Audi R8
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AUDI AVUS PROTOTYPE 1991
U nveiled in 1991, the Audi Avus can be considered one of the most stunning concept vehicles in the automobile modern history. Its body made of polished aluminium pioneered the recent researches in light alloys technologies.
Unveiled at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, the Audi Avus concept was the the world’s first car with an entirely aluminium bodyshell.
It paved the way for production cars built by Audi with all aluminium space frames like the A8 and the A2.
The Avus concept was designed by Munich-based Advanced Design Studio under the direction of Martin Smith.
Named after a Berlin racetrack, the Avus featured unpainted polished aluminium body that recalled the racing heritage of the "Silver Arrows" Auto Unions of the 1930's.
According to Chief Designer Martin Smith, the polished aluminium body panels visually demonstrated how aluminum would play a significant role in the automobile construction.
In the Avus Concept the hand-beaten panels were mounted on a light alloy tubular chassis, in a way similar to the "Touring Superleggera" construction system.
The Avus was powered by a 6.0 liters W12 engine with three banks of four cylinders, which delivered 509 hp. The unit was coupled with Audi's quattro wheel drive system and a six speed gearbox.
Claimed performances were a top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph) and a 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) acceleration time of 3 seconds.
U nveiled in 1991, the Audi Avus can be considered one of the most stunning concept vehicles in the automobile modern history. Its body made of polished aluminium pioneered the recent researches in light alloys technologies.
Unveiled at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show, the Audi Avus concept was the the world’s first car with an entirely aluminium bodyshell.
It paved the way for production cars built by Audi with all aluminium space frames like the A8 and the A2.
The Avus concept was designed by Munich-based Advanced Design Studio under the direction of Martin Smith.
Named after a Berlin racetrack, the Avus featured unpainted polished aluminium body that recalled the racing heritage of the "Silver Arrows" Auto Unions of the 1930's.
According to Chief Designer Martin Smith, the polished aluminium body panels visually demonstrated how aluminum would play a significant role in the automobile construction.
In the Avus Concept the hand-beaten panels were mounted on a light alloy tubular chassis, in a way similar to the "Touring Superleggera" construction system.
The Avus was powered by a 6.0 liters W12 engine with three banks of four cylinders, which delivered 509 hp. The unit was coupled with Audi's quattro wheel drive system and a six speed gearbox.
Claimed performances were a top speed of 340 km/h (211 mph) and a 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) acceleration time of 3 seconds.
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The performance numbers turned out to be BS, the engine was nothing but a wooden mock-up.
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where did you get that info from?
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Well......come on now. We all know that dealers make a ton of money and get all kinds of incentives from the manufacturer. Or is it the case that when you personally walk into a dealership (not one for which you work) you look at the window sticker, smile and just write a check? If that is the case....(and I doubt it) then point taken. If not, then please do not call someone a "cheap a** customer" because they are trying to save a few dollars and make a smart purchase. We all know that cars are a financial black hole, so one that tries to minimize their loss is being financially responsible, not cheap. Just my opinion.
Looks like they're waiting for a tow truck.:biggrin:
(much nicer looking car than the R8)
It’s because they are to young to drive.
Seriously though, what a stunning looking car! I have never seen it before.
Thanks for posting,
Patrick
True but the price would have been outrageous. It wouldn't have been priced with the 911 or the F348 or even the Diablo. It would probably have been in XJ220/F40/EB110 territory.
I think this is a perfect illustration of what "exotic" is and how the R8 isn't.
True but the price would have been outrageous. It wouldn't have been priced with the 911 or the F348 or even the Diablo. It would probably have been in XJ220/F40/EB110 territory.
I think this is a perfect illustration of what "exotic" is and how the R8 isn't.
I think that what you are saying makes a lot of sense. But what is the point of exotic if practically nobody can afford it.
(I guess that’s one definition of exotic)
I can't ever really get excited about an Egg or a Zonda or an Enzo. I can’t even tell you what type of engines they have because, for me it’s all academic. I will never get to drive one. But I can get excited about an Elise or an NSX or an R8 or a 911 or a Viper etc and I could tell you a fair bit about them off the top of my head because they are within reach.
Regards,
Patrick
If the R8 MSRPs fully loaded around $130K, and that's within your reach, say, within a year from now, then surely you can also consider '05 Gallardo or a '04 360 because they'll fall in that same price range. :smile:
When I bought my NSX it was over 10 years old. So I’m thinking long term and Gallardo’s are around $170k which is pushing it but if they sell enough of them to where they are not too collectable then who knows. It had crossed my mind that the Gallardo might be doable. As opposed to say a Mercialargo, which is totally out of the question. It’s all about the maintenance.
Regards,
Patrick
5000th Gallardo just rolled off the assembly line. Black!!!
I beg to differ. Incentives and cash back are usually reserved for slow selling vehicles (which honda has none), domestic manufacturers
and of course any vehicle thats in i'ts last year of it's current bodystyle. Hold back is just there to make sure the owner doesnt go bankrupt. What does that leave us with? Pure profit. Compared to the things we buy everyday......cars actually have one of the lowest markups. I dont see anything wrong with a $2500 profit on a $30000 car. This is one of the only industries in the world where everyone knows what we paid for our product but of course some people intend for you to lose money. I dont call that responsible.......i call it cheap! BTW...if i do ever purchase something non honda/acura, i dont expect anyone to lose money on me but to each his own. Profit makes the world go around!Anyway.....back on topic. That Avus concept looks hideous!
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I beg to differ. Incentives and cash back are usually reserved for slow selling vehicles (which honda has none), domestic manufacturers
You can call me a "cheap a$$ customer" anytime. To my ears it's a compliment. My customers make me work very hard for their money. When _I_ am the customer, I dont have any problems make you or anyone work as hard for my hard-earn $$$ as I had to.
I will negotiate and I will ALWAYS get the best possible deal I can. On everything. I have bought over 200 vehicles for me and others in the last 10 years. If you cant handle customers like myself, I respectfully suggest you find another job...
Ski_Banker
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I beg to differ. Incentives and cash back are usually reserved for slow selling vehicles (which honda has none), domestic manufacturers
Anyway.....back on topic. That Avus concept looks hideous!
Huh???? Cheap???? Thanks for the laugh! Let me just illustrate how bad I feel when a dealer gets a slim profit on a car being sold to me.
_________________________:biggrin: _____________________________
I could care less about their wallet, just like they could care less about mine. What world are you living in?
Never said i couldnt handle cheap ass customers. Ive been doing this for quite some time and im pretty good at it. I love my job and it has done me well. Just calling a spade a spade. After all it is up to me whom i sell and dont sell a car.
Some of you guys are taking this really serious! Its just a laugh to me.
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True but the price would have been outrageous. It wouldn't have been priced with the 911 or the F348 or even the Diablo. It would probably have been in XJ220/F40/EB110 territory.
I think this is a perfect illustration of what "exotic" is and how the R8 isn't.
If the R8 isn't an exotic, then neither is the NSX.
The R8 is more radically styled and much faster than any NSX.
I'm saying this - and I have a love affair with the NSX.
To say the TT and R8 look identical is an ignorant statement and just doesn't hold water. They are vastly different, much moreso than Porsche's line. The proportions are just so different - I cannot understand how someone could say that without having extreme bias.
You guys should be worshipping Audi. They made the next NSX. Honda abandoned its flagship and you.
It is also $40k plus more than a 05 NSX, and came out 17 years after first NSX was produced. Therefore, is it really worth the money? People already questioned the value of NSX when it is/was a wonderful performer.
I don't think any one said the TT and R8 looks identical, but the similarity is so great to the point that some of us, including my self, question it.
Unlike 997 and Boxter/CaymanS, the price difference is only by about $15 to 20K; Audi is asking $100k difference for a car that look very similar to its little bro TT. If I’m dropping $130k on a car, after initial market and sales tax, it will be $150k plus, I would preferred a car that will look dramatically different than that of the base model sports car from the same manufacture.
As for R8’s performance:
0-60 in 4.3
1/4 mile in 12.6
That is not good for a "sports" car priced over $130k. You can get much much more by going with GT3, 997TT, used 360/Gallardo, or perhaps the ASC.
So here is the big question, can Audi sell more R8 than Honda did with the NSX? I don't think so. Excluding Ferrari - Judging by the recent trend, pretty much all of the “one-off” European exotic cars don’t meet their sales target. R8 will most likely join that party.
Imagine this, if Honda had problem keep the NSX sales steady after 1993, after winning the F1 contractor’s title 6 years in a roll, what does Audi has to show for? LeMans is do not have the reputation or audience of F1 series.
R8 will meet the same fate as Phatom. Great car, wonderful performer, luxurious, comfy, and with above average performance, but most will say "no thanks, I'll take a 997TT or GT3.” Or ASC if the car meets my expectation.
Therefore, I can't worship Audi just because they came out with R8. I'll continue to worship Honda for creating my NSX.
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little:redface:
After reading numerous articles on the R8, and comparing it to the NSX, I have come to the conclusion, (as have some of you) that while the R8 is an awesome car, it is not worth the $120K that it will cost. 420 HP does not cut it for a $120,000 3500lb car, when I could supercharge my NSX for $10K and have almost as much power, and still be 500 lbs lighter. I'll take the $110K in savings and invest it. Or, for $30K more over the price of the R8, buy a Ford GT that has 550 HP and can run with the likes of an F430.
Just my $.02.
Just my $.02.
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I think, if( and a very big IF that is) I had 120K disposable coins in my pocket, I would buy R8. Like Ricky, I think R8 is gorgeous. I would like mine in white, with graphite or titanium side blades.
At this price range, looking good is important, isn't it? Although I do agree with some of you saying this thing somewhat looks like big TT(even magazine racers like me sometimes have trouble distinguishing 996 and first gen boxters from the front..), there are details that set this car apart, like glass bonnet in the BACK, with LED lit engine housing, aforementioned side blades..... i think it's cool that Audi built it,.. if it lasts long enough, i may be able to buy one in the future..
of course, in addition to the future nsx.
At this price range, looking good is important, isn't it? Although I do agree with some of you saying this thing somewhat looks like big TT(even magazine racers like me sometimes have trouble distinguishing 996 and first gen boxters from the front..), there are details that set this car apart, like glass bonnet in the BACK, with LED lit engine housing, aforementioned side blades..... i think it's cool that Audi built it,.. if it lasts long enough, i may be able to buy one in the future..
of course, in addition to the future nsx.
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A lot of folks are missing a key point, Audi actually built something after promising that it would be built, on the other hand Honda hasn't kept any of it's promises when it comes down to the NSX replacement 
, that says quite a bit about Audi and about Honda as well.
The R8 might not be the jaw dropping car as the NSX was when it came out, but it's still something unique. It might share a lot of design cues from other Audi vehicles but that's because it's an Audi.
Some folks have mentioned the Boxster vs 911 and the price difference not been that much. I guess those folks don't remember the 996GT2 which was offered at 180K, more than 4 times the price of a base 986 Boxster which was in the low 40k's.
And for those folks who say that the R8 is not worth more than 120K, I would ask the following questions:
- Have you actually purchased a car that is more than 120K?
- Why did you choose to purchase a NSX even if there are other cars that can perform better than the NSX for less money? Was it a personal choice? Same thing will probably happen for many of the buyers who decide to buy a R8.
BTW: I hate the Audi TT (glorified Golf/Rabbit) and everything that car stands for, but I'm still openminded about the R8 (only because it's a MR car
) until I have a chance to drive one and be able to experience it for myself 
, that says quite a bit about Audi and about Honda as well.The R8 might not be the jaw dropping car as the NSX was when it came out, but it's still something unique. It might share a lot of design cues from other Audi vehicles but that's because it's an Audi.
Some folks have mentioned the Boxster vs 911 and the price difference not been that much. I guess those folks don't remember the 996GT2 which was offered at 180K, more than 4 times the price of a base 986 Boxster which was in the low 40k's.
And for those folks who say that the R8 is not worth more than 120K, I would ask the following questions:
- Have you actually purchased a car that is more than 120K?
- Why did you choose to purchase a NSX even if there are other cars that can perform better than the NSX for less money? Was it a personal choice? Same thing will probably happen for many of the buyers who decide to buy a R8.
BTW: I hate the Audi TT (glorified Golf/Rabbit) and everything that car stands for, but I'm still openminded about the R8 (only because it's a MR car
) until I have a chance to drive one and be able to experience it for myself
A lot of folks are missing a key point, Audi actually built something after promising that it would be built, on the other hand Honda hasn't kept any of it's promises when it comes down to the NSX replacement
They haven't kept any promises yet. It would be okay for you to say this if they now said they aren't going to build something ,but at this point they're still saying they are. All it says about Audi is that they want to increase their market share and try something new. Like a post said earlier "remember the Phaeton" everyone thought that was a great idea as well. If Audi put as much into reliabilty as they did in interiors maybe more people would be convinced.
Well but some Audi's are actually quite atrractive. For that much money Audi could've done better. Remember the M1? I don't remember anyone being on the fence about that.
Sure they remember ,but why use an older car reference that some people may not remember vs something more common.
For more than that I bought two cars at the time as the Vantage wasn't out ( which I still might've passed up for reliability , but not looks ) yet. More recent choices such as the Cayman ( which I like ) Z06 ( nice looking ,but I've seen how Corvette prices tank after a few years , plus I live in Michigan and for that much money I don't want to see myself coming and going ) Viper ( still looks like a "I'm compensating car" to me no offense to anyone who has them ) Ferraris, Lamborghinis stopped being pretty to me awhile back that and reliability.
Every purchase is a personal choice. What mid engine car performed better than the NSX for less money?
BTW: I hate the Audi TT (glorified Golf/Rabbit) and everything that car stands for, but I'm still openminded about the R8 (only because it's a MR car
Your track advice is great and your NSX track expierence has been very helpful to a lot of us , but now that you've soured to Hondas sportscars isn't it time move on?
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