Audi R8 V10 5.2 Plus facelift model spanks the 991 Carrera S with the X51 powerkit in a French Magazine comparison

[Sticky]

Not exactly a fair fight between these two cars here and AudiBoost is not sure why the French magazine Motorsport decided to compare these two models. It simply is not a fair fight as the V8 powered R8 is aimed at the Carrera/Carrera S and not the V10 R8 which should be going up against the 991 Turbo which is not even out yet. They equipped the Carrera S with the X51 Powerkit which boosts power by 30 horses but then handicapped it by choosing the manual transmission version to go up against the dual clutch R8 V10. Not a fair fight.

Just look at these acceleration numbers:

Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 Plus S-tronic

• 0-100 km/h: 3,5 s
• 0-160 km/h: 7,0 s
• 0-200 km/h: 10,4 s
• 400 m: 11,2 s (209 km/h - 129.8 MPH)
• 1 km: 20,5 s (263 km/h - 163.4 MPH)
• Vmax.: 319 km/h

Porsche 911 Carrera S X51 Powerkit (manual)

• 0-100 km/h: 4,5 s
• 0-160 km/h: 9,5 s
• 0-200 km/h: 14,3 s
• 400 m: 12,7 s (186 km/h - 115.5 MPH)
• 1 km: 22,5 s (244 km/h - 151.6)
• Vmax.: 306 km/h

It's completely one sided. 11.2@129.8 1/4 mile versus 12.7@115? That is not even remotely close or fair, it's a beatdown. A 542 horsepower all wheel drive dual clutch 5.2 liter V10 versus a 3.8 liter 430 horsepower rear wheel drive manual flat-6 will tend to be a bit one sided. What were they thinking? Still, impressive to see just how fast the new Audi R8 V10 Plus is.

On the roadcourse the 991 actually does admirably only losing by 4/10's with a 1:22.89 versus the R8 1:22.58. That is not bad at all considering the huge power disparity and the transmission handicap.

Interestingly, the magainze picks the 991 over the R8. AudiBoost does not speak French but it probably has something to do with driving pleasure and price. If the price is not a factor though, hard to argue against the R8. It's simply a beast.

[mkodama]

Who's getting spanked? The magazine puts them at a tie, and the Porsche is 54,000 Euro less. I think it's a great comparison.

[Sticky]

Who's getting spanked? The magazine puts them at a tie, and the Porsche is 54,000 Euro less. I think it's a great comparison.

The 911 got spanked... it isn't a tie for anyone who is into data their subjective opinions aside.

It's cool to see how fast the R8 is but the 911 is completely outclassed.

[Autobahn335i]

I think you're getting it wrong Sticky. The less powerful Porsche scores an equal amount of points in this test. Whilst the Audi is of course faster in accelaration, real world driving puts the Porsche ahead with its much more refined suspension. Even on the racetrack the 100hp advantage of the Audi does not outplay the Porsche.

About the Porsche Power Kit. At a price of 13873 it offers a considerable amount of hardware changes for an added 30 hp: cylinder head, cams, headers and negine management are specific. However the added power can hardly be felt while driving. So it's merely a waste of money.

(Subjective) verdict: the Porsche takes the win. There's more to a car than straight line acceleration numbers. At least outside the US

[Sticky]

I think you're getting it wrong Sticky. The less powerful Porsche scores an equal amount of points in this test. Whilst the Audi is of course faster in accelaration, real world driving puts the Porsche ahead with its much more refined suspension. Even on the racetrack the 100hp advantage of the Audi does not outplay the Porsche.

I don't think I am. I understand the subjective qualities. The R8 is just on a whole different level. I mean it would be absurd to think of taking a 991 Carrera S manual over the R8 V10 Plus. The track performance seems rather suspect considering other comparisons and considering the absolute night and day acceleration different.

About the Porsche Power Kit. At a price of 13873 it offers a considerable amount of hardware changes for an added 30 hp: cylinder head, cams, headers and negine management are specific. However the added power can hardly be felt while driving. So it's merely a waste of money.

Umm I know I linked to my article about it. It's still way, way shy of the R8 V10.

(Subjective) verdict: the Porsche takes the win. There's more to a car than straight line acceleration numbers. At least outside the US

Absolutely and the 991 is likely the better drive but the R8 is another class performance wise. It's night and day.

[Autobahn335i]

I don't think I am. I understand the subjective qualities. The R8 is just on a whole different level. I mean it would be absurd to think of taking a 991 Carrera S manual over the R8 V10 Plus. The track performance seems rather suspect considering other comparisons and considering the absolute night and day acceleration different.

That's the point with the 991. It's RIDICULOUSLY efficient and fast on the racetrack. 991 Carrera S laptimes are on par with 997 GT3 times!! That's incredible and really shows the performance jump the 911 has made with this new generation.

Now imagine what a monster the new GT3 will be!!

Yes, the Audi is faster in a straight line. But is that all that matters? It's oftenly reported that the R8 feels dull and lacks driver feedback on the racetrack. That's where the 911 excels.

[Sticky]

That's the point with the 991. It's RIDICULOUSLY efficient and fast on the racetrack. 991 Carrera S laptimes are on par with 997 GT3 times!! That's incredible and really shows the performance jump the 911 has made with this new generation.

It's really the PDK helping as well as the motor being moved forward.

Now imagine what a monster the new GT3 will be!!

Absolutely, agreed. In love with the new GT3.

Yes, the Audi is faster in a straight line. But is that all that matters? It's oftenly reported that the R8 feels dull and lacks driver feedback on the racetrack. That's where the 911 excels.

Actually the Audi is faster both in a straightline and on the racetrack. The 991 GT3 for example of course will be more exciting to drive than the R8. I'm not a fan of all wheel drive but look at how the R8 just demolishes this 911. Clearly they are not competitors, the V8 R8 is the matchup for the 991 Carrera S.

[mkodama]

The 911 got spanked... it isn't a tie for anyone who is into data their subjective opinions aside.

It's cool to see how fast the R8 is but the 911 is completely outclassed.

Looking at the data:
-3/10ths of a second faster on a 1:22 track for and additional 54,000 euro is a terrible value (according to me)
-The Porsche won the comparison on the track (according to the magazine)
-The Porsche won the comparison on the road (according to the magazine)
-The Audi won at more enjoyable gearbox and motor (according to the magazine)
-The Audi won at straight line acceleration (according to the magazine)
-The final verdict was a tie with the Porsche being described as a better all around car. (according to the magazine)

[Sticky]

The Porsche won the comparison on the track (according to the magazine)

It lost... they may say they liked how it drove better but it lost.

The Porsche won the comparison on the road (according to the magazine)

A subjective point.

The Audi won at more enjoyable gearbox and motor (according to the magazine)

Objective based on the numbers.

The Audi won at straight line acceleration (according to the magazine)

Objective point.

The final verdict was a tie with the Porsche being described as a better all around car. (according to the magazine)

Yes. But the Audi is an another league.

[mkodama]

It lost... they may say they liked how it drove better but it lost.



A subjective point.



Objective based on the numbers.



Objective point.



Yes. But the Audi is an another league.

-Everything is ranked with a little number 1 and 2 for each test. 1 is for first place. The Audi got a 1 at gearbox and motor and a 1 at specifications. The Porsche got a 1 at the road test and a 1 at the track test.

-For the final score, both cars got a 17 out of 20, and the Porsche was claimed a better all around car and the R8 was simply said as good until the new version comes out in 2015.

-The gearbox and engine score was completely subjective, and this is said in the article. The only objective test is the specifications.

The only different league the Audi is in is price.

[Sticky]

The only different league the Audi is in is price.

I don't see how you can come to this conclusion when the numbers are vastly different in performance. It's not even close.

[Autobahn335i]

I don't see how you can come to this conclusion when the numbers are vastly different in performance. It's not even close.

Why do you judge "performance" exclusively based on straight line acceleration ONLY?

Maybe you should attend a trackday some day. Would be an eye-opener to you.

[Sticky]

Why do you judge "performance" exclusively based on straight line acceleration ONLY?

Maybe you should attend a trackday some day. Would be an eye-opener to you.

I'm not going based on solely straightline it wins around the track too. But these cars are no the same league, the R8 V8 and Carrera S match up. This car goes against the Turbo. I'm not sure what you guys are having trouble understanding here.

[Autobahn335i]

Ok, look at the cornering speeds on the track diagramm. The Audi "wins" because of the higher top speed on the straight, due to its huge HP advantage.

I'd hardly call that a "win". Put a 911 GT3 or Turbo on the same track and it's game over. The Audi's track time is far from overwhelming.

Where the Audi clearly takes the cherry is the looks. 911 styling doesn't do much for me. But that's subjective.

[Sticky]

Put a 911 GT3 or Turbo on the same track and it's game over.

This car does match up better with either of those, hence my point.

[Steve B. CBR]

Sticky's buying an R8 soon.

[Sticky]

Sticky's buying an R8 soon.

Probably. Or SLS. Can't decide.

[Steve B. CBR]

Probably. Or SLS. Can't decide.

Can I borrow your life for a few days? I will give it back.

[Sticky]

Can I borrow your life for a few days? I will give it back.

I can't complain but it could be better. It can always be better.

[Steve B. CBR]

I can't complain but it could be better. It can always be better.

Well then, just hold me down with a few thousand for a VF570 kit? I'll even take a used one.

[Sticky]

Well then, just hold me down with a few thousand for a VF570 kit? I'll even take a used one.

Ya I'm kind of busy fixing my car at the moment.