RE: Audi R8 RWS: Driven

[gianlu]

I find bizarre that some jurnos believes the steering is much improved (topgear, car throttle) whereas Evo and here think otherwise.

I don't think this was meant to be a gt3 "option" for the ones not chosen. To me it's more of a GTS alternative.
I was in the market for a GTS but the new turbo left me "cold". Cannot say the same as the V10. Yes the RWS seems pricier, but it comes with pretty much everything as standard. Try and add metallic to the GTS+PDK then compare prices again.

And I have a lotus-honda for the track. So, for the price of the GT3 (real world price) I can get a V10 GT car and a cheap to maintain track toy.

Tell me I'm wrong 😉

[Resolutionary]

Ruskins said:

Yes! The RS4 5 cylinder makes a great noise! near 400BHP also! Stick it in a rear wheel drive R8 and strip some weight out, that would make for an interesting prospect!

The RS4 is a 6 cyl, to be pedantic (probably a typo)!

Also, what use is a review of a rear driven Audi without at least a photo (and preferably some footage) of the arse hanging out on a corner? 2/10.

[Nuttcase]

Bencolem said:

For me, it would make so much more sense if they put the engine from the S4 in this and priced it to match a base 911.

that was rumoured last year. Something to do with the Chinese market where substantial tax is imposed for cars greater than 3.0L (think 991.2).

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/audi-r...

[Yipper]

It is a lot of money for what is basically a TT on steroids with the AWD system unplugged.

[FN2TypeR]

Yipper said:

It is a lot of money for what is basically a TT on steroids with the AWD system unplugged.

[NJJ]

As the author said, they should have followed the Porsche GT3 RS route with this and made it more special/different from the rest of the R8 range. If they had then offered a manual box with the V10 too as a no cost option then you would have had the perfect analogue car in a digital age.

[wab172uk]

Having previously owned a manual R8 V8, I honestly think the looks are a step backwards.

I wasn't keen when the MKII came out, but I positively hate it now. McLaren 570GT would get my money now ....... if I could afford one

[gofasterrosssco]

Yipper said:

It is a lot of money for what is basically a TT on steroids with the AWD system unplugged.

Not sure if trolling or just genuinely have no clue about performance cars..

[NDNDNDND]

NJJ said:

As the author said, they should have followed the Porsche GT3 RS route with this and made it more special/different from the rest of the R8 range. If they had then offered a manual box with the V10 too as a no cost option then you would have had the perfect analogue car in a digital age.

I agree. Perhaps the car would also feel less aloof with a manual gearbox? Although sadly most supercar customers seem to prefer their supercar to be a skill-free zone...

[epom]

Just another option. Won't bother me. Looks lovely though on paper.

[SidewaysSi]

Yet another Audi that fails to hit the mark.

[PunterCam]

Nah. Nice that it's cheaper, but I dislike cheapness of this sort.. It's marketing cheapness, rather than actual cheapness.. You get less, but it's obviously cost Audi good money to develop this variant, so I'd expect it to cost more.. It's a bit "people pleasing", and that kind of thing never sits right with me. And I know - it's cost them money, but they're selling it for less, why on earth would I complain? Well things like this just make me think about the profit margins they must have across the range - it's a little unpleasant that they can afford to do this, no?

And then there's the whole "who is it for" thing.. I mean, the original R8 was basically RWD anyway, and suitably lairy with it, and they've gone down the more "quattro" route with the newer one, fine, and now they've made a RWD one? Which is only a small woman lighter? It's just a confused rambling of a car line up in my eyes! The V8 R8 already exists - it did everything this seemingly wants to be, better, for what, 60% of the cost new?!

Just another car for the inner-London poseur - nobody's buying this from a purists standpoint. "Yah, I bought it because it's rear wheel drive and I like the feeling of control I get from it yah".

I'm bitter before my time! Modern cars are doing my nut in. I'm sure it's very good, but EVERY new car is very good. I'm not sure a single new car is very interesting though..

[Slippydiff]

Ah yes, the Audi R8, the "safe" supercar ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SGIJXbghxg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQNXFL9FtXQ

[ilovequo]

Ive never seen the appeal of an r8
Or any audi for that matter

[Ruskins]

Resolutionary said:

The RS4 is a 6 cyl, to be pedantic (probably a typo)!

Also, what use is a review of a rear driven Audi without at least a photo (and preferably some footage) of the arse hanging out on a corner? 2/10.

Yes i corrected it but you got pedantic before i could click edit!

[Sully3606]

So bored of all the cliche comments surrounding R8's and Audi's in general, safe, boring, underwhelming, its all utter B.S. This rwd version might not be a Gt3 rival but was it ever going to be really? I've just watched a video of this been thrown around a track in Dubai, most of the time sideways with the driver loving every second and heaping praise on it for its manageable wildness, I think the test team might be a bit safe and boring not the cars they're testing.

[Housey]

Slippydiff said:

Ah yes, the Audi R8, the "safe" supercar ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SGIJXbghxg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQNXFL9FtXQ

It takes proper talent to be that st.

[Housey]

ilovequo said:

Ive never seen the appeal of an r8
Or any audi for that matter

Well if you base your view of cars on a badge or the image of the demographic who drives them I can full understand that.

Of course if you have driven say a Mk1 R8 V10 Plus like mine you might understand the appeal.

Just saying, as my car history is very varied and those who will know me will tell you how crap I think most Audi's are.

[Gameface]

Jual Mass Flywheel said:

sidesauce said:

ACW said:

It needs another 150kg taken off it at least. And replace the V10 with a V8... make it a GT3 rival in feel.

So let me get this straight - you're suggesting removal of 150kgs from the car (pushing the price significantly), replacing one of the best naturally aspirated engines of any type currently on sale anywhere with a V8 as well as making a mid-engined car feel like a (flat 6) rear-engined car. Er, yeah... good luck with that.

Alternatively, just buy a GT3.

The R8 was a V8 originally so I don't see why that's an issue

The issue is that AFAIK Audi don't have a high performance naturally aspirated V8 engine in their range anymore.

[Housey]

My issue with the current R8 is the fact everyone adds the Dynamic Steering / Active Damping / Sports Exhaust option. The Dynamic Steering is horrible and ruins the car (for me) and I would also prefer a non active damper as in the previous model Plus, which though less compliant does make the car feel more lively and to add a set up or tweak the set up easier. If you want to make it more like a GT3 then stop speccing those bloody options or drive one without them.

I had a 996 GT3 with various track geo's so know what 'feel' is all about and I also know that my Mk1 V10 Pus is never boring and for an Audi is incredibly well sorted, lively and feelsome, if not GT3 levels of feel it REALLY isn't 'just another Audi'. If anyone says that I switch off as they obviously have little, most likely no relevant experience or an inability to feel anything. Yea most Audi's are blunt, lacking feel, over servo'd braking, horrible damping and numbness is their special skill, but the R8 is not one of those.

Get over the badge as at 75K for a Mk1 Plus I can think of no sports car close to it's value/pace/specialness and it's why I bought one and in 16 months have added 20K miles to it including some very rapid laps of Donington, Silverstone and the Ring. Stop with the stereotyping as it's silly, childish and wrong.