Audi R8 Spyder v Porsche 911 Turbo v Jaguar XKR v Ferrari California

[martinbo]

It still amazes me to think that at their first attempt they produced what was arguably one of the finest supercars in recent memory.

What amazes me even more is that actually the R8 totally slips under the radar as a... what for it, heresy on its way... crossover! But in reality the R8 neatly bridges the gap between sportscars and supercars. To look at, it's far more dramatic than a regular sports coupe, its midship layout and low, flat stance contribute to more visual appeal than a cooking Carrera 4. Its direct injection, high-revving V8 sits at the top of the sports car class.
And then you get the V10; it's a supercar but not in the Full Fat sense. You get excellent on-street performance with day-to-day liveability without the other hardcore concessions associated with supercars that need to destroy the 'Ring time. I think of it as 2% Low Fat supercar - much of the taste but better for your wellbeing allround. And, down here at least, it's fantastic value for money relative to its competitors. Armed with that sonorous V10 and a choice of top-up or top-down versatility the R8 V10 Spyder is easily the pick of the bunch and the one I'd have.

Will they ever repeat this feat again?

Maybe sooner than you think.

Heaven help us... looks like footie is Audi's version of SCOTT27!

By now it's old news that my only favorite Audi is the A5/S5. Well, that's not true - I forget about the R8

I can think of cars like the SLS AMG I'd rather have BUT the R8 is an absolute masterpiece in doing EVERYTHING 100%

Dude, I just saw my first SLS in Fourways today - had a chance to walk around it. WOW. Pictures just don't do it justice; it's floody babulous. But ja, you're right, the R8 - in particular the V10 - just does everything as best as it needs to be done. And I tell you... I couldn't choose between the two.

In this comparison however, the Ferrari California steals my hart.....

Eish, that California, seen a couple now. It's just not the prettiest thing on the roads really. Couple its heavy-arsed looks with a boulevard cruiser image and the California is one Ferrari that doesn't get me worked up like a 458 Italia or 599 does.

 

[Human]

Dude, I just saw my first SLS in Fourways today - had a chance to walk around it. WOW. Pictures just don't do it justice; it's floody babulous. But ja, you're right, the R8 - in particular the V10 - just does everything as best as it needs to be done. And I tell you... I couldn't choose between the two.

From the pics, vids etc alone I drooled over the SLS until i saw my first one here in Clarens with the Canonball Run...well that was when I wet myself

Eish, that California, seen a couple now. It's just not the prettiest thing on the roads really. Couple its heavy-arsed looks with a boulevard cruiser image and the California is one Ferrari that doesn't get me worked up like a 458 Italia or 599 does.

I believe you, since I have yet to see it IRL I maybe disappointed. The reason being is that IMO supercars has disappointed me in the photo/IRL way too many times before and the first car that comes to mind is the Maserati GT.

 

[footie]

What amazes me even more is that actually the R8 totally slips under the radar as a... what for it, heresy on its way... crossover! But in reality the R8 neatly bridges the gap between sportscars and supercars. To look at, it's far more dramatic than a regular sports coupe, its midship layout and low, flat stance contribute to more visual appeal than a cooking Carrera 4. Its direct injection, high-revving V8 sits at the top of the sports car class.
And then you get the V10; it's a supercar but not in the Full Fat sense. You get excellent on-street performance with day-to-day liveability without the other hardcore concessions associated with supercars that need to destroy the 'Ring time. I think of it as 2% Low Fat supercar - much of the taste but better for your wellbeing allround. And, down here at least, it's fantastic value for money relative to its competitors. Armed with that sonorous V10 and a choice of top-up or top-down versatility the R8 V10 Spyder is easily the pick of the bunch and the one I'd have.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

Heaven help us... looks like footie is Audi's version of SCOTT27!

Hardily, he's nowhere near as troublesome and he do have the full freedom to post everywhere and we know who to thank for that one.

Dude, I just saw my first SLS in Fourways today - had a chance to walk around it. WOW. Pictures just don't do it justice; it's floody babulous. But ja, you're right, the R8 - in particular the V10 - just does everything as best as it needs to be done. And I tell you... I couldn't choose between the two.

The SLS is definitely one of those cars which don't transfer from real life to photo, in a picture it looks kind of awkward from most angles but in the fresh it's really quite stunning, in a non sleek supercar way. But given the choice I think the R8's approachable limits would get my vote every time.