Is the Audi R8 based on a Gallardo or vice versa?

[AdvocatusD]

I know they're closely related, but which was the chicken and which was the egg?

My guess is they are different cars and the R8 just has an engine based on the Gallardo?

Reference sources would be great as this is meant to settle a pub argument.

[kambites]

The Gallardo was released first by some margin. I don't know whether the platform was designed with both cars in mind from the start, or designed solely for the Gallardo and then modified for the R8.

I think they are related in much the same way that say the Golf and A3 are related - same floor-pan and chassis hard-points; many shared minor components and obviously the same engine if we're talking about the V10 R8; but with everything set up/tuned slightly differently.

[ManOpener]

If I remember correctly, they only share something like 10% of components. The Gallardo pre-dated the R8 but I don't actually think there's enough there to say one is based on the other. I imagine that certain models of, say, Passat, share more components with an A8 than that.

[Dr G]

I suppose you could say the R8 is an evolution/adaptation/development (all at the same time) of the Gallardo. There are shared components and chassis know-how although the design briefs are quite different. Both cars utilise a lot of Audi gear for the boring bits but Audi are rather good at boring bits so there was no sense in starting from scratch.

Gallardo is a usable mentalist, R8 is usable sports car with a mental streak.

[98elise]

Just because they share some components one is not based on the other, otherwise a Lotus Elise is an MGF (or many other cars for that matter!).

They would need to be fundamentally the same car under the skin (like many other platform share cars)

[kambites]

98elise said:

Just because they share some components one is not based on the other, otherwise a Lotus Elise is an MGF (or many other cars for that matter!).

From my understanding of the cars, the Elise and VX220 is probably a closer comparison.

[Streetrod]

The R8 and the Gallardo share a great many components, a lot more than most people think. If you spend any time under either car things will become obvious. Check out these two pics from the back of an R8





The dual Audi/Lambo badge appears on most of the major components. They also share near identical parts numbers with only one digit to distinguish between each car, the big issue is that the Lambo part will cost you about 30% more than the Audi part even though they are identical

[well'Rd]

Despite the similarities, If I had the wherewithal to buy a used R8, I reckon I'd be trying to find the extra poppy that got me into a Gallardo. A nice, but unlikely, dilemma.

[98elise]

kambites said:

From my understanding of the cars, the Elise and VX220 is probably a closer comparison.

Possibly, but the vx is very much an evolution from the elise S1, and it then fed back into later elise versions. The Audi seems too far removed to be based on Lambo.

[Streetrod]

98elise said:

kambites said:

From my understanding of the cars, the Elise and VX220 is probably a closer comparison.

Possibly, but the vx is very much an evolution from the elise S1, and it then fed back into later elise versions. The Audi seems too far removed to be based on Lambo.

Did you not see the pics above? The V10 engine is the same in both cars as are the gearbox and all the major suspension components and drive line parts. The cars also share things like the wiring looms and electrical components plus all hard points. The cars car virtually the same. Where they differ is the obvious body, interior and suspension and engine tune.
VAG had to distinguish the two brands by giving the giving the R8 a lower state of tune and less hard nosed suspension set up

[F1GTRUeno]

Gallardo preceded the R8 though the Le Mans concept that basically became the R8 was released the year before the Gallardo so you could argue R8 came first.

[e39darren]

What ???? you mean audi use someone elses floorpan and bits ???? Im shocked !
( incase you cant tell i was being sarcastic lol )

[Ballistic]

I remember reading somewhere that the same design team worked on both cars, so a similar concept in different clothes.

So as not to detract from Gallardo sales, the R8 v10 is restricted to 75% throtle opening which can easily be rectified with a re-map.

[veevee]

AdvocatusD said:

I know they're closely related, but which was the chicken and which was the egg?

My guess is they are different cars and the R8 just has an engine based on the Gallardo?

Reference sources would be great as this is meant to settle a pub argument.

Gallardo released 2003.

R8 released 2006.

Argument over.

[redvictor]

well'Rd said:

Despite the similarities, If I had the wherewithal to buy a used R8, I reckon I'd be trying to find the extra poppy that got me into a Gallardo. A nice, but unlikely, dilemma.

Don't.... I'm very unimpressed with the Gallardo. More akin to a old Volvo 340.
Build quality leaves something to be desired too...

[LongLiveTazio]

e39darren said:

What ???? you mean audi use someone elses floorpan and bits ???? Im shocked !
( incase you cant tell i was being sarcastic lol )

Think you'll find Audi designed the Gallardo. Head of design was Luc Donckerwolke.

[B10]

LongLiveTazio said:

e39darren said:

What ???? you mean audi use someone elses floorpan and bits ???? Im shocked !
( incase you cant tell i was being sarcastic lol )

Think you'll find Audi designed the Gallardo. Head of design was Luc Donckerwolke.

Luc Donckerwolke was in charge of styling (design as it is confusingly called) not engineering (floorpan, engines etc.).

[Lord_Howit_Hertz]

veevee said:

AdvocatusD said:

I know they're closely related, but which was the chicken and which was the egg?

My guess is they are different cars and the R8 just has an engine based on the Gallardo?

Reference sources would be great as this is meant to settle a pub argument.

Gallardo released 2003.

R8 released 2006.

Argument over.

Hmmm not quite, as some one has mentioned above, the Audi Le Mans concept was presented to the public in 2002. So there for you could argue, that came first.

[LongLiveTazio]

[redacted]

[k-ink]

I wouldn't be suprised if Audi designed and manufactured every single nut and bolt of the Gallardo. Perhaps even down to the body styling. I presume only the final assembly is carried out in Italy, simply to keep the enthusiasts / Italian population happy. To my mind the Lambo IS Audi. That is not meant as an insult. It is simply how I see it. I am sure 99% of blokes would feel the same.