daveak05

the street race comparison is worthless. Where did I ever indicate otherwise?

I was describing the R8 as not being a real fast car with that engine. It's their top model, nothing prevented Audi from going for more on performance.

One point you seem to be hung up on is making direct comparisons between the RS4 and R8 power, trans, & numbers. They are different cars.

When a heavier 4 door RS4 can very nearly spank the 2 seat R8, that says something about the R8's level of performance, doesn't it?

El Thump

compare lap times under controlled conditions. there is a substantial gap. it is their top model, of course, and it will only improve with the stronger power plant.

and the reality is, none of us can drive anywhere near the limits of these cars, so it is kinda silly to armchair debate these things.

but i can tell you this...
while riding with an audi factory driver in a lead RS4 with R8s driven by mere mortals chasing (he had a walkie-talkie in one hand, was chatting with me and barely ever shifted and he was spanking everyone effortlessly), he said there is no comparison. he said the rs4 is a great sports sedan. but the R8 is so flat and balanced and composed that they can throw a ton more power at it and it will only shine even more. but even in current trim (V8) it is a whole level above the RS4 in terms of real performance in pro hands.

Bob W.

that's exactly what we all encounter on the street...different drivers, different conditions, etc. And that's where we all spend the vast majority of our time driving....on the street. So in a sense, that video is more about reality than any drag strip run.

El Thump

... beating each other, not the cars. right?

if you had identical robot drivers, the results would not be the same.

daveak05

and I know the R8 is a fine car and sweet on a track or race course.

I'm just saying(and have been all along) that I expected more power and speed from Audi's 2 seat GT car.

I don't know why they designed it with the engine they did, do you? I hope it wasn't simply a matter of what engine they had on hand and would fit, at the time. But, that's probably exactly what happened.

daveak05

so, I'm not sure what point you're making exactly. Forget about handling at the track, that's a whole different animal. If I came up against an R8 with a RS4, M3, 335i...STi, I'd know my chances would be good.

Bob W.

maybe one side of the road has better traction. maybe one car fueled up somewhere with contaminated fuel. different tires. clogged air filter. engine broken-in vs. brand new. etc, etc, etc. that's reality.

daveak05

you have an exotic 2 seat GT car with all these lesser automotive creatures breathing down its neck. Wait for the next one.

Besides, every one I've seen on the road is being driven like they're totally babying it...or the damn yuppies out here don't know how to drive the thing.

Bob W.

the Porsche 911 C4S...pretty much identical price (similarly equipped) and performance numbers.

daveak05

but how about a Z01 vette?...a ford GT? Or any other 2 seat GT cars out there you care to choose from.