The first test: Audi R8 vs. Ferrari F430

[Erik]

From the German AMS.






[LEFT]Audi R8 vs. Ferrari F430[/LEFT]

[LEFT]specs:[/LEFT]

[LEFT]4.2-litres V8 vs. 4.4-litres V8
420 PS @ 7,800 rpm vs. 490 PS @ 8,500 rpm
430 NM @ 4,500 rpm vs. 465 NM @ 5,250 rpm[/LEFT]

[LEFT]length x width x height: 4421 x 1904 x 1252 vs. 4512 x 1923 x 1214 mm
wheelbase: 2650 vs. 2600 mm[/LEFT]

[LEFT]AWD, 6-speed manual vs. RWD, 6-speed manual[/LEFT]

[LEFT]0-100km/h: 4.6 vs. 3.9 secs.[/LEFT]

[LEFT]Vmax: 301 vs. 316 km/h[/LEFT]

[LEFT]MSRP: 104,400 vs. 149,700 EUR [/LEFT]

[LEFT]Round by round:[/LEFT]

[LEFT]Round 1: Heritage[/LEFT]

[LEFT]Ferrari:
14 F1 constructor´s titles, 14 F1 Driver´s championships, 192 F1 victories, the successors: the 360, 355 GTS, 348 tb[/LEFT]

[LEFT]Audi:
five 24 hrs du Mans victories, the successors: Audi quattro, Audi Avus concept[/LEFT]


[LEFT]Round 2: Design[/LEFT]

[LEFT]Pininfarina vs. Walter da Silva[/LEFT]


[LEFT]Round 3: Technology[/LEFT]

[LEFT]Audi alu space frame, chassis based on the Lamborghini Gallardo vs. Ferrari alu bodywork
1560 kg vs. 1460 kg
AWD vs. RWD
6-speed manual vs. 6-speed manual with launch control[/LEFT]


[LEFT]Round 4: Performance[/LEFT]

[LEFT]Ferrari: better acceleration, higher top speed
Audi: more traction and grip, better handling[/LEFT]

[RXBG]

though it sounds to me like this was mainly a driving, seat-of-the-pants comparo test (audi probably asked the mag not to do their own instrumented timing since those are all official manufacturer data- car was probably a zero-series car) the audi won.

in this class of car- handling is the crucial. regardless of numbers. if the R8 felt like it handled better it owned the F430!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! handles better than an F430? who cares about the numbers....

and at at almost half the price. can you imagine the V10? no wonder porsche wants to buy VW asap................:eye:

[Ruergard]

Better handling than A F430... really really hope that's true. If it is.... now we're really talking!

[Pit]

The AMS isn't Audi-friendly.....

so the result is more than interessant...

[Leadfoot]

To the best of my knowledge, no test has ever given the Gallardo that claim, so do this spell the end of the Gallardo.

I just thought of something, the last time an M6 won a handling comparison with another vehicle was not with a F430 but a Milk Float.

Sorry about that wee joke, all you M6 owners out there.

[m3fan]

Would the R8 tested faster with the R-Tronic versus the 6 speed?

[sticky]

A purely subjective test with no numbers? Well, at least it is something but I want to see the real world numbers on the car not the ones audi gave.

[Toto89]

R8 is a great car it is sure, but don't forget a German mag could be one-sided in a test in which a german car is against an italian(or anything else...)This is the case with any other nations of course.

[quattro Gmbh]

i've read the entire text nothing is mentioned about traction or handling.

it says it was forbidden to drive the r8 lol. testing is forbidden till next year.

[chewym]

So was there a winner?

[Subzero]

if they did not drive the r8 how do they know it handles better?

in any case the r8 rules

[AndyBG]

Am I dreaming, Audi vs. Ferrari, GREAT !

[KresoF1]

First, mid page from AMS article is missing... Second, this is just average quality writing from AMS.
Any way, It is a long waiting time for me till April 2007...