R8 Road & Track tests a Euro-spec R8

[PC Valkyrie]

The tested R8 had the paddle shifter with launch control.

0-60mph (s): 4.3
0-100mph (s): 10.5
0-120mph (s): 15.3

1/4 mile (s@mph): 12.7 @ 111

braking 60-0mph (ft): 115
braking 80-0mph (ft): 204

skidpad (g): 0.97
slalom (mph): 70.2

Full article and data panel can be found on the Road & Track website.

 

[Zafiro]

any figures to compare with RS4? (same carmag if possible)

 

[Matt]

According to R&T the RS4's numbers are:

0-60mph: 4.3 s
0-100mph: 10.7
1/4 mile: 12.8 @ 109.7 mph

handling:
skid pad: .88 g
slalom: 68.9 mph


Braking:
60-0 mph: 121 ft
80-0mph:212

 

[Zafiro]

very close up to 100mph, too bad there werent any 0-120mph numbers for RS4.

 

[Matt]

for comparison,
R&T's M5 numbers:
0-60: 4.1
0-100: 9.5
1/4 mile: 12.4 @ 115.8

braking:
60-0: 120 ft
80-0: 207 ft

Handling:
skidpad: .87g
slalom: 68.9 mph

R&T's M roadster numbers:
0-60: 4.7
0-100: 11.5
1/4 mile: 13.2 @ 107.9

braking:
60-0: 115 ft
80-0: 208 ft

Handling:
skidpad: .89g
slalom: 68.7 mph

 

[Matt]

very close up to 100mph, too bad there werent any 0-120mph numbers for RS4.

There are but only in the mag with teh actual article-not in the road test summary which is what i have been using.

 

[Zafiro]

Im looking forward for a "real" engine, an engine worthy a supercar.

 

[vabboud]

WOW the R8 is only marginally better than teh RS4, this si frickin bad
either teh RS4 is THAT good, which i doubt, (it is great but not a ona supercar level) or teh R8 which is nto good enough (which is the case)

 

[Matt]

Well logically why would the R8 be much faster- how much lighter is the R8 than the RS4? They both have the same power-plant. Really, to justify why someone would by an R8 over an RS4 would have to because of A. appearence and B. track days-otherwise go with the sedan.

 

[PC Valkyrie]

I have the issue where Road & Track tested the RS4 against the 911 4S. Take note that the acceleration numbers they got for the RS4 are the FASTEST I have seen, considerably faster than the other major American car mags (Car & Driver and Motortrend).

Here are the numbers, including 0-120mph. I've included the R8 numbers again for comparison.

RS4/911 4S/R8

0-60mph (s): 4.3/4.1/4.3
0-100mph (s): 10.7/10.5/10.5
0-120mph (s): 15.3/14.8/15.3

1/4 mile (s@mph): 12.8@109.7/12.6@110.2/12.7@111

braking 60-0mph (ft): 121/109/115
braking 80-0mph (ft): 212/192/204

skidpad (g): 0.88/0.96/0.97
slalom (mph): 68.9/71.5/70.2

I don't really care about the R8 vs the RS4. What interests me is the R8 vs the 911 4S, which is a direct competitor.

 

[Matt]

^those numbers are different than the ones in the road test summary.

 

[RICHBOY]

Those numbers seem like a pretty good achievement with 420HP. I can't wait to see how the bigger engines fair.

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Here is my take on the test results.

My overall impression is that I'm not that impressed. Sure, the R8 performance numbers are superb, compared to a E46 M3 type of sports car.

I've seen some people call the R8 the potential "supercar" from Audi. These performance numbers are not anywhere close to what I consider "supercar" territory.

We also keep hearing that the R8 is supposed to go up against the Porsche 911. Well, the 911 4S still is a bit faster to 60mph and to 120mph than the R8, and with much less HP (355HP). They have very close skidpad numbers, but the 911 4S still has a faster slalom speed. The Porsche clearly wins in the braking department.

In Canada, the Porsche 911 4S sells for $122800, while the R8 is estimated to cost about $140000.

So where does the R8 shine relative to the Porsche? Unless the R8 can demolish the 911 on the Nuburgring or Hockenheim, the R8 doesn't shine at all, IMO. Can't wait for the Sport Auto Supertest of the R8 to make a final call here....