Is an R8 a Supercar?
Discussion
ro55a said:
An R8 uses the exact same design language as an entire range of vehicles, its form has been compromised by its function, the function being one of communicating a brand.
I completely agree that the R8 is there to lift the rest of the brand and make buyers of the more pedestrian models feel better.However, when respected gatekeepers of automotive semantics start using the supercar term with reference to the R8, I think this argument could be said lost even if I personally disagree.
ro55a said:
I see where this one is going in comparison to the R8 and the Audi/Lamborghini connection. Take, just for arguements sake the E for Exclusive. How can an R8 be truly exclusive when it wears the same face as an entry level A series car and a 4x4, not to mention the rest of the range? An R8 uses the exact same design language as an entire range of vehicles, its form has been compromised by its function, the function being one of communicating a brand. This would be comparable to VW releasing a new high end sports car and it wearing the face of a Golf. The Gallardo beats the R8 hands down on that front (excuse the pun) alone. The Gallardo also has a design language, one steeped in Exclusive Supercars......there are no Lamborghini Mini vans or A series cars.
What a load of twaddle - Lamborghini started life making tractors !You've twisted your own argument into the same badge snobbery nonsense that exists in spades on PH. To you the R8 loses any concept of exclusivity because of the badge on the front. Yawn.
What happens then when Lamborghini produce a 4x4 / SUV?
You now seem to be saying that a supercar cannot be a supercar unless the manufacturer only produces supercars.
the "super car " tag is dead imo
now we have 6 or 7 hyper cars which to me are super cars every thing else is "super sports"
poster cars are todays hyper cars
when I were a kid there were only 3 super cars, the F40, 595 and what ever lambo was current at the time.
100k+ cars are so power full now that the Super car is dead, the Hyper cars have taken over and we are left with "super sports"
unless you are a badge snob and think all Ferrari's and lambo's are "supercars"
but the R8 V10 plus is a match for most things, engine , looks and performance, top of Audi's game hence the LMS wins most of the big races, you could say it's the "BEST" super car as it's the one WINNING races.
now we have 6 or 7 hyper cars which to me are super cars every thing else is "super sports"
poster cars are todays hyper cars
when I were a kid there were only 3 super cars, the F40, 595 and what ever lambo was current at the time.
100k+ cars are so power full now that the Super car is dead, the Hyper cars have taken over and we are left with "super sports"
unless you are a badge snob and think all Ferrari's and lambo's are "supercars"
but the R8 V10 plus is a match for most things, engine , looks and performance, top of Audi's game hence the LMS wins most of the big races, you could say it's the "BEST" super car as it's the one WINNING races.
fulham911club said:
What a load of twaddle - Lamborghini started life making tractors !
You've twisted your own argument into the same badge snobbery nonsense that exists in spades on PH. To you the R8 loses any concept of exclusivity because of the badge on the front. Yawn.
What happens then when Lamborghini produce a 4x4 / SUV?
You now seem to be saying that a supercar cannot be a supercar unless the manufacturer only produces super cars.
No I haven't got it twisted. The R8s form is 100% dictated by that front end, period. Thats not the most aerodynamic face it could have, or the most aesthetically pleasing, the designers have not been given free reign to design a form which BEST suits the shape of that particular car, the car's form IS compromised, the designers have been given a clear directive, make it look like an Audi, not as good as it possibly could but like an Audi. An its got nothing to do with it being Audi, its the compromise and therein lies the rub…..Supercars aren't about compromise. Yes Lamborghini make tractors but the cars do not share the same face do they?You've twisted your own argument into the same badge snobbery nonsense that exists in spades on PH. To you the R8 loses any concept of exclusivity because of the badge on the front. Yawn.
What happens then when Lamborghini produce a 4x4 / SUV?
You now seem to be saying that a supercar cannot be a supercar unless the manufacturer only produces super cars.
ro55a said:
fulham911club said:
What a load of twaddle - Lamborghini started life making tractors !
You've twisted your own argument into the same badge snobbery nonsense that exists in spades on PH. To you the R8 loses any concept of exclusivity because of the badge on the front. Yawn.
What happens then when Lamborghini produce a 4x4 / SUV?
You now seem to be saying that a supercar cannot be a supercar unless the manufacturer only produces super cars.
No I haven't got it twisted. The R8s form is 100% dictated by that front end, period. Thats not the most aerodynamic face it could have, or the most aesthetically pleasing, the designers have not been given free reign to design a form which BEST suits the shape of that particular car, the car's form IS compromised, the designers have been given a clear directive, make it look like an Audi, not as good as it possibly could but like an Audi. An its got nothing to do with it being Audi, its the compromise and therein lies the rub…..Supercars aren't about compromise. Yes Lamborghini make tractors but the cars do not share the same face do they?You've twisted your own argument into the same badge snobbery nonsense that exists in spades on PH. To you the R8 loses any concept of exclusivity because of the badge on the front. Yawn.
What happens then when Lamborghini produce a 4x4 / SUV?
You now seem to be saying that a supercar cannot be a supercar unless the manufacturer only produces super cars.
ro55a said:
The R8s form is 100% dictated by that front end, period. Thats not the most aerodynamic face it could have, or the most aesthetically pleasing, the designers have not been given free reign to design a form which BEST suits the shape of that particular car, the car's form IS compromised, the designers have been given a clear directive, make it look like an Audi, not as good as it possibly could but like an Audi. An its got nothing to do with it being Audi, its the compromise and therein lies the rub…..Supercars aren't about compromise. Yes Lamborghini make tractors but the cars do not share the same face do they?
Why do Lamborghini's and Ferrari's look different then?That argument makes no sense.
gregf40 said:
Why do Lamborghini's and Ferrari's look different then?
That argument makes no sense.
But he owns a Ferrari so his comment is to be expected.That argument makes no sense.
Carrera GT looks like a Porsche shocker will be next...
(BTW : On ro55a's logic the Carrera GT cannot be a supercar as it looks like a Cayenne from the front or something equally daft)
A chap on our street has an R8. But the fact he regularly parks it overnight out in the road kind of discounts it as a supercar in my book. To my mind, you wouldn't dare leave a supercar out on a residential street in a city unless it happens to be the sort of area owned by Russians & Arabs (our area isn't). I don't know which variant of R8 it is, btw.
Behemoth said:
A chap on our street has an R8. But the fact he regularly parks it overnight out in the road kind of discounts it as a supercar in my book. To my mind, you wouldn't dare leave a supercar out on a residential street in a city unless it happens to be the sort of area owned by Russians & Arabs (our area isn't). I don't know which variant of R8 it is, btw.
I suggest you visit London then - street parking is a regular sight...fulham911club said:
I suggest you visit London then - street parking is a regular sight...
I lived in London for a large chunk of my life and own property there. I'd certainly put a 911 or an R8 overnight on most streets in many boroughs. With a supercar, I'd choose my streets and boroughs more carefully 
Behemoth said:
fulham911club said:
I suggest you visit London then - street parking is a regular sight...
I lived in London for a large chunk of my life and own property there. I'd certainly put a 911 or an R8 overnight on most streets in many boroughs. With a supercar, I'd choose my streets and boroughs more carefully fulham911club said:
But he owns a Ferrari so his comment is to be expected.
Carrera GT looks like a Porsche shocker will be next...
(BTW : On ro55a's logic the Carrera GT cannot be a supercar as it looks like a Cayenne from the front or something equally daft)
"But he owns a Ferrari so his comment is to be expected." Excellent. By the way I am in the market for a new car (2nd hand) and am seriously considering an R8, really I am. As a daily driver though Carrera GT looks like a Porsche shocker will be next...
(BTW : On ro55a's logic the Carrera GT cannot be a supercar as it looks like a Cayenne from the front or something equally daft)
Heres a shot of the one I am considering.
fulham911club said:
Behemoth said:
A chap on our street has an R8. But the fact he regularly parks it overnight out in the road kind of discounts it as a supercar in my book. To my mind, you wouldn't dare leave a supercar out on a residential street in a city unless it happens to be the sort of area owned by Russians & Arabs (our area isn't). I don't know which variant of R8 it is, btw.
I suggest you visit London then - street parking is a regular sight...ETA and when I was in Fulham I only ever saw one 458 that lived on the road for a few months near South Park
ro55a said:
"But he owns a Ferrari so his comment is to be expected." Excellent. By the way I am in the market for a new car (2nd hand) and am seriously considering an R8, really I am. As a daily driver though Heres a shot of the one I am considering.
er , it's an iconic car and has dated very well, you can tell I am in the market for one ;-) Heres a shot of the one I am considering.
ro55a said:
No I haven't got it twisted. The R8s form is 100% dictated by that front end, period. Thats not the most aerodynamic face it could have, or the most aesthetically pleasing, the designers have not been given free reign to design a form which BEST suits the shape of that particular car, the car's form IS compromised, the designers have been given a clear directive, make it look like an Audi, not as good as it possibly could but like an Audi. An its got nothing to do with it being Audi, its the compromise and therein lies the rub…..Supercars aren't about compromise. Yes Lamborghini make tractors but the cars do not share the same face do they?
You show me one tractor manufacturer that makes cars as well that look similar silly argument really
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