yeah, i don’t really think they need an entry level model but the R8 4.2 was cool as it was reasonably attainable when it came out. It wasn’t $220,000…and it wasn’t a boring 911. However the V10 was only about $30,000 more and came with about $10,000 in stuff you would certainly add to your 4.2 in the options menu so it too was attainable for many.
the 4.2 was heavily outmatched at 420 hp but it was so awesome and revolutionary, it actually sold. I was wrong, I thought it would be a dud. I basically said ‘you can’t launch in that space with an underpowered car without 50 years of history behind you allowing you to sell an inferior, expensive product like Porsche does wtih the basic 911’ however that was dead wrong.
We’ll see how people feel about a turbo V6. Not very ‘super’. The GTR has a V6 but it’s a fairly massive 3.8 hence they get loads out of it. They also spend a fortune and lose money on that car. It’s really a Nissan brand legitimizer. Audi won’t push 600 hp out of their V6 so it will likely be the ugly girl (from that respect) at the dance. Aston Martin sells cars despite being slower and worse than just about everything they compete with. But they’re stunning, and they sound epic so the experience is awesome. I’m not sure Audi will get that same leeway.