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Two drop-tops. One a supercar institution and the other an upstart that's caused more than a few ripples in the supercar hierarchy. The Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet is the benchmark, the car by which rapid convertibles are measured. Long a car that's been ridiculously easy to enjoy, its pace stupendous, its grip never ending. And its reign undisputed. At least until Porsche's distant cousin Audi rolled out the R8, and specifically the R8 V10 Spyder. Porsche no longer has the £110,000, open-topped, four-wheel drive, loony performance marketplace to itself. And by the evidence of our car clash here, Audi has caught Porsche napping.
Showroom appeal
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the way the 911 Turbo Cabriolet looks. Until you park the Audi R8 Spyder alongside it. Do so and the 911's familiar, if more muscular and punctured, lines don't look quite so special. The Porsche demonstrates that with familiarly comes a degree of anonymity. The Turbo looks great, but it doesn't have us aching with desire. Blame all those same-silhouette Carrera 2 and 4s for robbing this big-money, big-power machine of some of its mojo.
That's the R8 effect, and it's particularly rampant when applied to the Spyder. We've always admired the R8, but never loved it. The Spyder is different. By losing its roof its desirability doubles, it looking and feeling so much more exotic. It makes the Porsche look positively austere, the detailing on the four-ringed machine so beautifully executed Audi could ask a good bit more money for it.
That's just on the outside. Get in and the Audi grenades the Porsche for showroom appeal. Every surface feels and looks like attention has been lavished on it, the 911 Turbo by comparison barely able to justify the £60,000 you'll pay for much the same interior in a standard Carrera. In this drop-top, forced-induction machine at twice the price it's just not good enough. The R8's interior drives that point home. And some.
Full Story: | Car Clash | Audi R8 V10 Spyder vs. Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet |
Stunning vehicles........
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