R8 vs CLS55 - who wins?
02-11-2008, 04:53 PM
#1
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R8 vs CLS55 - who wins?
Had dinner at the in laws last night. As if that's not painful enough, my wife's brother kept talking about how great the R8 is and I should get one instead of the 55. I told him the 55 would beat the R8.
Could it?
Could it?
02-11-2008, 04:54 PM
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02-11-2008, 05:40 PM
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'12 ML350
It would depend on many factors beyond the specs of the cars I think...
The R8 has a curb weight of about 3,400 lbs. - I think our W211s are relatively a few hundred pounds heavier?
Then there is traction - it's true the E55 has massive torque - but the output is only to the rear axle - where MB's aggressive traction control would limit the usefulness of the torque deployed.
The R8 is Quattro, which means it puts all its power down to 4 decent sized contact patches - have you ever seen the Audi race cars from a standing start compared to its RWD competitors? The SPEED GT series usually pops into my mind where they usually had superior launches off the line than even the rear engined 911s.
So it's probably not a cut and dry B&W answer if the two cars lined up side by side...
The R8 has a curb weight of about 3,400 lbs. - I think our W211s are relatively a few hundred pounds heavier?
Then there is traction - it's true the E55 has massive torque - but the output is only to the rear axle - where MB's aggressive traction control would limit the usefulness of the torque deployed.
The R8 is Quattro, which means it puts all its power down to 4 decent sized contact patches - have you ever seen the Audi race cars from a standing start compared to its RWD competitors? The SPEED GT series usually pops into my mind where they usually had superior launches off the line than even the rear engined 911s.
So it's probably not a cut and dry B&W answer if the two cars lined up side by side...
02-11-2008, 05:53 PM
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SL600
Benz wins, no question about it whatsoever. Your car makes as much power at the wheels as the Audi does at the crank. It's not even a comparison really.
The Audi is marginally lighter and has AWD, but that only gives it an advantage until 20mph or so, at which point your 55 should blow right by it...
Handling-wise and looks-wise, that Audi 8 is smokin' though, and I don't even like audis normally.
The Audi is marginally lighter and has AWD, but that only gives it an advantage until 20mph or so, at which point your 55 should blow right by it...
Handling-wise and looks-wise, that Audi 8 is smokin' though, and I don't even like audis normally.
02-11-2008, 05:56 PM
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SL600
Here's a listing of some pics and specs on it...
It does 60 in 4.6 seconds, even with the awd, and that's still slower than a 55. I wouldn't imagine it gets any better from there.
http://autoreview.belproject.com/item/287
It does 60 in 4.6 seconds, even with the awd, and that's still slower than a 55. I wouldn't imagine it gets any better from there.
http://autoreview.belproject.com/item/287
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02-11-2008, 06:29 PM
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Kind of a moot point, since the entire 3 year R8 build is sold out. You simply can't get one.
Given a pair of decent drivers, the R8 will get the jump because of quattro. Once both cars hook up, the CLS should pull away steadily after that.
Given a pair of decent drivers, the R8 will get the jump because of quattro. Once both cars hook up, the CLS should pull away steadily after that.
02-11-2008, 09:19 PM
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[QUOTE=wolverine;2648802]Kind of a moot point, since the entire 3 year R8 build is sold out. You simply can't get one.
QUOTE]
Really? Are you sure about that?
QUOTE]
Really? Are you sure about that?
02-11-2008, 09:29 PM
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CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
I am a huge audi fan....but the R8 really just looks horrid IMO. It's really a car meant for a road course. Straight line speed it's a dog....
02-11-2008, 09:44 PM
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'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
[QUOTE=coolcamden;2649120]+1 My local Audi dealer assures me they have one coming that's not spoken for, plus another after that. Not overly jazzed on the look, but I sure miss my A6.
02-11-2008, 11:16 PM
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I have the same engine in my RS4 and I'd think twice before I raced a 55, or a 63.
Unless you have a curb weight of less than 2500lbs.....a engine that only produces 420hp is not going to give you super-car numbers.
I say put some money on a race but tell him you want two car lengths because you know the Audi is scary fast. hahahahahahahaha
Unless you have a curb weight of less than 2500lbs.....a engine that only produces 420hp is not going to give you super-car numbers.
I say put some money on a race but tell him you want two car lengths because you know the Audi is scary fast. hahahahahahahaha
02-11-2008, 11:52 PM
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2007 E63 w/P30 and Eurotech CF Diffuser
Sicker
With 500 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque on tap from the 6.0-liter turbocharged powerplant, the R8 concept is capable of hitting 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds. Peak torque is available between 1750-3000 rpms.
Audi has also made great strides to keep the twin-turbocharged engine as compact and light as possible. Compared with Audi's V8 TDI engine, the V12 is only 6.54 inches longer. To cut weight, the V12's block is made from cast iron laced with vermicular graphite that is 40 percent stronger and has double the fatigue-resistance properties of pure iron. The stronger materials enabled engineers to use a thinner case and cut weight by 15 percent.
The V12 TDI engine is not only powerful, but is clean and meets stringent emissions standards not set to go into effect until 2014 in Europe. A catalytic converter with particulate filter and an aqueous urea solution are responsible for the engine's clean operation. The solution is injected into the exhaust and forms ammonia that splits nitric oxide into nitrogen and water.
The concept's styling doesn't veer much from its gasoline-fueled version. The slight differences include the glass roof above passengers, extra aluminum interior trim and roof-mounted air duct to help the massive engine breathe.
Audi has also made great strides to keep the twin-turbocharged engine as compact and light as possible. Compared with Audi's V8 TDI engine, the V12 is only 6.54 inches longer. To cut weight, the V12's block is made from cast iron laced with vermicular graphite that is 40 percent stronger and has double the fatigue-resistance properties of pure iron. The stronger materials enabled engineers to use a thinner case and cut weight by 15 percent.
The V12 TDI engine is not only powerful, but is clean and meets stringent emissions standards not set to go into effect until 2014 in Europe. A catalytic converter with particulate filter and an aqueous urea solution are responsible for the engine's clean operation. The solution is injected into the exhaust and forms ammonia that splits nitric oxide into nitrogen and water.
The concept's styling doesn't veer much from its gasoline-fueled version. The slight differences include the glass roof above passengers, extra aluminum interior trim and roof-mounted air duct to help the massive engine breathe.
02-13-2008, 08:53 AM
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In a street race, its no question that the 55k would humiliate the R8. But otherwise, the R8 kills it in the twisties and chick magnet department. And that V12 turbo diesel engine is a concept. I hear they will give it the Gallardo's V10 with twin turbos much I'm not sure. If they give it a 550hp+ engine, it will be one hell of a supercar 
