Audi R8 Spyder

RSClio · 30 Jan 2011 at 01:13

Joshy said:
An interior feel/vibe is not something you can accurately judge by looking at pictures on the internet (even then your chosen picture hardly makes the interior seem fantastic)

Get in a Bentley Mulssane or Rolls Royce Phantom and there is no denying that you've got into a very, very special car. Get into an Audi R8 and there is no denying that you've just got into an Audi. As far as I am concerned that just isn't acceptable for a car easily into the six figures bracket.

It's why a Flying Spur feels special and a A8 in compassion feels like an overgrown minicab despite them sharing a lot of components. The difference is that the A8 feels like an Audi and the Bentley feels special.

WUT? You comparing a supercar to a Bently? Right ok makes sense? :confused:

And FYI I visit Leeds Audi quite a bit and yep you guessed it they have various R8's and I have so happened to see feel and touch one, shock horror.

Joshy · 30 Jan 2011 at 02:10

RSClio said:
WUT? You comparing a supercar to a Bently? Right ok makes sense?

Please stop trying to read things at absolute face value.

I am not comparing a Bentley to R8. What I am trying to do is explain the stark difference between an interior that does feel like it belongs in a six figure car and one that does not. In my quite honest opinion the R8 interior does not feel 'special'. It is dull, uninspiring and I swear to god that it has the same general feel/vibe found in every Audi I've ever experineced, starting from my father's old Audi 80. Then you've got to consider that the interior of a modern Bentley is a work of art with aches of wood and hand stitched leather. Then you've got to consider that the price difference between a V10 R8 Spyder and a GTC isn't exactly massive and maybe then you can see where I'm coming from when I say the R8 is a bit boring, especially for the money? (And no, I am not implying that a GTC and a R8 Spyder are direct competitors so leave that bone alone.)

This 'well built but a little bit boring' and Audi 'Feel' is a perhaps a big draw for people leasing A3s and A4s as well built and familiar is far from a bad thing in a diesel saloon car but it is something not something that I'd expect when dropping £120k+ on a supercar.

Kingy · 30 Jan 2011 at 09:02

HNNNNNNNNGGGGG!

daz · 30 Jan 2011 at 10:04

Joshy said:
What I am trying to do is explain the stark difference between an interior that does feel like it belongs in a six figure car and one that does not.

The main issue is that you're comparing a mass produced 'super' car to an ultra luxury brand. Just the same as if you compared a 911's interior to a Bentley or a Rolls.

Vonhelmet · 30 Jan 2011 at 10:07

daz said:
The main issue is that you're comparing a mass produced 'super' car to an ultra luxury brand. Just the same as if you compared a 911's interior to a Bentley or a Rolls.

Or, say, a Nissan GT-R to a Ferrari GT car...

Joshy · 30 Jan 2011 at 11:14

daz said:
The main issue is that you're comparing a mass produced 'super' car to an ultra luxury brand. Just the same as if you compared a 911's interior to a Bentley or a Rolls.

But as I've mentioned, the price difference isn't exactly huge between a Bentley Continental GT convertible and an Audi R8 V10 Spyder, so that angle doesn't fly with me. Like I said, I'm not implying that the two car direct competitors, but if Bentley can make a 'special' feeling interior for a similar amount of dough, why can't Audi? I've not experineced a 911 interior so I can't really comment

.

Heck, the R8 doesn't HAVE to have an utterly amazing interior, but it'd just be nice if it did not have that unmistakeable 'audi' feel to everything.

Vonhelmet · 30 Jan 2011 at 11:37

Joshy said:
But as I've mentioned, the price difference isn't exactly huge between a Bentley Continental GT convertible and an Audi R8 V10 Spyder, so that angle doesn't fly with me.

What's the performance like between those two? I'd hazard that the Audi will accelerate faster and handle better... So you're still comparing performance versus grand touring.

Shimmy · 30 Jan 2011 at 11:40

Think you've gone about your point the wrong way Joshy.

The R8 interior is comparable with its rivals interiors and there is no need for the level of luxury in a Bentley. Where you do have a point is that it is not much different from a £20k Audi and should perhaps be distinguished a little from the rest of the range.

Westyfield2 · 30 Jan 2011 at 12:53

Don't really get all the R8 hate here.... I love them! :cool:

RSClio · 30 Jan 2011 at 12:59

Joshy said:
But as I've mentioned, the price difference isn't exactly huge between a Bentley Continental GT convertible and an Audi R8 V10 Spyder, so that angle doesn't fly with me. Like I said, I'm not implying that the two car direct competitors, but if Bentley can make a 'special' feeling interior for a similar amount of dough, why can't Audi? I've not experineced a 911 interior so I can't really comment .

Heck, the R8 doesn't HAVE to have an utterly amazing interior, but it'd just be nice if it did not have that unmistakeable 'audi' feel to everything.

But it is an Audi? A Bently is a Bently and a BMW is well a BMW. I am not sure what you are getting at here?

An R8 is a mass produced 'supercar' and one is a gentlemans luxury waft mobile. Apples and oranges spring to mind.

Housey · 30 Jan 2011 at 14:47

I've driven a few of these in V8 version now and they are a good car but every time I get out I walk away feeling like something is missing which I can't put my finger on. They are not that quick, certainly not as quick as the looks suggest they should be, if that makes sense and I think they just miss the mark.

RSClio · 30 Jan 2011 at 14:48

Housey said:
I've driven a few of these in V8 version now and they are a good car but every time I get out I walk away feeling like something is missing which I can't put my finger on. They are not that quick, certainly not as quick as the looks suggest they should be, if that makes sense and I think they just miss the mark.

But the V10 that they use in the Gallardo, must improve this somewhat?

Housey · 30 Jan 2011 at 14:50

RSClio said:
But the V10 that they use in the Gallardo, must improve this somewhat?

I would imagine so yes.

RSClio · 30 Jan 2011 at 14:53

Housey said:
I would imagine so yes.

Gahhhh I need to move up the ladder and try some serious metal. Having beeing on a few 'supercar experiances' I need a V10/V12 Lamborghini in my life!!

Or any other similar powerd motors.

Will have to make do with a cheap French box for now.

Will · 30 Jan 2011 at 14:58

Joshy said:
Heck, the R8 doesn't HAVE to have an utterly amazing interior, but it'd just be nice if it did not have that unmistakeable 'audi' feel to everything.

I think its somewhat deliberate myself

- I feel the R8 was designed to give a halo effect over the rest of the Audi range, essentially a car built with one eye on the marketing and brand image influence, equally as much as it was intended to be brilliant drivers car in its own right to compete with Ferrari and Porsche.

It exists to boost the image of Audi (which has always been considered somewhat staid anyway compared to BMW despite the history of the Quattro in rallying, endless touring car success and so forth). To deviate too far away from the design language of the rest of the Audi range would diminish this effect.

mjt · 30 Jan 2011 at 15:14

andi said:
haha, just managed to add £24,165.00 in options onto an A4 Allroad. That's £61k on an A4!!

Options are expensive.
There's a 535d M Sport in the show room of my local BMW dealer up for £70,000 and it's missing things like electric boot closing and radar cruise..

daz · 30 Jan 2011 at 15:14

Will said:
I think its somewhat deliberate myself - I feel the R8 was designed to give a halo effect over the rest of the Audi range, essentially a car built with one eye on the marketing and brand image influence, equally as much as it was intended to be brilliant drivers car in its own right to compete with Ferrari and Porsche.

It exists to boost the image of Audi (which has always been considered somewhat staid anyway compared to BMW despite the history of the Quattro in rallying, endless touring car success and so forth). To deviate too far away from the design language of the rest of the Audi range would diminish this effect.

Can definitely see this now you mention it. It makes the 'TT' seem like a baby R8 rather than just a hairdressers car, which was the image of the previous gen TT.

Slogan · 30 Jan 2011 at 15:20

It does seem very much like they're pushing some sort of brand familiarity within the range, rightly or wrongly. The internals of an Audi aren't the most exciting in the world but those of the R8 are definitely not downright offensive like some supercars. I guess they sided with the very safe option in assumption that the majority of buyers won't particularly care.

cactusweasel · 30 Jan 2011 at 15:21

Hair-dresser!

Maccy · 30 Jan 2011 at 15:27

Fantastic looking car, although I would be swayed more by the coupe.