How would you categorize the R8?

[Moggy]

I got asked a very interesting question today that got me thinking.

"Compared to other high end sports cars, how would you categorize the R8?"

I wasn't being asked how I rated the car (which is, of course, 10 (or maybe 9.7) out of 10) but where in the sport car line up I thought it stood.

After some thought, I placed our cars along with high end Porsches or, maybe, AMG Mercs. As I third thought I said it could be considered a low-end Lambo.

So where would YOU put the R8?

[Fashion Cat]

For the V8: a very suped up Cayman S or a fashionable Carrera S or a very slight tick below an "AWD Vantage" (prestige wise but I mean seriously here) if you an imagine such an animal in both performance and prestige.

For the V10: On the ranks of the F430 or sub-Gallardos.

Somewhat of the answer you are looking for? I've sat shot gun in the V10, not yet in the V8 - I hope to have a go this saturday - would make for a very nice birthday present.

[Newspyderv10man]

I would say the V10 is an exotic.

Its up there with the Lambo and F car IMO.

It is more reliable and comes with a great warranty and its German!!

[NR8]

"Compared to other high end sports cars, how would you categorize the R8?"

I wasn't being asked how I rated the car (which is, of course, 10 (or maybe 9.7) out of 10) but where in the sport car line up I thought it stood.

After some thought, I placed our cars along with high end Porsches or, maybe, AMG Mercs. As I third thought I said it could be considered a low-end Lambo.

So where would YOU put the R8?

The question you got considers the wrong category imo: Audi has branded the R8 as a sports car but it's not. It's a mid-engine race car by heart and layout - so you cannot compare it to Aston, Porsche etc. And it does not matter whether it is an V8 or V10. I went to track with Audi in an event called "race experience" and I did similar stuff with Porsche in my Porsche Turbo. Although the Turbo has a lot more power than the V8 the Turbo is a sports car, not a race car.

So you got to compare to Lambo and Ferrari at first thought, not AMG, AM, Porsche and the rest of the sedan-like sports cars.

[randombloke]

I agree with your answer moggy - I don't think the r8 is up there with ferrari's or lambo's. The audi badge, cost and performance all keep it from that territory.

I would also peg it in the same bracket as porsche, amg mercs and aston martin - but it does have elements that warrant the "low-end lambo" badge.

[mark25]

To me the R8 is a supercar fullstop but without the supercar running costs. You still get the power (even with the V8), attention, drama etc that comes with owning a lambo or ferrari. But is it as exotic as a ferrari or lamborghini? I think not but that doesnt mean its not an amazing car. The R8 is the first supercar I have owned and I think it was the right choice due to the bargain basement running costs (even for high mile usage). Would I put £100,000 into an R8? No chance, but used V8s to me are still the best bargain for your buck!

[8rr8]

R8 just by the apperance is a state of art, FAR one of the BEST LOOKING CAR ON THE PLANET

In term of performance, would consider as entry level of exotic sports car, because R8 focus on the everyday drivibility safety and handleing rather than raw performance.

[randombloke]

a rising tide lifts all ships - there are just too many cars out there that with the power/performance of the v8 to call it a supercar imo.

nobody is going to call an e92 m3 a supercar but that has equal power to the v8 r8.

even the v10 is down on power/performance compared to the big boys that carry that tag.

[gazza1]

I would probably not call a R8 a "Supercar" but it certainly does have some of those vital ingredients.

Its a cut above a Porsche/Merc or Aston due to its shape which seems to provide a bigger aura on the street.

I would classify a R8 simply as a High Performance Sports Coupe or Spyder with some more Supercar ingredients than others.

I still see a Lambo as the TRUE Supercar badge wearer regardless of what its speed or performance is ..because it evokes a reaction of "Supercar"

I think maybe Ferrari has lost a little of that over the years...

[shazam]

Some brand victims in our midst here. If it accelerates, handles, brakes and has a top speed like a supercar, then it is a duck.

The v8 was a brave experiment that really paid off. The v10 is the first generation refining that first car. It's definitely in the same territory as Gallardos, 458s etc, especially considering an extra 30+ bhp is available from a tune. Only thing holding it back is the gearbox, which is about to be fixed.