ungainly? Is it the black strip running the length of the lower body? I rememebr the show car looking much better.

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/62857/autohochzwei_r8_vorne_2.jpg"></center><p>Maybe not painted but not tape. No way would Audi spend that much time taping that thing so perfectly and no reason to tape just the lower portion, the gril and rear symmetrically.

Look at the the black car. You can see the lower portion is the same as found on the silver test cars.

<center><img src="http://img330.imageshack.us/img330/6852/r82pm4.jpg"></center><p>Look at the difference in the front grill by the plate holder vs the silver test mules. The masking of the headlights on the silver vs the masking behind the glass lense on the black one.

Just because it 'looks' production, doesn't mean it is. That's the point - to mislead you.

I could be wrong, but I HIGHLY doubt they will finish the lower section of the car in flat black.

The production car will have paint where you see flat black, along with different wheels, and a grille shaped like what you see, but trimmed differently.

But it's all conjecture at this point. I can't wait to see the real thing. One sure thing though: we haven't seen it yet.

I am just hoping to be pleasantly surprised with the unveiling this month but realistic that Audi will drop the ball half way like half their cars in some way or another.

The "spy" photographs of the TT mkII used a similar black matte tape on the lower surface areas in an attempt to make it harder to determine the overall surface details. Notice how difficult it is in your attached photograph to tell front end shapes, let alone details.

I'm positive that everyone will have a much different reaction to the R8 in a week. There will be those that find the car stunning and others will claim that Audi did not try hard enough. Overall, this car is significant for Audi. Its value to the brand is the equivalent of the TT almost ten years ago. It will give Audi credibility in a new market segment.

The Porsche 911 is not evergreen, contrary to the Porschephile's wishes, and the R8 has a much better chance of the ending the 911's forty year reign than most of the challengers. It offers a unique configuration, dynamic styling, and hopefully, dynamic performance at a relatively reasonable pricing point. Another success point promised by Audi is the everyday usefulness of the R8, a key measure for the success of the 911.

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Like I said earlier, I hope to be surprised but I have my doubts. You nailed it right in the head as far as with the comparison with the TT. BTW that was only 6-7 years ago. I was one of the first 225TT owners and I can attest that the car was nothing more than show out of the box. IMO, the car fell short in the power to weight ratio and the short gearing for what it should've been. Given the $50K price tag vs the S4 at the time the car was a lot of fluff. Great handling car don't get me wrong but unless you've owned one, you won't know all the details. How much power a car needs is subjective and can be argued all day.

As far as if this car will challenge the 911, I kind of doubt it. The TT was successful because it was launched at the right time and the price was right. The Boxster and Z3 were unchanged and it was a breath of fresh air.

By no means am I anti-R8 or Audi, I really want this car to be awesome where it gets me excited to want one. I just think that given Audi's track record of late that the price and performance will not add up.

Cost what and do what?

Just curious.

I'm thinking that if it is priced @ &lt;105K and puts up some nice 4.1 zero to siggity times for people that care, it will add up nicely. And, being a mid engine layout- i'll venture to say that it shouldnt have too much trouble being lauded as a 'better handling car than the 911' in the car rags.

RB

along with a chassis with too much grip that tends towards understeer and no throttle adjustability mid-corner. The same stuff they always complain about with Audis :)