Sportauto: Audi R8 vs. Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

[Ruergard]

The Audi R8 jumps into the world of sports cars like a bomb, a car not just for a Concours d´Elegance but also for the track with outstandig driving dynamics, a new entry the others have to look after, but also a perfect daily drive.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera raises the standard for all sports cars, best performance in all disciplines but not as good as a daily drive as the R8, a bit more extreme and much more expensive.




R8 / Superleggra

Tires: Pirelli P Zero corsa (semi-R-tires, both cars)

0-100km/h: 4.7 / 4.0 sec
0-160km/h: 10,5 / 8,9 sec
0-200km/h: 16,2 / 13,6 sec

Slalom: 68,6 / 70,7 km/h
Hockenheim: 1.12,7 / 1.10,9 min

Both scores a 9/10 in how fun they are to drive.


Once again the R8 does well, very well!

[PeterJohn]

thanks for the article

[KresoF1]

I just re-read complete article again... R8 is IMHO the best allround sportscar on the market-period!

Few extra infos-R8 is manual. R-Tronic is a tad slower on the track-this info is accurate!
Also R8 used in the article(and for Supertest-next issue!) is with normal suspension-not Magnetic Ride!! Why? Standard chassis is the SPORTY one! R8 with Magnetic Ride is little bit slower on the track-again accurate info!
Ceramic brakes(8820 Euro in Germany with Mwst) are amazing and they are a MUST. Bucket seats(in test car as well) saves you around 15kg's... Also a must IMHO.

So, if you want the most sporty allaround sportscar order your R8 in this specs(like mine!):

Manual
Standard suspension
19"(you can add Corsa's as well)
Ceramic Brakes
Bucket seats(in full leather)

Just a clue for Supertest-as fast as F430 or 997 Turbo on the Ring... Faster in wet then most other sportscars...

Gallardo SL... The best car in its class IMHO. Even F430 LP will not ba able to touch him! Why? Some spies measured some sector times on the Ring.

BTW, in this issue they also tested Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster with Sportshift... Car is slow-on the road and on the track. Also manual is far better choice then undeveloped Sportsshift...

[Leadfoot]

From what I have read regarding MagneticRide suspension over standard is that on a smooth race track like you say the standard suspension is the best composed and the quicker but on everything else the MagneticRide is better, on the road or on tracks which are lets say are not up to the best surface wise.

I still feel unless your intentions are to trackday a lot, pick the trick suspension and everything else is up for debate.

[RXBG]

those are terrible times for the R8. barely faster than a fast S4 and no faster than an RS4. when i see results like those i can't believe anything else i read. sorry.

[artur777]

From what I have read regarding MagneticRide suspension over standard is that on a smooth race track like you say the standard suspension is the best composed and the quicker but on everything else the MagneticRide is better, on the road or on tracks which are lets say are not up to the best surface wise.

I still feel unless your intentions are to trackday a lot, pick the trick suspension and everything else is up for debate.

Agree with you.
Your position is reasonable.
And for R-tronic VS manual: R-tronic is preferrable if you have your car in an everyday use. People are getiting tired to shift the stick all the time round. Sometimes it's tricky, but sometimes it bothers.

[Leadfoot]

Just a clue for Supertest-as fast as F430 or 997 Turbo on the Ring... Faster in wet then most other sportscars.

I was reckoning on a similar time as well.

http://www.rs6.com/forum/showpost.ph...34&postcount=8

[KresoF1]

From what I have read regarding MagneticRide suspension over standard is that on a smooth race track like you say the standard suspension is the best composed and the quicker but on everything else the MagneticRide is better, on the road or on tracks which are lets say are not up to the best surface wise.

I still feel unless your intentions are to trackday a lot, pick the trick suspension and everything else is up for debate.

Well, your theory is JUST theory.
Audi sended R8 with the most sporty setup(Manual, Ceramic Brakes, Corsa tires, Bucket seats) to Sport Auto. The same car is used for Supertest(next issue of Sport Auto) which features Nordschleife track time. Nordschliefe is far form smooth and flat as possible IMHO...
Audi R8 that is used in this Supertest has STANDARD suspension, not Magnetic Ride.

So, is your theory about Magnetic Ride correct?
Think again since even new TT is faster on any track with Sport suspension then with Magnetic Ride.

[RXBG]

Agree with you.
Your position is reasonable.
And for R-tronic VS manual: R-tronic is preferrable if you have your car in an everyday use. People are getiting tired to shift the stick all the time round. Sometimes it's tricky, but sometimes it bothers.

r-tronic was designed for aggressive drivnig not for around town convenience. some think convenience was the point of the gallardo auto-manual gearbox but it is hated by all of own it. only good for tracking. very rough. from what i have read the r-tronic is slightly more civilized but still not a comfort choice for commuting. those who buy it for that reason will be disappointed. like most cars in this class the gearbox options are everything short of commuting/convenience focused. the most likely to be best overall is the gated shifter, only in extreme bumper to bumper traffic would it suck.

btw- read the bimmer forums to see how unhappy M5 ownders are with the uato-manual.

if you expect to HAVE to drive every day in heavy traffic two hrs each way then you'd be forced to get the r-tronic in exchange for your knee cartilage and rough shifting.

tiff said himself one should save the 8K.

[KresoF1]

those are terrible times for the R8. barely faster than a fast S4 and no faster than an RS4. when i see results like those i can't believe anything else i read. sorry.

I need to ask this-what's wrong with you?

RS4 Supertest in Sport Auto 6/2006

0-100km/h: 4.7s
0-200km/h:16.9s

Hockenheim: 1.15,4min
Nordschleife: 8.09min

And this RS4 was with 10000km on clock(full run-in engine) and R8 was with only around 3000km on clock...

Yes, R8 is only little bit faster then RS4 in straight line till 200km/h after that R8 is faster(difference in 0-250km/h between R8 and RS4 is more then 4s...).

R8 is as fast as F430 on Hockenheim and you are not pleased with the resluts?!

What did you expect? R8 has only 420hp and probably the best suspension of all sportscars on the market currently.

Need a straight line monster? Buy 997 Turbo!

Sorry but, I did not expect this kind a comment form you...

[RXBG]

where is the hockenheim F430 time? where is the 0-250 of both cars? remember i am comparing the RS4 to the R8, this lessens its overachievance and focuses more on- underachievement based upon how much lighter it is than the R8. further, remember who i am: the ultimate R8 lover baby......

also- R&T got 4.0 flat to 60. 12.7 1/4 and 15.3 to 120 mph. why such variability? and don't tell me road, humidity, etc...

[KresoF1]

F430F1 1.12,7min Sport Auto 01/2006
Also equiped with Corsa tires...

I understand your point but, do not agree with you.

Also I do not trust in any measurement done by USA car mags...

[Leadfoot]

Well, your theory is JUST theory.
Audi sended R8 with the most sporty setup(Manual, Ceramic Brakes, Corsa tires, Bucket seats) to Sport Auto. The same car is used for Supertest(next issue of Sport Auto) which features Nordschleife track time. Nordschliefe is far form smooth and flat as possible IMHO...
Audi R8 that is used in this Supertest has STANDARD suspension, not Magnetic Ride.

So, is your theory about Magnetic Ride correct?
Think again since even new TT is faster on any track with Sport suspension then with Magnetic Ride.

My opinions are not just theory but experiences. I have driven both TTs with and without MagneticRide back to back admittedly on the road and found the one with MagneticRide more settled and connected to the road surface, yes it was also smoother to ride in but it's settled ride give confidence to push harder. This might not be the case in reality and the standard sport suspension might indeed be better but based on my own experience I would prefer to push the one fitted with MagneticRide.

I still believe as an overall package the MagneticRide car will be the better car to own unless your intention is to trackday a lot.

KresoF1, have you sampled MagneticRide as yet because if not I feel you will be more than impressive with the way the car rides and would give up the little advantage if any that the standard suspension may have for it's better overall balance.

[KresoF1]

Leadie,

I have tired R8 with both standard suspension and Magnetic Ride. My opinion? Magnetic Ride is little bit too soft in normal mode and little bit too stiff in Sport mode-feeling is similar to Porsche PASM system... Standard suspension is just right for me.

Regarding TT-there are THREE suspensions for it! Standard(little bit on softer side), Magnetic Ride and Sport Suspension.

Again IMHO Sport suspension is the best option for spirited sport driver. Magnetic Ride is a compromise... But, the best compromise for most drivers.

According to Audi insider standard suspension on R8 is better for all tracks then Magnetic Ride. Specially for demanding and not-flat-at -all Nordschleife. So, this speakes against your theory very much...

[Leadfoot]

KresoF1,

It was never an argument mate, just a difference of opinion, like I say I could only speak for the TT and found it better suited to road use than either the standard or sport suspension set-ups. If you prefer the set-up of standard suspension on the R8 that is great and never was I trying to put you off it, as I said maybe the MagneticRide isn't as quick compared to the standard but I felt it was most likely the best compromise all things considered.

I totally agree that manual is the way to go over the R-Tronic, the fact you are getting a Ferrari style shifter gate is enough to sway me but that it's so nice to use seals it.

I do get the feeling that you intend to take your R8 on to the track quite a lot so ceramic brakes are a must as will the bucket seat. I hope when your car arrives it's everything you hoped for.

[KresoF1]

Leadie,

Thanks! We both are Audi fans so, little bit difference in opinion is actually good thing IMHO...

[chewym]

those are terrible times for the R8. barely faster than a fast S4 and no faster than an RS4. when i see results like those i can't believe anything else i read. sorry.

Europeans don't have drag strips. Plus it is to 62 miles per hour. 4 seconds has been achieved in America.

[KK265]

And this RS4 was with 10000km on clock(full run-in engine) and R8 was with only around 3000km on clock...

Yes, R8 is only little bit faster then RS4 in straight line till 200km/h after that R8 is faster(difference in 0-250km/h between R8 and RS4 is more then 4s...).


Need a straight line monster? Buy 997 Turbo!

Sorry but, I did not expect this kind a comment form you...[/QUOTE]




How do you know please about 4s??
I do not like the fact that R8 can not pass an 996 turbo (420 PS) bone stock everywhere ( straight,corners etc) 7 years after the launch of 996 turbo........They are same philoshophy cars i think.It is unacceptable for me also!