Is The R8 "Too Good To Change"

[SoCalDubber]

Seems like very minor changes and a natural progression... but I'm still offended by it for some reason. Is the R8 just so good and different that it, like the 911, will be borderline impossible to change?

[nickthaskater]

It looks very dated to me now, so no, it's not too good to change.

[leaftye]

I think the design is long in the tooth. Audi has been conservative though. If it lives on, it'll probably be like the TT.

[dumkopf]

It never really stood out to me, to be honest. It always felt like it had hum-drum looks. So, no.

[SoCalDubber]

I guess it's just a matter of opinion... I think it's perfect.

[VarianceVQ]

No. I can list two changes right now:

Lose the hideous "sideblade" panel.

Fix the Cayman-esque rear.

[vwpiloto]

From a "looks" standpoint, I never considered it to be a drop dead gorgeous car. I've never driven one, so I cannot comment on whether it has perfect driving dynamics that are "too good to change."

[TangoRed]

It never really stood out to me, to be honest. It always felt like it had hum-drum looks. So, no.

I agree! Yet every time one rolls up everyone is up in arms about how cool and nice looking it is. I'm always standing around like

[blackvento36]

I think that one's much better, I wouldn't say it's the best looking car I've ever seen tho. I would have to stare at it for a long time to figure out exactly what I would change. Maybe the LED tailight pattern to look more like an A6 but spiffier. The only thing I really didn't like about the '12 was the grilles, those are much better.

[TetsuoShima]

I don't think it's perfect but then again no car out there is perfect...but I do think it's a gorgeous design. I think they'll continue to go the evolutionary way with it for the next few generations imo.

[HCsmokey]

I heard one today as I was walking my dog. Then I looked up and noticed it was a white R8. Sounded sick and looked sick. Dunno if it was a v10 or 8 as it was not close enough to easily tell. I still think they're pretty cool and rareish.

edit: what I mean is: yeah, keep it the way it is. No need to change it much. Maybe some aero stuff or something.(for a cost. Keep the stock car stock).

[stascom]

I guess it's just a matter of opinion... I think it's perfect.

Yup.

[AIRider]

I love the r8, and guys who say that it's not beautiful are the same guys who look at a supermodel and say her knees are too pointy, but banging fat girls in the dark.

[devianb]

I would love to see the front lights redesigned so that it doesn't look like your average Audi from the front.

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

I'm not offended by the new look but I also do not think the R8 is too good to change.

[Internal Combustion]

I will say I'm never much for the R8 online but EVERY time I see one on the road I get a chubby.

[BRealistic]

It's German.

I don't think "completely redesigned" is even in the language.

Maybe "completely redesigned" would be admitting that the original design was not perfect?

Blasphemy!

[Tim@Fourtitude]

I've never driven one, so I cannot comment on whether it has perfect driving dynamics that are "too good to change."

I'm no master of driving, but the dynamics and overall driving experience are really pretty incredible. There's a reason why people like Evo and Top Gear and a lot of others really gush about the driving experience all the time. It's fantastic.

Please remember, everybody: the car you see above is still in camo. Yes, the next R8 will be an evolution of the design rather than a completely clean slate, but why would you expect anything different? Audi has a lot of capitol bound up in the R8 - it established a lot of the design language for the current lineup, and is part of the face of the brand. They're not going to toss all that right out the window for the next generation. They'll evolve it, just like everyone does when a new model of anything comes out.


*edit:
Also, the car in the post above is the PIP (product improvement, or facelift) R8, not the next generation one. Audi (and everyone else) is usually fairly conservative with midcycle facelifts, so that's not a surprise.

-Tim

[BRealistic]

I'm no master of driving, but the dynamics and overall driving experience are really pretty incredible. There's a reason why people like Evo and Top Gear and a lot of others really gush about the driving experience all the time. It's fantastic.

For a base price of $115,000 (current model.. I am sure this new one will be significantly more).. it better be fantastic.

[Krazee]

I'm no master of driving, but the dynamics and overall driving experience are really pretty incredible. There's a reason why people like Evo and Top Gear and a lot of others really gush about the driving experience all the time. It's fantastic.

Please remember, everybody: the car you see above is still in camo. Yes, the next R8 will be an evolution of the design rather than a completely clean slate, but why would you expect anything different? Audi has a lot of capitol bound up in the R8 - it established a lot of the design language for the current lineup, and is part of the face of the brand. They're not going to toss all that right out the window for the next generation. They'll evolve it, just like everyone does when a new model of anything comes out.

-Tim

That all makes sense, but I wouldn't be surprised if Audi treats it how Lamborghini treats its V12 cars, or Ferrari its V8 cars - and by that I mean, same basic concept but evolving and returning with a different name plate. I was expecting Audi to copy the names of their Le Mans racers, considering that's where the R8 got its inspiration.

[matches]

Please remember, everybody: the car you see above is still in camo. Yes, the next R8 will be an evolution of the design rather than a completely clean slate, but why would you expect anything different?

This doesn't seem to be the "next" R8, so much as a midlife refresh to the current car. Not sure what everyone's so riled up about.

[Chris Stack]

It's already been compared to the Acura NSX; letting it languish for years with little to no updating would complete the comparison.



Personally, I think the coupe is weird and ugly, but the Spyder is great minus the front end. Clean up the gaping holes and ditch the tired LEDs* and it would look a lot better.



*I'm well aware that Audi invented the concept, but they looked stupid then and really stupid now that everyone is copying it.

[2VWatatime]

. Is the R8 just so good and different that it, like the 911, will be borderline impossible to change?

Of course not. I'd even go further & opine that in a decade or so we'll be wondering "whatever happened" to the 1st gen R8 - much like the TT - then and now a very good car, but now seemingly gone from the spotlight. As to driving it, well, like most performance cars it's envelope is greater than mine - but in my "comfort zone" it had little to favor over others.

[mrothwell]

I don't think it's perfect but then again no car out there is perfect...

This. A car can always have more power, better grip, lighter weight, better efficiency and/or a smoother ride.

[masa8888]

For a base price of $115,000 (current model.. I am sure this new one will be significantly more).. it better be fantastic.

Meh, that's about what a nicely equipped 991 S goes for on Ebay. I think the R8 is a relative bargain in the crowd-attracting super car territory (Viper is the king here), and wouldn't mind if it took an evolutionary approach to redesigns. The key for me is that they continue to keep pushing the envelope on engine development, like Porsche.

[boner]

*i'm well aware that audi invented the concept, but they looked stupid then and really stupid now that everyone is copying it.

thank you, i'm not the only one that thinks this!!!!!

[patrickvr6]

I've never liked the looks of the R8. The massive plastic grills on each corner ruin it for me. A car of that caliber shouldn't rely on that much fake mesh for styling.

Yuck.

R8 Spyder front side 'grill' by littlewiiguy, on Flickr

[FastGTi]

Change it more...and shorten the damn thing for chrissakes.

[seadoo2006]

I've driven one, and yes, the thing handles like a dream ... it's perfect for what it is, the everyman's supercar.

That being said, I think the redesign will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary ... as someone above said, Audi has WAY too much R&D and capital wrapped up into the R8 to completely overhaul it new again.

[Wanganrunner]

It's already been compared to the Acura NSX; letting it languish for years with little to no updating would complete the comparison.

Nowhere near NSX status yet, that was '89-'05.

The S2000 was largely unchanged for almost ten years. Corvettes last forever (C4 - 12y, C5 - 9y, etc). Sports cars tend to have long lifespans. The R8 is not old yet.

Do people seriously expect a new model every four years for a $115k supercar like it's a Golf? Not going to happen, costs are too high and volume is too low.

[BRealistic]

Meh, that's about what a nicely equipped 991 S goes for on Ebay. I think the R8 is a relative bargain in the crowd-attracting super car territory (Viper is the king here), and wouldn't mind if it took an evolutionary approach to redesigns. The key for me is that they continue to keep pushing the envelope on engine development, like Porsche.

Ebay = Used?

Comparing new to used is an instaban.

What can you get a 2008 R8 for now?

Gradually making the new ones better and better is nice, but you also must make them compelling enough for people to pay brand new prices over used ones.

[thetopdog]

I agree! Yet every time one rolls up everyone is up in arms about how cool and nice looking it is. I'm always standing around like

I agree. I didn't really think the car was all that special when I first saw it, but the general public seems to LOVE them. It's grown on me though

[masa8888]

Ebay = Used?

Comparing new to used is an instaban.

What can you get a 2008 R8 for now?

Gradually making the new ones better and better is nice, but you also must make them compelling enough for people to pay brand new prices over used ones.

Apples to apples

Used 2012 991 S with 2000 miles, with "Buy it Now" option for $116,000.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-9...item35bb3d55d6

Used 2012 R8 4.2 R-Tronic with 800 miles, with "Buy it Now" option for $122,900.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2012-...item2ebc8d6451

[mack73]

I will say I'm never much for the R8 online but EVERY time I see one on the road I get a chubby.

Ditto. Drove past one yesterday and it looked fantastic

[08-Jetta]

I will say I'm never much for the R8 online but EVERY time I see one on the road I get a chubby.

This. I'm sure nobody would admit it - but I bet a bunch of people who dislike it rarely see them in person. This is one of those cars that sort of looks decent online but in person looks great