car is?

— Talli (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 5:26:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

The last line is typical TG comedy: "...it's even got soul. A remarkable feat for an Audi."

The article also states that the GT-R isn't going to be available in Europe until March of 2009. Is that right?

— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 5:38:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Bravo for Audi. The R8 wins ANOTHER Car of the Year award. This time from Top Gear. Automobile Magazine, Auto Zeitung, Autoweek, Top Gear and Autocar have all named the Audi R8 their Car of the Year.

Looks like amazinIdiot won't be spoiling this party by posting on this thread.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 6:00:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

You might want to read a little closer. On the first page is says WINNER GT-R. Regarding BETWEEN the R8 and the GT-R.

On the show they named the new Ford Mondeo as the car of the year 2007.

— FastGTR (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 7:52:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

The article basically says that the R8 wins because of the overall driving experience. R8s Driving Quality over the GT-Rs Power Quantity.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 10:23:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

"pales in significance?" It has taken the automotive world by storm in 2007. I haven't seen a sports car do this in quite a long time---and no way in hell did I expect it to come from my dear Audi. The GT-R, while stunning in performance, doesn't offer much other than straight-line thrills. It isn't luxurious. It isn't beautiful. It isn't for the faint of heart. I could never see myself in one, because it's just too immature... but the R8 has my name written all over it. And apparently, everyone else's, too. Because the awards keep coming. And every single person who has driven the thing has been won over by its many charms. SPEED BE DAMNED: the R8 doesn't have to be the fastest car in the world to be the best!

I may just have to settle for a C4S, though... sigh, LOL.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/3/2008 1:29:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Everyone up here know that the GT-R will own the Audi R8 in performance level. I guess this just a way to make the German feel superior because the Nissan GT-R is the NEW king on the Famous track.

The base Nissan GT-R did 7:38s on the Famous track, and 0-60 in 3.3s or less. The driver of the Nissan GT-R can do thing with the GT-R that the German engineer dream of but Never quiet get there.

Come on...performance, power, and pure exotic handling of a Supercars for a mere $70k. You Can't beat that my friend.

And if you want to talk about magical feel or soul or if it existed in a car? Ask the Guy at edmund.com and what is it like to test drive the Nissan GT-R and using it launch button.

I betcha he probably "Wet" his pant while test driving the Nissan GT-R. If Not I know I would If I was the one test driving the Nissan GT-R.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 11:41:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

And if you want to talk about Magical feel and Soul of a Car, go test drive the Nissan GT-R when it available.

And to all the M3, R8, RS4, and Porsche driver, if you see the New Nissan GT-R pull right next to you at a Red light look away. Unless you want to look stupid in front of you girlfriend because the GT-R will leave you eating dirt for desert.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 11:45:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

GT-R, no doubt,totally new car, the audi is based off the Gallarado

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 1:01:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

fastonekiller,

don't worry bro, there are rumor that Nissan is releasing a lighter and more powerful GT-R with 550+ hp as well.

It will be nice to see if goes head to head with the Audi R8 V10 and see who will win. I willing to bet the Nissan GT-R will win again.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 1:07:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

LOL Larry doesn't even know that Audi developed the Lamborghini Gallardo. Larry, you moron, Audi bought Lamborghini....

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 2:33:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The comments in here are amazing.

Who cares?

Both are amazing cars, both are totally different cars, both will sell well.

All this bickering and these flame wars are just pathetic.

— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 5:57:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I think everyone knows the Audi beats the GTR hands down when it comes to exterior styling and interior fit and finish, the GTR with its limited production numbers will have the edge in exclusivity and raw performance and it gets really ugly when it comes to bang for the buck. I would take either one, but for different reasons. If I wanted to make a statement, a coming out of sorts (not really my style) I would pick the Audi. If I wanted a raw sports car with cutting edge technology, neck snapping acceleration and the ability to make me throw up on the skidpad, I would pick the GTR and spend days at the track. If money is no object then I would pick neither and head down to my local Ferrari dealer for a v12 something or other. I would call this one a tie, both should provide endless satisfaction for different reasons....

Stone

— stone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 12:07:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

GTR for me :)

I'm too young to understand the "feedback" a car is suppose to give. I'm all up for hardcore racing

— KZ258 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 12:12:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

my vote goes to the R8, the GT-R is a brilliant car but it has lost it easy tunabilyt.

— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 1:52:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I remember that i got some stick for saying in autospies, that the GTR and the R8 are very similar cars, except for the pricepoint and possibly the design theme, but guess what; a big flame war began, where everyone was scathing me for comparing their beloved R8 to a 65 grand GTR, and all those dogmatic sassys kept on saying that the R8 is a two seater supercar and has design elements from the star wars jet machines(it was a joke) and so could not be compared to the GTR, but if you can look over the design, you can clearly see that the performance figures are very close and both cars are pitted against 911 turbo and both cars are seemingly mighty popular, and guess what even the Top Gear ppl are now thinking on the same line with me, so to all those buffoons who incinerated me for comparing the R8 and GTR, this article is for you.

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 2:44:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

People with class will buy the Audi R8.

People without class will buy the Datsun GT-R thingy.

I have spoken.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 4:07:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

EL 34, you mean people without class will buy the Volkwagen R8 thingy.

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 5:24:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

Audi is nothing more than rebadged VW Beetles, Jettas and Golfs, a unpopular brand in the USA.

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 5:27:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

TOP GEAR NEVER LIKE AMERICAN CARS AND JAPANESE CARS
SO THEY HAVE TO GIVE TO AUDI
well R8 is great car, but in performance, i think GTR is the best for over all performance

— pchera01 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 7:07:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

better yet, people without class drive an Audi/VW

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 10:24:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Larry I love how you spew opinionated garbage.

Larry's opinion is that people without class drive Audi and Volkswagen.

Larry what's the matter, you couldn't find any OBJECTIVE problem with the R8 that you could attack?

Try to bring an objective arguement.

Oh yeah people that buy $120K cars don't have any class right?

That is your opinion.

Provide me objective data that shows the Audi R8 is a bad car you LOSER.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 11:32:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I love it how to attack the claim that Audi's R8 is indeed a great car that has been reaffirmed through its numerous car of the year awards, track times, and comparison test wins Larry's response is purely OPINIONATED.

Larry can you provide me PROOF that says Audi drivers don't have class and is also an unpopular brand worldwide?

Again, I ask for PROOF that supports your claim that Audi drivers don't have class.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 11:35:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I also ask for PROOF that states the Audi R8 is a bad car.

Again don't provide your opinion that can't be supported by fact, provide something that has factual support to make your arguement worthwhile.

I can respond and say BMW owners don't have any class because they don't buy cars with a $118K price tag.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 11:37:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

For all of those GT-R fans who feel slighted, here a link to Sun magazine car of year. Pitting the R8 with the GT-R, and a review of the GT-R.....all of which is done by a woman which makes things interesting
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/motors/emma_parker_bowles/article549347.ece
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/motors/article626331.ece

— aston_martin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 11:51:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Wow, all I see is Flame wars O_o

The R8 is Awesome! The GT-R is Awesome!

Huge amounts of engineering went into both these cars.

— FastGTR (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2007 11:56:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Coming strictly from a neutral position,this is a shallow victory for the R8. As stated in the article it only won by a shade in the purely subjective areas (looks, soul)which depending on the reviewer can go either way.

Whereas the GT-R in the test clearly outclasses the R8 in every category (speed,braking,cornering) hell they were praising the GTR capabilities throughout the article, hardly mentioning the R8 (its wipers!).

But in the end both are good cars, which under the skin arent really too different from one another. Both are AWD, packed with gizmos, and both are in competition with the 911.

— aston_martin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 12:46:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Have to agree with "aston martin", clearly the choice boils down to personal preference, but also in the US the R8 with 420 HP and 0-60mph of 4.4 sec is about $60,000 more than the Godzilla, producing 473 HP and a 0-60mph of 3.5 seconds, so if i can get much better performance for almost 60 grand less, why on earth will i not get the GTR over the R8, unless off course i am willing to cover up my secret loyalty to german cars by saying that the R8 is a class above the GTR without having any solid evidence to support this claim, and still acting to be totally neutral. Come on guys, people who are willing to pay 120 grand for the R8 just agree to the fact that you guys are just such loyalists/biased that you guys will get a similar car for 60 grand more just because it is from germany, not the GTR though just because it is from Japan. And all this claim about "looks and soul" are just bogus excuse to justify your biased viewpoint, nothing else.

— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 1:22:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

amazinIdiot, I dare you to post something negative about the Audi R8.

of course you will reference sales numbers although we all know for such an exotic everyday driver, the R8 MUST be made in small quantities if it is to maintain its excellence.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 3:56:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Car of the year. Who cares? I love when people compare cars that aren't even in the same class. Both a amazing cars and have their strengths, but lets be serious, no single person is considering both. No one buying an R8 is considering getting a GTR instead, and no one getting a GTR is going to think about getting the R8.

— wedouglas (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 4:41:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Oh, and people who bring up ring times and such. Worthless for 99.999999% of people. None of you will ever get anywhere close to it. 99.99999% of you will never get anywhere near top speed outside of a track. Why buy a car based on things that are irrelevant to you? Please tell me how often that extra .5 seconds matters on the real road when going 0-60. I can't think of the last time I gunned it off the line.

I'd say that you shouldn't even comment on the performance of these cars unless you have driven both and made use of the abilities to their fullest and do so on a regular basis.

— wedouglas (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 4:52:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Kraut do you realize that Audi is adding not only a more powerful V10 R8, but also a convertible targa model within the next two years.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/30/2007 10:33:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Although quite impressive I do feel that one can not judge a car simply by performance numbers . The GTR sounds beautiful and in Nissan has delivered sports car success yet cast all the numbers aside and drive the cars and I speculate that the overall fit and finish can not be compared .

Nissan has in the past launched cars aimed at performance and value . High speed bargain shopping certainly has its appeal but take price out and examine which cars offer the full package of comfort, style, in addition to the world class performance. Look at which cars offer reliability , and customer service .

Look at which car you would rather have in 5 years when that leather fades and warranty is over and it sits next to a Sentra as the service writer is busy with Altimas and such and the GTR faces its long term mechanical issues that most don't even consider.

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 2:08:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

This is the first Top Gear magazine article I've ever read. The R8 is beautiful, especially the front and rear, and the sides look nice, too. This new R35 GT-R is the nicest-looking one of all the GT-Rs, in my opinion, and the design is really growing on me. It seems that the standard has just risen again with this new R35 GT-R...

— LexusLion (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 4:36:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

amazinIdiot, we are all anxiously awaiting your post on this thread that bashes the Audi R8.

You will either reference sales numbers athough we all know that arguement is not going to hold up.

You might reference the Lamborghini Gallardo although we all know that Audi owns Lamborghini and was responsible for the creation of the Gallardo.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 10:24:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

amazinIdiot you are a complete flake. I dared you to post something negative about the Audi R8 on this thread and what do you do? You don't even post.

Post something to make yourself look like a fool again when you decide to reference sales numbers for an exotic everyday car or the fact that Audi borrowed from Lamborghini's Gallardo even though Audi was responsible for creating the Gallardo.

C'mon you amazinIdiot....why don't you post?

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/31/2007 12:02:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

BMWs and Audis are amazing. I don't know why it's so hard for you to imagine their co-existence in greatness. Because I have them both in my garage... and it's much better than monotony.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 1/3/2008 1:48:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Wow! You praised the Audi R8, amazinBimmer. Congratulations, and I am glad to see you with a positive approach towards Audi now that we are in 2008. I see someone clearly made a New Year's resolution and has stuck by it.

BMW makes cars that handle better than Audi's traditionally. However, the R8 is a great example that shows the world what Audi's engineers are capable of if they set their mind to creating a truly exciting, amazing, and unique car both from the driver and passerby perspectives.

Sure, your E39 M5 maybe slightly faster than my Porsche Boxster S, but my Porsche Boxster S will still provide the feedback, handling and response that your M5 can't.

Do yourself a favor amazinBimmer, go and drive the Audi R8 at your local dealership if that is at all possible.

I promise you, the looks will immediately grab your attention before you even open the door and once you drive it you will be taken away by the excellent handling, the smooth and balanced chassis, the eagerness of the engine to rev to the 8,250 rpm redline, the impressive acceleration, the remarkable sound, the modern interior and the ability to feel like a racecar driver everytime you are behind the wheel thanks to the R8's easy-to-drive nature.

This comes all while knowing that you can do an oversteer powerslide and still remain safe thanks to Quattro AWD when you reach the limit. Oh yeah, one more thing, you'll feel like a rockstar because cameras will be flashing, heads will be turning, people will be pointing and talking about the beautiful R8 everytime they see you go by.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2008 11:17:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I likem both; though I like the Audi more. Nice mix between luxury and sport; it would be great if more makes did this.

— LEXEDES82 (View Profile)

Posted on 1/2/2008 11:59:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1