Commercial: Audi R8 V10 in Maranello - see what happens

Boasts 525hp and 530Nm of torque

By Michael Gauthier
May 12, 2009 1:44 PM
Filed Under: Audi, Entertainment, German

Audi's marketing department has been on a roll lately, poking fun at rivals in an attempt to gain our attention. Their latest commercial is no different; it shows the new R8 V10 prowling around the streets of Ferrari's hometown - Maranello, Italy.

The clip implies that the new R8 brings shame, jealously and rage to Maranello's residents, it even causes one father to cover his son's eyes to protect him from the horror that is the R8.

While we have great respect for the R8 V10 and its 5.2-liter FSI engine that produces 386kW (525hp) and 530Nm of torque, we don't think Ferrari is too concerned.

Source: germancarscene.com via gtspirit.com

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Tags: Audi R8, Audi R8 V10 FSI, Commercials, Maranello

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Comments

dbehmoaras

May 12, 2009 2:01 PM

That was awesome. Long live the R8!

termigni

May 12, 2009 2:05 PM

ahahahaha!

Gust3439

May 12, 2009 2:05 PM

GO AUDI !!! lol

justbored

May 12, 2009 2:20 PM

Great commercial, as i'm used o from VW, too bad that their cars still don't meet the expectations coming from these commercials in my opinion.

MTC

May 12, 2009 2:39 PM

Audi always make entertaining and hilarious commercials, keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but this got me into thinking, Ferrari F430 or Audi R8? Can't decide, have both then!

Edited by user on May 12, 2009 at 5:39 PM

e36mmm

May 12, 2009 2:46 PM

first audi got owned by bmw with that check mate commercial and now they are doing this? why make a fool of yourself?

gorgonzola

May 12, 2009 2:59 PM

eheh they really got pwned by that BMW billboard though...uuuuffff

AUDINICK

May 12, 2009 3:25 PM

TO e36mmm & gorgonzola : Audi took out a third billboard with the R8 on it to mock BMW because they dont have a pure sports model like the R8 , BMW only has M3 & M6 but no real sports car

michelin901

May 12, 2009 3:57 PM

umm the r8 is a wannabe supercar. its not even close to bein a better car than the m3 and the m5/m6. they would still be owned. i only see them mockin themselves in their commercials/ads. good luck.

Edited by user on May 12, 2009 at 9:00 PM

Joe_Limon

May 12, 2009 4:09 PM

Tis true, the R8 is such a posers car. Especially when a 4 door American sedan still has a faster ring time then it. And if you're going to be forking out the cash for the v10, why not spend the extra 5000 or so and get something with actual prestige and get it's older smarter stronger sibling the Lamborghini?

catchmyshadow

May 12, 2009 5:17 PM

that´s utter garbage, the R8 is far more understated than a ferrari or lamborghini. the car makes u look sexy, a ferrari makes u look desperate for sex. also, no other german car except for the 911 would be able to beat this car on a track and it will annihilate any CTV-S or other any clumsy sedan on the Ring.

blar09

May 12, 2009 5:25 PM

They replied to BMW's master stroke? Are you kidding me? That's REALLY pathetic. Playing catch-up is all Audi can do.

Joe_Limon

May 12, 2009 5:53 PM

The CTS-V still has a couple seconds on the R8's ring time. Hell the v8 hasn't even broke 8 minutes yet. That and the people at caddilac managed to make their sedan more powerful and more fuel efficient then the R8 for half the price... sure the v10 r8 will probably beat it. But if you have to compare that car then you are desparate! The R8 is a beauty queen, bought cause you think it's sexy, and sold because it only has 420hp and you are scared of dying in flames.

catchmyshadow

May 12, 2009 6:37 PM

Audi is one of the few companies who doesn`t feel the need to get involved in the childish Ring War debate. there is no official time (with an Audi test driver) that Audi has ever released as of yet, unlike all the others (incl. GM), who claim better times every month.

Also, put the R8 4.2 and the CTS-V on a small track with lots of corners and watch the CTS-V getting smoked with a 140BHP more. honestly, only a mug would take a clumsy CTS-V over the gorgeous R8. the look alone is worth twice the price of the cadillac.

Joe_Limon

May 12, 2009 7:34 PM

The reason why Audi isn't hitting up the ring is that they know how slow it is. Look at any spec, not only does the CTS-V a faster 0-60 time, it also has a shorter 60-0 distance. So no, I doubt the R8 would be better on a tighter track. The only place I can see it having a minuscule advantage is on a track with traction limited very high speed corners with no straight aways. Maybe then it's extra 0.05g's of cornering force will pay off enough to counteract it's slowness.

catchmyshadow

May 12, 2009 7:43 PM

"The reason why Audi isn't hitting up the ring is that they know how slow it is" are u for real? don`t tell me ur are a not a "fisherman"

by the way, lamborghini also offers no offical times. as well too slow, rite?! haha

Joe_Limon

May 12, 2009 8:23 PM

No I am not a fisherman? You could be though, hahaha "ur are". But no seriously, Lamborghini's have nothing to prove. You look at a lamborghini, you know it's heritage you know it's fast. It's the same reason why Ferrari doesn't compete either. As for Porsche, they are regularly criticized by non Porsche enthusiasts and feel the need to prove their $20,000 markup.

catchmyshadow

May 12, 2009 10:35 PM

look at the track times from the Hockenheim Ring (the smaller circuit), where horse power isn`t anything and handling is more important:

Porsche Carrera GT(620BHP)1.08,6

Porsche 911 GT3 RS (415 BHP)1.11,8

Lamborghini Gallardo (530BHP)1.11,8

Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640(640BHP)1.11,8

Porsche 911Turbo (480BHP)1.11,9

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (620BHP)1.12,0

Lamborghini Murciélago (580BHP)1.12,0

Mercedes CLK DTM AMG (582BHP)1.12,5

Audi R8 4.2 (420BHP)1.12,7

Ferrari F 430 (490BHP)1.12,7

Ferrari Challenge Stradale (425BHP)1.13,0

Porsche 911Carrera S (385BHP)1.13,4

Aston Martin DBS (517 BHP)1.13,5

Ford GT (550BHP)1.14,1

BMW M3 (420 BHP)1.14,3

Dodge Viper SRT-10 (600BHP)1.14,9

Mercedes SL 65 AMG 612BHP)1.15,6

and now tell me the R8 isn`t built for the track, is too slow or has no place among the supercars of today, like Lambos, Ferraris, Porsches etc.

Edited by user on May 12, 2009 at 10:49 PM

Joe_Limon

May 12, 2009 11:14 PM

I will, even on that tight track where power doesn't matter, a bloated benz was faster then it.

catchmyshadow

May 12, 2009 11:57 PM

i knew u would ignore the facts... the only car that beat the R8 V8 in its engine/power category on that track was the GT3-RS and as u know that is a lightweight, track-trimmed car. all the others needed at least +20% BHP to beat it, or were slower with much more power, which proves that the R8, even the V8, is a very well balanced sportscar who kicks ass on the track if necessary.

Joe_Limon

May 13, 2009 1:19 AM

I am ignoring the facts? You are the one ignoring performance specs, fuel economy numbers, and ring times (in favor of a track that requires booking to set times therefore is used far less).

shaahinmt

May 13, 2009 4:46 AM

M3 is not a sports car??? what has been the most successful production cars turned to a unstoppable race machine other than 911's in the last 30 years??? M3's. I like R8 vvvery much, its a evolutionary SUPERCAR. but i like it's (hopefully) to be competitor even more, the M1, that's what BMW has to offer to compete with R8.

catchmyshadow

May 13, 2009 12:14 PM

"..its an evolutionary SUPERCAR" exactly, AMEN

catchmyshadow

May 12, 2009 3:27 PM

great vid, that pissed spitting mechanic haha

Edited by user on May 12, 2009 at 3:28 PM

p0ssuid0

May 12, 2009 3:42 PM

i think it's time to say: "go AUDI!!!" ahahah xD

irishfrank

May 12, 2009 3:46 PM

HAHAHA VERY GOOD AD

joshg_5

May 12, 2009 4:22 PM

pretty terrific commercial.

But do they really have the product to be able to front of Ferrari like that? I mean, I love and respect the R8 V10, but it sure ain't no F430...

daviepops

May 12, 2009 4:55 PM

Brilliant commercial ... Brilliant vehicle ...

catchmyshadow

May 12, 2009 5:16 PM

i wonder if it ´s got an individual colour. looks red but also kind of orange.

Edited by user on May 12, 2009 at 5:18 PM

blar09

May 12, 2009 5:22 PM

Yeah, this is a fun ad, but seriously audi, you're no Ferrari, and I guarantee they're not in the least bit worried about the R8, nor should they be as there's no comparison. Audi once again looks sad and desperate to set it's sights on brands that it will never best. As for the car making you look "sexy"? Good lord, that's just pathetic.

afterace2

May 12, 2009 5:28 PM

u can't deny Audi makes great car commercials

May 12, 2009 5:37 PM

very good commercial! the new R8 is more astonishing than F430!

Siawa

May 12, 2009 5:57 PM

Hahahaha. Awesome Ad. R8 FTW!

Schizo0223

May 12, 2009 6:53 PM

Sorry...while it is funny...this commercial is on the same level as the Hyundai commercial with all the global auto execs going "Hyundai?!" ...rhymes with Sunday thing... (Atleast Hyundai backed up their ad campaign with strong sales figures...)

Like others have said it just points out the fact that Audi is playing catch-up with the established players in the supercar(?) league.

The R8 is a tough sell. It doesn't have the history and the pedigree of a pure sportscar as a Porsche or a Ferrari (don't get me wrong...I admire the Ur Quattro and the various RS version of Audi's...but in the end it's not a pure sports car)and it's not priced too competitively as compared to a Porsche or even a Gallardo when options are added up.

People willing to spend that kind of money want some pedigree to back up their purchase...and to think that their bling bling purchase has a "lowly" VW Golf based A3 sibling sharing the floor space isn't too appealing.

The R8 is a thinking man's sportscar...but the thinking man will probably go for an RS6 Avant instead...

catchmyshadow

May 12, 2009 7:27 PM

The choice is simple: Fiat or VW? nuff said.

scratchy996

May 12, 2009 9:59 PM

i like these long comments that no one reads :)

Geefiasco

May 12, 2009 7:16 PM

Brilliant!

I love the R8! In fact, I seen one yesterday on my way to work, it was the V8 one though, not V10. However, I'd pick, a Ferrari over an R8 ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!

loyo

May 12, 2009 7:36 PM

I don't think Audi is playing catch-up with anybody, it's just one more of their funny ads, so why is people getting so jealous now?

F430 better than R8? I'd like to see that. The only things that the Ferrari does better than the R8 is to cost more and to spend more (way more) time in the mechanic. As for the CTS-V, that piece of junk shouldn't even be mentioned here. I'm not interested in that even if it has the 20-liter, 9999HP engine from the Vette, and GM says it's faster than a Veyron, a Carrera GT and an Enzo, and also more fuel-efficient than a Lupo TDI of a Prius. I'd like to see how many laps can it do around the Nurburgring before it starts to fall apart.

Phil_Owns

May 13, 2009 12:55 AM

I agree. It amazes me how the comparisons of the Cadillac CTS-V, M3, and M6 are brought up. It's actually humorous reading some of these responses. A great video on You-Tube of the M6/Aston/R8/Porsche comparison, might do wonders for some of the posters here. And of course the R8 is a true sportscar and Nope it's not a Ferrari, you can actually drive the Audi R8 everyday without the worry about having it in the shop every other week.

kumbze

May 12, 2009 7:44 PM

Its an all wheel drive car with a mid mounted engine. ofcoarse ferrari is concerned

Get_real

May 12, 2009 10:58 PM

Good idea.

Anyway, if I had to chose between R8 and F430, it would be the R8... Not so difficult. But it's academic because GT3 (RS) is still the ultimate.

Uptohere

May 12, 2009 11:35 PM

I don't see a game of "catch up". I see progress.

Moko

May 13, 2009 12:31 AM

i dunno why,audi tries to go poke fun at other brands, we kow audi wants to be n1 but damn, show some class, other brands never took warring commercials to this extent, if you have great cars let people decide dont go ballistic and al qaida lol but hey i guess that's good marketing for audi

Phil_Owns

May 13, 2009 12:40 AM

Yup, the R8 isn't a Ferrari nor is it meant to be. And for the user that says the R8 can't compete with an M3 or M6... LMAO Seriously, you might want to watch the reviews by people who ACTUALLY drive these cars. The R8 won the Best Handling Car for 2008, and it has received excellent press everywhere. The V10 is garnering the same praises. For a car that runs 130-150k, tell me one other exotic car in the same price range that creates the same level of excitement. BMW, Mercedes, Aston??? Nope. There is good reason why the R8 has been sold out since its release and now with the V10, it looks like more of the same.

mint

May 13, 2009 10:56 AM

great ad. this car however is built for the everyday joe in mind(as are most), if you track cars, you know 4 wheel drive is not where its at. So if you want the real thing this aint it.

you think the r8 lms is 4wd?

mc959

May 14, 2009 4:56 PM

@ Joe Limon

You forget that Porsche has a racing heritage too, they still have the most wins on Le Mans and they still have the best time on the Nürburgring ever made...

@ catchmyshadow

The Carrera 2S or 4S with Pdk is already faster then the R8, i'm even pretty sure that the R8 V10 is still slower then the 911 GT3 on the ring. Please check your info...

THERENAISSANCEMAN

May 14, 2009 7:00 PM

what's the buzz , gents ? . i don't hear no one making a hoot about European cars trespassing GM territory over at Southern California or New York for that matter .

Edited by user on May 14, 2009 at 7:02 PM

loki

May 28, 2009 6:30 PM

what the f..uzz? it's just a funny commercial. that's all. just enjoy it. jeeze.

drjekyllmrlee

November 10, 2009 9:33 PM

You guys are an educated bunch so please help me. I hope to purchase either a R8 V10 or gently used F430 F1 in 3 years. I live in downtown Chicago and would use the car 3-4 times a week to commute and drive around town. Please offer me your opinions. Is the F430 doable as a daily driver with some rush hour traffic and how is maintenance? Thanx.

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