RE: New Audi R8 - first look

[soad]

carinaman said:

When I see an R8, I think Gallardo. I'd not be bothered if was branded Skoda or Seat I'd still want one.

Would you prefer to own a generic Audi or a Lamborghini? Tough choice that!

[kambites]

soad said:

carinaman said:

When I see an R8, I think Gallardo. I'd not be bothered if was branded Skoda or Seat I'd still want one.

Would you prefer to own a generic Audi or a Lamborghini? Tough choice that!

Couldn't care less what badge was on the nose, to be honest.

[anonymous-user]

soad said:

carinaman said:

When I see an R8, I think Gallardo. I'd not be bothered if was branded Skoda or Seat I'd still want one.

Would you prefer to own a generic Audi or a Lamborghini? Tough choice that!

In what way is an R8 generic?

[Mini 360]

I dont see the issue at all. Its awesome technology. Embrace it.

People are saying headlights are fine as they are, if it aint broke, dont fix it attitude. We could say the same about everything in life. Why bother developing things better than they are already?

Your car does 40mpg but if you got offered a new one that does 50mpg, you will most likely, prefer it. Both are fine but obviously you would want the better one, the one that does 50mpg.

Imagine being asked which you would prefer? These lights light up 50m ahead of you. These lights light up 100m ahead of you and are smart as hell to help you see dangers further ahead. No brainer (if you take the extra money out of the equation)

If people don't support new technology we will just stagnate and stay as we are which isn't in our nature as humans. Embrace the laser headlights! Embrace change!

[soad]

MonkeyMatt said:

In what way is an R8 generic?

That's subjective. I don't have the time to enter a shouting match.

[chibbard]

I'd still choose a Lamborghini over an R8 as I much prefer the front of the Lamborghini. The R8 looks very dull from the front.

[anonymous-user]

soad said:

That's subjective. I don't have the time to enter a shouting match.

Not looking for a shouting match, just don't see how an R8 is any way generic. Because Audi make generic cars doesn't mean that this is. It's no more generic than a 911 or any other sport/super car

[Olivera]

What I don't get is why people don't get the R8.

It's as if some people assume it's a staid boring drive despite all the evidence. The last R8 was regarded as a fantastic drivers car with a beautifully balanced and adjustable chassis. In many group tests it was regarded as better and more enjoyable as the 911, and as a superior drivers car than the Gallardo.

[neil1jnr]

Disastrous said:

neil1jnr said:

I only see this as a good thing, the brighter the better, the more visibility the better.

Why? Can't you see ok already?

I have great vision. Like I said, the more visibility the better, I'll stand by that point. Would you rather have halogen headlamps which are rubbish in dark unlit A/B roads or LED ones which adjust automatically and make driving safer and easier?

[anonymous-user]

Olivera said:

What I don't get is why people don't get the R8.

It's as if some people assume it's a staid boring drive despite all the evidence. The last R8 was regarded as a fantastic drivers car with a beautifully balanced and adjustable chassis. In many group tests it was regarded as better and more enjoyable as the 911, and as a superior drivers car than the Gallardo.

Badge snobbery usually. Either that or they can't afford one and it's easy to bash because it does not have the right badge.

[willisit]

garyhun said:

Olivera said:

What I don't get is why people don't get the R8.

It's as if some people assume it's a staid boring drive despite all the evidence. The last R8 was regarded as a fantastic drivers car with a beautifully balanced and adjustable chassis. In many group tests it was regarded as better and more enjoyable as the 911, and as a superior drivers car than the Gallardo.

Badge snobbery usually. Either that or they can't afford one and it's easy to bash because it does not have the right badge.

Yup. I have a Monaro. Hated as a Vauxhall...

I'm not in a position to have the horrible decision on whether I could own one of these, but at £40k it'd be on my list (alongside a 911). Lovely cars and I couldn't care less about the badge. No one should.

[Disastrous]

neil1jnr said:

Disastrous said:

neil1jnr said:

I only see this as a good thing, the brighter the better, the more visibility the better.

Why? Can't you see ok already?

I have great vision. Like I said, the more visibility the better, I'll stand by that point. Would you rather have halogen headlamps which are rubbish in dark unlit A/B roads or LED ones which adjust automatically and make driving safer and easier?

That's my point - I couldn't care less. I grew up in the country at the tail end of a web of unlit B-roads and as said, headlamps were more than effective for me by the late 90's. I genuinely couldn't care less about having 'better' headlights and would just be more self-conscious about annoying other people.

I don't have particularly light-sensitive eyes so headlights don't bother me but to read everyone crying on here about brake lights etc, it clearly affects lots of people (whether Audio say there's do or not).

Anyway, that's besides my point, which is if you offered me a choice between current headlamps and fancy LED ones which adjust, I'd have no reaction at all. I just couldn't care less. It's like trying to offer me a better bin or something. My bin's fine. If you tried to charge me for them, it'd be a definite 'no' and if it was just what came with the car, then I'd be utterly ambivalent towards them.

Just curious as to when people will think that lights are bright enough but it seems that never, is the general feeling here?

[Modificata]

Olivera said:

What I don't get is why people don't get the R8.

It's as if some people assume it's a staid boring drive despite all the evidence. The last R8 was regarded as a fantastic drivers car with a beautifully balanced and adjustable chassis. In many group tests it was regarded as better and more enjoyable as the 911, and as a superior drivers car than the Gallardo.

The R8 to me is a bit soulless. Its been designed to meet a design agenda, fit a certain cost profile, be practical and sport in the right balance. Which is all great expect it’s a boring design. Interior and exterior is a bit bland and generic. Its not a stand out design classic and that’s the problem I have with the R8. There is just not enough passion in the design, and needs a little more bonkers. Its like dating an accountant. She might be nice and do your tax return but in 5 years time you wont even remember her name.

Despite all its faults the rear engine of the 911 has become a defining design element and Porsche has made it technically work. Credit to them. The car looks just as good today as it did in the early years. Ferrari too. Every model (bar a few) looked good then, and look good now. It makes you want to drive it. I just don’t get that with an R8.

Besides the fact that you have to dazzle people with fancy headlights means there is something lacking on the car. Bit like go faster stripes in the 80’s. I mean I don’t get excited about my ABS – Its just part of the car. 30 years ago that was a big thing, just like fancy lights today.

[ManOpener]

Have you actually ever driven an R8? You comments suggest you haven't, given that you never actually talk about anything really driving-related, but you never state so categorically. I highly recommend you do.

[Cyder]

Mini 360 said:

I dont see the issue at all. Its awesome technology. Embrace it.

People are saying headlights are fine as they are, if it aint broke, dont fix it attitude. We could say the same about everything in life. Why bother developing things better than they are already?

Your car does 40mpg but if you got offered a new one that does 50mpg, you will most likely, prefer it. Both are fine but obviously you would want the better one, the one that does 50mpg.

Imagine being asked which you would prefer? These lights light up 50m ahead of you. These lights light up 100m ahead of you and are smart as hell to help you see dangers further ahead. No brainer (if you take the extra money out of the equation)

If people don't support new technology we will just stagnate and stay as we are which isn't in our nature as humans. Embrace the laser headlights! Embrace change!

I'd highly recommend driving a car with laser headlamps fitted and then ask yourself a) if you think they're necessary/a big help and b) do you really think they're worth £10k extra (which I think is what the option cost is on the Audi).

The only time I thought they were remotely useful was when peddling on at 200kph+ on the Autobahn and it completely emptied briefly. I could see a road sign a long way in the distance. But frankly even at that speed it wasn't much more helpfuly than the fantastic high beam performance.

I like new technology, hell, to an extent it keeps me in a job otherwise folks would just keep buying the same old cars. But technology for the sake of it or worse, for the sake of marketing is pointless and annoying in my opinion.

[carinaman]

soad said:

carinaman said:

When I see an R8, I think Gallardo. I'd not be bothered if was branded Skoda or Seat I'd still want one.

Would you prefer to own a generic Audi or a Lamborghini? Tough choice that!

Generic Audi with generic gear lever please.

[HighwayStar]

carinaman said:

soad said:

carinaman said:

When I see an R8, I think Gallardo. I'd not be bothered if was branded Skoda or Seat I'd still want one.

Would you prefer to own a generic Audi or a Lamborghini? Tough choice that!

Generic Audi with generic gear lever please.

There's my problem with the R8 right there... I had the luck of the use of a V10 Plus for a day, now I I'm notgoing to say it wasn't a lot of fun but...
In the pic above, just ahead of the gear shift, are the air con and heated seats controls. I have a TTS and they are lifter straight out of the TT, along with the seats and satnav. All subjective I know but if I was spending £130K for a car I'd expect a be more of an individual, bespoke interior than hand me down stuff from a £37k TT.... As good as it was I just couldn't get away from that fact. Couldn't fault the performance but I couldn't warm to the R8, interior wise it just didn't feel special, like I was sitting in a bigger TT.
I fear the new one will follow the same formula, we know it will have the new TT's TFT screen....
Also Audi seem hell bent on dragging Lamborghini down to a mediocre product, holding it back in the handling/fun stakes whilst elevating the R8 in those areas. That's just wrong!

Edited by HighwayStar on Wednesday 18th February 07:05

[blueg33]

HighwayStar said:

There's my problem with the R8 right there... I had the luck of the use of a V10 Plus for a day, now I I'm notgoing to say it wasn't a lot of fun but...
In the pic above, just ahead of the gear shift, are the air con and heated seats controls. I have a TTS and they are lifter straight out of the TT, along with the seats and satnav. All subjective I know but if I was spending £130K for a car I'd expect a be more of an individual, bespoke interior than hand me down stuff from a £37k TT.... As good as it was I just couldn't get away from that fact. Couldn't fault the performance but I couldn't warm to the R8, interior wise it just didn't feel special, like I was sitting in a bigger TT.
I fear the new one will follow the same formula, we know it will have the new TT's TFT screen....
Also Audi seem hell bent on dragging Lamborghini down to a mediocre product, holding it back in the handling/fun stakes whilst elevating the R8 in those areas. That's just wrong!

Genuine question - is it the hand me down parts that enable Audi to deliver a car with the performance of a Lambo but at just over half the price? If so its a worthy compromise and one that makes sense.

I do know what you mean though about feeling special, when I first sat in an R8 I noticed the swotch gear from my A6 and the sat nav from the previous discontinued A6 model.

Edited by HighwayStar on Wednesday 18th February 07:05

[HighwayStar]

blueg33 said:

HighwayStar said:

There's my problem with the R8 right there... I had the luck of the use of a V10 Plus for a day, now I I'm notgoing to say it wasn't a lot of fun but...
In the pic above, just ahead of the gear shift, are the air con and heated seats controls. I have a TTS and they are lifter straight out of the TT, along with the seats and satnav. All subjective I know but if I was spending £130K for a car I'd expect a be more of an individual, bespoke interior than hand me down stuff from a £37k TT.... As good as it was I just couldn't get away from that fact. Couldn't fault the performance but I couldn't warm to the R8, interior wise it just didn't feel special, like I was sitting in a bigger TT.
I fear the new one will follow the same formula, we know it will have the new TT's TFT screen....
Also Audi seem hell bent on dragging Lamborghini down to a mediocre product, holding it back in the handling/fun stakes whilst elevating the R8 in those areas. That's just wrong!

Genuine question - is it the hand me down parts that enable Audi to deliver a car with the performance of a Lambo but at just over half the price? If so its a worthy compromise and one that makes sense.

I do know what you mean though about feeling special, when I first sat in an R8 I noticed the swotch gear from my A6 and the sat nav from the previous discontinued A6 model.

Edited by HighwayStar on Wednesday 18th February 07:05

VW's business model build everything on as few platforms as possible. Using the same parts and modules across as many models as possible brings huge economies of scale! So yes it's probably kept the price down. I'm not bothered about what I can't see but the things I can see, for the money, I don't want to see it in the lowliest TT.
Of course if an R8 owner has never sat in, owned or driven a TT he'll but none the wiser.... Or doesn't care. At the end of the day it's a personal thing.

[Modificata]

ManOpener said:

Have you actually ever driven an R8? You comments suggest you haven't, given that you never actually talk about anything really driving-related, but you never state so categorically. I highly recommend you do.

Not recently no. But im not talking about the way it drives. I've said before technically it may be up there just like the GTR. Its about whether or not it feels special and one of the other posts made the point well. It feels like a bigger TT inside.

£100K on a R8 or a 599? Come now. There is no comparison!