Posted on Wednesday 7 May 2008
Just yesterday we reported the Nissan GT-R’s sold-out sales success around the globe. Today Audi revealed its R8 is also being bought more quickly than it can be made, to the tune of several months in backlogged sales.
Audi’s R8 owes some of its success to a mixture of ingredients that almost guarantee excellent performance, like a mid-mounted V8 producing 420hp, a top speed of 300km/h (187mph) and a 0-100km/h time under 4.5 seconds. Its attractive styling is also part of the equation, with short overhangs and low, chunky proportions that give it a look uncommon to the class.
The company from Ingolstadt wouldn’t reveal just how many R8s had been sold since its release last year, but whatever the numbers were, the factory couldn’t keep up, reports Edmunds.
And it’s no surprise - the R8 garnered more press attention and critical acclaim than just about any other car available in 2007 - rivaling or surpassing even the much-anticipated GT-R in its coverage, winning the award for World Performance Car of the Year and World Design of the Year 2008, beating out the WCOTY winning Mazda2.
Audi R8
Given that this is the German equivalent of the Honda (Acura) NSX, a cut-price mid-engined supercar, why is this so much more successful than then NSX ever was? Is it because it boasts a genuine supercar engine or is it because people can see paying 100k for an Audi and cannot for a Honda/Acura?
roy; exactly. That and this car looks a little more… special. I don’t know.
Its a car with roots from Lambo, where the NSX was… a honda. I mean, yeah honda is awesome and all, but… Audi/Lambo? cmon. and that 4.2L is legendary. This is the car it was made to be in.
R8 “rivaling or surpassing even the much-anticipated GT-R in its coverage”?
I don’t know about that. I keep seeing more and more GT-R articles every day. With more and more ridiculous claims… some kids down the road swear that the GT-R can fly and Nissan has invented anti-gravity
Yes R8 is a good car that does not need BS marketing to sell.
*Audi reveals R8 production can’t keep up with demand*
I know! Mine is taking forever!
Roy, i think Audi obviously has a much better badge appeal, but also don’t forget that NSX sold quite well when first released. We’ll just have to wait and see how R8’s demand will be in few years time.
I understand why it’s selling so good. Looks great on pictures, looks even better in person and they say it handles like Porsche, altough I haven’t tested that for myself yet