Which German great is numerically superior with their formula: Audi with its new R8 or Porsche and the 911 Carrera 4S? Neither one’s a slouch, but which keys do we covet? Let’s take a look at each.
A casual observer could be forgiven if the Audi R8 came as a surprise. With the arguable exception of the TT, one could assume Audi’s sporting efforts were concentrated on the R10 TDI race car. After all, with Lamborghini in the family, Ingolstadt could just concentrate on building the swift sedans they’re known for. On the other hand, the Italian connection presents the potential for a world-class sports car. Luckily, Audi favored the latter scenario and created the R8 from the Lamborghini Gallardo chassis.
Over the course of 40-plus years, it’s probably safe to say that all existing adjectives and superlatives have been used to describe the Porsche 911. And a few have likely been invented along the way. Even when the tone turns critical of the car, it’s rare that this legend doesn’t command respect.
Let’s evaluate the promising newcomer against the perennial favorite. Each will be rated on a number of levels, with a possible 100 points for a perfect score.
Audi R8
MSRP: $109,000Engine: 4.2-liter, DOHC V8
Horsepower: 420 @ 7,800 rpm
Torque: 317 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
MPG: City: 13; Highway: 20
Performance - 16/20
Whether you opt for the Audi R8’s gated manual or R-tronic single-clutch automatic with paddle shifters, both are six-speeds that help verify Audi’s claims of 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph. While all that performance is going on, the mid-mounted 4.2-liter V8, adapted from the RS 4, growls nicely under acceleration. Understeer and the infamous mid-engine sudden oversteer are all but nonexistent, and it’s only in the absence of these that you remember the Audi R8 is a Quattro; the all-wheel drive bias and operation is mostly transparent in turning all four 19-inch wheels. In America, we aren’t blessed with the ceramic brakes offered to European buyers, but the car still simmers down nicely.
Exterior design - 19/20
Not many mid-engine cars can look contemporary or unique. Credit the Audi R8 for nailing both. Its unique aluminum body is unmistakably Audi and far less in-your-face than the Gallardo, but it still sends a clear message of performance. Audi didn’t break through with a cure for rear visibility from the cockpit, but at least the V8 is visible to admirers, complete with LED accent lighting in the bay for better nighttime envy.
Interior design - 5/10
Yep, you’re definitely in a German performance car, so it’s business before pleasure from a visual standpoint. It may even lack excitement to some, but few will gripe about aches and pains. Finally, here’s a mid-engine car with reasonable ergonomics and space behind the Alcantara leather sports seats. We understand the squared-off steering wheel bottom helps prevent endless thigh rubbing, but whipping it around more than a quarter turn just feels odd.
Sound system/goodies - 7/10
The six figures and then some is money well-spent, since most desirable features are already included. There’s not much else to pile on except side airbags and SIRIUS Satellite Radio to accompany the standard six-disc CD, MP3 stereo system and seven speakers that generate 140 watts. Not only does the advanced anti-theft system disable the vehicle, but it also protects the bevy of features inside, including the automatic climate control, backlit instrument panel, heat-insulated windshield, and aluminum gear knobs and lever gates.
Bang for the buck - 16/20
You pay a lot, but you also get a lot from Audi R8’s first mid-engine effort. Even if a few other sports cars meet or beat the Audi R8’s numbers for similar or less money, there’s an air of exclusivity that is matched by few.
Driving experience - 15/20
The Audi R8 works well at all speeds. Behave yourself, and the driver’s seat feeling isn’t a great deal different than its sibling sedans. Flatten your foot, and the world comes at you in a hurry. Yet, for all its quickness, it may perform a little too efficiently; it needs more accessible emotion. We’re not suggesting it emulate the Gallardo, but there’s room for greater emotional reward.
Overall score - 78/100
Proving you don’t have to drive an in-your-face Italian car or stratospherically expensive European exotic to have great looks and mid-engine performance, the Audi R8 is a strong initial effort.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
MSRP: $89,700Engine: 3.8-liter, DOHC H6
Horsepower: 355 @ 6,600 rpm
Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 4,600 rpm
MPG: City: 17; Highway: 25
Performance - 17/20
You don’t have to be exceptionally talented to drive a 911, but it helps. Two-wheel drive models may be on more drivers’ wish lists, but they can’t match the all-wheel drive Porsche 911 Carrera 4S for smooth launches. The fighting-for-traction axle hop just doesn’t happen, leaving six-speed manual cars to zip from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 179 mph. Depending on conditions, 5% to 40% of the work will be handled by the 19-inch front wheels (19 inchers are in back also), but it’s all unobtrusive and only benefits the already-great handling. Credit also goes to the ever-present Porsche Stability Management and Porsche Active Suspension Management. Way out back, the 3.8-liter flat six may be water-cooled, but it still howls a lot like the beloved air-cooled engines of years past.
Exterior design - 18/20
Even if the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S doesn’t stand out as much as we’d like against the Boxster and Cayman, they’re not at all bad-looking. Observant fans or anyone looking at a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and two-wheel drive 911 together will notice the flared rear-wheel arches. This is a win-win; they add to the performance character, but the 911 Carrera 4S doesn’t suffer aerodynamically due to its slightly lower ride height.
Interior design - 8/10
Everything falls to hand easily, just as you’d expect in a 911. Also, just as expected, the small but comfortable cockpit invites you to spend hours in either the electrically-adjustable seat, sports seat or sports bucket seat, but the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S doesn’t punish you for doing so. You’ll also note that this 911 has carried on with the tradition of providing folding rear seats, which gives you an extra 7.24 cubic feet of cargo space.
Sound system/goodies - 7/10
Lest you think we’re through with elaborately-named features, the 911 Carrera 4S offers Porsche Communication Management as standard equipment. Translation: a nice stereo that plays MP3-coded CDs. Otherwise, the standard fare is fine, which includes a 13-speaker BOSE Surround Sound System that features a seven-channel digital amplifier and active equalization. Why you’d want to drown out the beautiful purr of your H6 is beyond us. There’s really no need to spend thousands more on little extras that don’t do a thing for performance. OK, there is one cool option we’d want: the Sports Chrono Package that will come in handy on track days.
There are, however, many creature-comfort items that are nice, such as the steering wheel that features height and telescopic adjustments, an ergonomic interior that keeps the driver in mind, the fully automatic climate control system, and, of course, the left-hand ignition key.
Bang for the buck - 18/20
You can be waylaid by unnecessary options and/or spend a lot more on higher-performance 911s, but the often-overlooked 911 Carrera 4S is still among the purest sports cars on the road at a price that represents outstanding value.
Driving experience - 18/20
Anyone who questions why so many wax giddy about driving a 911 probably haven’t experienced it. You have to mind your manners to fully (and safely) exploit the car’s performance, but doing it right makes you feel as though you just executed the perfect saber of a bottle of champagne.
Overall score - 86/100
For a sports car with so many positives and so few faults, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S has few equals at any price. It may not draw attention like some other high-performance cars, but for the lucky driver who appreciates its feel and responsiveness, that’s a secondary concern anyway.
and the winner is…
The Audi R8 deserves much praise for its style and performance. What’s more, a prototype car has been spotted undergoing testing, which could be a V10-powered R8-RS. Regardless, it’s nice to see there’s more on the horizon.For now, however, the Porsche Carrera 911 4S is greater than the Audi R8. There’s a reason the Porsche 911 has kept generations of drivers entertained all these years. It isn’t perfect, nor is it completely tolerant of imperfect drivers. This only challenges owners to hone their skills and relish the experience.
Resources:
http://autos.aol.com/
http://www.edmunds.com/
http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/
0 comments:
Publicar un comentario