Vs 2008 Audi R8 vs. 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera S

[Centurion]

Car and Driver: 2008 Audi R8 vs. 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera S


"THE VERDICT
The Audi R8 is a unique realization of the carmaker’s art, with everything you’d expect in a 21st-century sports car. The Audi raises the bar in refinement, all-season practicality, and accessible performance. The 911, on the other hand, is an old brute groomed and tamed to a surprising level of sophistication. At least in this informal duel, the R8 appears to be the better sports car."

 

[Osnabrueck]

Hot damn, thanks for posting that Lu. Looks like the R8 is alot more than just show-car bluster.

Good going Audi! You've converted this skeptic.

 

[Mr Robert]

When AMS compared these two cars their verdict was something in the same way. R8 is the refined, good looking and quite fast alternative but lacking in steering sharpness and nerve. It is also described as one of the most comfortable Audis when the suspension is set to normal. They describe it as a bit soft and "Lexusified". The Porsche on the other hand is old looking and more like some retro-joke but in the same time really sharp when it comes to communication with the driver- considerably better than its adversary. Porsches interior feels rather basic compared to Audis. AMS thinks the performance of the two cars are similar.

 

[Mr. M]

The R8 has been winning all these recent comparos against the 911...

I still can't live with either a manual or R-tronic - I'd still want an auto, and that's 997 Turbo for me. When the R8 S-tronic comes, give me a ring...

 

[Imhotep Evil]

The R8 should have beed compared to the 9974S, IMO.
Still the Audi would have won, more power and mid-engined.

 

[martinbo]

I like Porsches - a lot. I like 911's the most because of what they look like and what they've come to represent from an engineering approach.

Cars like the R8 are fine and welcome (I'm quite outspoken about not being a fan) but I hope and pray - like other Porschephiles out there - that the emergence of such competition doesn't force Porsche to go and do something rash like re-inventing the 911 to be a mid-engined V8 or something like that.

Timelessness does not have be to mutually exclusive with cutting edge technology and progress. The new 911 GT3 and Turbos prove this in their own right.

Long live the 911, may its maker continue to ever refine the recipe, but please don't change the ingredients.

Rant over...

 

[Centurion]

The R8 has been winning all these recent comparos against the 911...

I not sure I would call it winning. The R8 isn't the first car that offers refinement becasue it's cousine, the Gallardo does it too. You don't buy the 911 for balance and control. I would say both cars are great but in their own way.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Long live the 911, may its maker continue to ever refine the recipe, but please don't change the ingredients.

Rant over...

Agreed, let the Uber-Bettle evolution continue, no need for a revolution.

 

[wltsm]

Surely these cars are in different pricing brackets??

Anyway, I'd still choose the 911 I think!

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

They actually didn't test these cars together head to head when I read the magazine.

 

[Mr. M]

I not sure I would call it winning. The R8 isn't the first car that offers refinement becasue it's cousine, the Gallardo does it too. You don't buy the 911 for balance and control. I would say both cars are great but in their own way.

Yeah I get what you mean, it's a little unfair to the 911 in that respect.