The rivals: Audi R8 versus Porsche 911

So often PorschePorscheGermany, 1931 > present43 models
4639 photos
29 videos
has been challenged and so often the challengers have failed to deliver against Stuttgart’s finest.

MaseratiMaseratiItaly, 1914 > present62 models
696 photos
7 videos
has had a go with the 3200Maserati 3200 GTItaly, 1998 > present2 photos
, but they blew up a lot and the chassis wasn’t all that good either. Then there was JaguarJaguarUnited Kingdom, 1922 > present53 models
2174 photos
16 videos
’s XK seriesJaguar XKUnited Kingdom, 1996 > present2 series
43 versions
95 photos
4 videos
, but that (while not being bad to drive) isn’t the honed tool that the 911Porsche 911Germany, 1963 > present6 series
327 versions
1064 photos
10 videos
is. Aston MartinAston MartinUnited Kingdom, 1914 > present62 models
1872 photos
24 videos
even had a go with the V8 VantageAston Martin V8 VantageUnited Kingdom, 2007 > present3 photos
– and beautiful it was too – but it never quite felt quick enough and they broke down once too often for most people’s liking.

Then it was the turn of AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
8213 photos
27 videos
. What chance did Ingolstadt have? None at all would be the easiest judgement to make. Prior to the RS4Audi RS4Germany, 2006 > 20081 photo
Audi had failed to turn out a truly good driver’s car for quite some years and despite, or perhaps because of, Quattro technology Audi’s didn’t have a reputation for delicacy. However, it looked great when the concept rolled out and we lived in hope while we waited for the first cars to roll out of the factory.

I was in Australia at the time (2007) and I’d be fibbing if I said that I didn’t want the Audi to get its behind kicked by the 911. I’d always been a fan of the Porsche and the 997Porsche 911 Gen.5Germany, 2004 > present96 versions
370 photos
2 videos
had sorted a lot of the wrongs that were present in the 996Porsche 911 Gen.4Germany, 1997 > 200435 versions
136 photos
. How could the Audi compete with that?

Then I came back. I chucked the keys for my Holden Commodore at the new owner and flew home. First on the list? Find an Audi R8Audi R8Germany, 2006 > present44 versions
141 photos
1 video
manual and go for a blast. Of course, I’d heard the reports – hell, I’d even had Autocar airmailed round the world every week, but I couldn’t believe the Audi would be that good. It was.

Porsche 911 Carrera 2004 219 cu in 326 hp @ 6800 rpm 177 mph 5.00s

Audi R8 2006 254 cu in 420 hp @ 7800 rpm 187 mph 4.60s

view full comparison

Obviously it looked great, that much was obvious but would it really drive like I wanted it to, or be as practical?

I had already been disappointed by the new regime under the guidance of VWVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
9654 photos
31 videos
with the advent of the GallardoLamborghini GallardoItaly, 2003 > 20054 photos
– a car which, when released in 2003, simply didn’t live up to its promise and was comprehensively outpaced by the Ferrari F430Ferrari F430Italy, 2004 > present4 photos
and, in my eyes at least, even outdone by the outgoing 360 ModenaFerrari 360 ModenaItaly, 1999 > 20055 photos
– itself not the finest FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
5131 photos
37 videos
. But I digress. (I’d like to mention that it is now much better and with the release of the SELamborghini Gallardo SEItaly, 2005 > present2 photos
in late 2005 it became a decent car.)

I pulled out of the drive and headed into Nottingham, strangely to buy a generator (great car to go in I know) and it was about five miles into the journey when I realised that this was not only a good car but one that really could challenge the 997 as a driver’s tool.

The Audi R8 was launched in 2006, based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform

© photo courtesy of: Audi

The R8 feels bigger than a 911 on the road, in part due to its squat stance but it’s not outrageous by any means. It could also be criticised for having a very Audi-like interior which many would say isn’t as special as those it was competing against. But, Audi build good interiors and everything worked well, so why change that? If you are going to use one of these every day then you’ll want Bluetooth that works.

Anyway, back to my drive. I approached a 60-degree left-hander – uphill, so it inspired confidence – and nailed the throttle. The car flicked sideways then came back progressively with a dab of opposite lock. If it sounds like I am trying to appear as a driving god then I am not, it is merely a demonstration of how good the chassis was, how feel-some the steering was and how progressive the four-wheel drive system was. It was a revelation.

The R8 had the 911 licked in several key areas. It was faster, with 414bhp form its V8, arguably it sounded better, it’s four-wheel drive system offered more security with a mid-engine layout, and it felt very solidly made.  Admittedly a few of these things are subjective but most pundits gave the victory to the Audi.

The seventh generation 911 is an acclaimed fightback from Porsche

© photo courtesy of: Porsche

That said, Porsche didn’t take it lying down. The generation 2 997Porsche 911 CarreraGermany, 2008 > present3 photos
came out with a better interior and more power and it was more economical too. Most people don’t think this is an issue at this end of the market but trust me, it is.

Then, at the end of 2011 the latest 991Porsche 911 Gen.6 [991 Series]Germany, 2011 > present110 versions
314 photos
3 videos
came out with its new electric power steering and better efficiency with a new PDK gearboxPorsche 911 Carrera PDKGermany, 2011 > present3 photos
and even a seven speed manual ‘box. My memory of the 991 is of how grownup the chassis feels. No longer does it feel rear-engined, despite that being where it is located, but now it has the balance and poise of the finest mid-engine supercar. For some this will be a good thing, and others will decry the lack of character. What is almost certainly true is that the 991 is now objectively a better car than the R8.

After the disappointment of those previous attempts the R8 was a revelation, but it has now fallen behind again, even with the V10. With the next 911 six years away the next version should come from Ingolstadt and hopefully it’ll be a cracker. Over to you Audi…