Audi R8 V10 Spyder's Engine Makes Superior Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Look Dull

Despite these two brands residing under the umbrella of the Volkswagen Group, Audi and Porsche have never seen eye to eye when it comes to sportscars. In fact, the original R8 was more of a middle finger shown to the 911, not a cheapscape alternative to Lamborghini.

The R8 Spyder uses the same V10 engine and platform as the Lamborghini. But the regular version only makes 540 horsepower and up until recently that was the only one you could buy with no top on.

"Regular version" could be the theme of this review, as the Porsche is presented in non-S 911 Turbo Cabriolet form. It's the facelift version and despite having a smaller engine and fewer cylinders, it produces a lot more torque.

On the track, the 911 positively spanks the R8. There's a night-and-day difference in gearboxes and predictability on the limit. Randy trust the Turbo like an old spouse, while the Spyder is twitchy.

The opposite is true on the road. Right from the beginning of the review, the Turbo Cabriolet is put down for looking and sounding dull, or for having all its points filed flat. By contrast, the R8 has that honest engine sound and the bold styling. But the differences between the two twin-clutch gearbox systems still plays a part.

Despite a gigantic gap between the two lap times, Jonny Liberman decides the yellow R8 is the winner of this test. We have a feeling that Randy wouldn't approve, as he explicitly said it's a car he could never own. Then again, if you want the ultimate track car, you buy the coupe version. But isn't there a lot more excitement and panache associated with a real Lamborghini, not the German derivative?