Audi, are you listening?

[SebringSilver]

Came across this interesting story/video on the BBC that explains how some sports car manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure that their product not only looks and performs great, but sounds great as well. We all know Ferrari does it, and this video shows how McLaren goes about doing it. I've heard the Lexus LF-A up close and it also benefits tremendously from the sound engineering work that Yamaha has put in.

Let's hope that Audi, in the process of creating the next R8 which as many here are certain will be in the form of a relatively small displacement, twin-turbocharged V8, goes through a similar process of sound engineering to ensure that the car is as pleasing to the ears as it will surely be to the eyes.

Check out the BBC story here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15701284

[Monkey boy UK]

Great Video and yes, Audi, are you listening ?

[SebringSilver]

The one thing that's been a bit of a disappointment with this car is the way it sounds from within the cabin. Whenever someone drives off with my car (at the service department, for example), I have to do a double take to see if that's really my car that's being taken away. It sounds better (though still not "supercar" enough) from the outside than it does from the inside.

It's almost like the opposite of the NSX. If any of you have had experience with Honda's sports car, that car sounded way better from inside than it did on the outside.

The thing that has me worried with Audi going to the forced-induction V8 on the next generation R8 is that it might end up sounding like a 911 Turbo, which is just terribly reminiscent of a really large vacuum cleaner.

I still to this moment don't see why I have to get an aftermarket exhaust to get the car to sound the way it should have straight out of the box.

[Baer]

Emissions or mileage engineering over sound quality?

[SebringSilver]

Emissions or mileage engineering over sound quality?

I understand where you're coming from, but while Audi has judged this car extremely well in terms of compromise generally, the fairly large number of R8 owners opting for an afternarket exhaust must be an indication that customers are demanding a more aggressive audio experience.

[timborama]

Hmmm, how about quality and reliability. Sound would be waaaay down on the list of things Audi should be addressing in the R8.

[soho]

Timborama, I've quietly read the evolution of your comments since the unfortunate incident with your order... but man, you really do hate the current R8. I'm not even sure where I should start guessing in regards to your comment about Audi build quality and reliability. Can it use some more power and advanced gadgetry? Sure. But quality and reliability?

[timborama]

Timborama, I've quietly read the evolution of your comments since the unfortunate incident with your order... but man, you really do hate the current R8. I'm not even sure where I should start guessing in regards to your comment about Audi build quality and reliability. Can it use some more power and advanced gadgetry? Sure. But quality and reliability?

Maybe the general population of this board doesn't constitute a statistical sampling, but I read lots of common issues and complaints, and even a few have lemoned theirs. Unfortunately I can only go by what I read here and elsewhere. Sorry if you're offended or dissagree.

Hopefully Audi does read these forums.

[SebringSilver]

I concede no car is perfect, not even the R8. But mine has been reliable and relatively problem free. I do think the car should have more power, and that the R-tronic should be smoother when just puttering around. Both of these issues apparently are being addressed in the 2nd-gen car, if you believe what's posted on these pages.

For me, all that's left to improve is the sound quality.

[yupp danners]

It's about product positioning.
They've gifted the R8 V10 with a Lambo engine. They need to differentiate the two cars to justify the large price point difference.
That's why the R8 is slightly detuned and the sound's deliberately muted next to the Lambo.