Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 Porsche 911 VS 2015 Audi R8 Near Phoenix, AZ

The 911 offers optional Porsche Active Safe, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The R8 doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The 911 offers optional ParkAssist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or, optionally, in front of the vehicle. The R8 doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the 911 and the R8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all wheel drive.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 first among midsize premium sporty cars in their 2013 Initial Quality Study. The R8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 37 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 11th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 9th in reliability, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 19th.

The 911 has more powerful engines than the R8:

As tested in Motor Trend the 911 S is faster than the R8 V8 (automatics tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the 911 Turbo S is faster than the R8 V10 Plus (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The R8 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the R8:

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Cabriolet gets better fuel mileage than the R8:

Regenerative brakes improve the 911’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The R8 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 911 (except GT3)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The R8 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the 911 Turbo/GT3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R8:

The 911 stops much shorter than the R8:

For better traction, the 911’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R8 (F:245/35R20 & R:305/30R20 vs. F:235/35R19 & R:295/30R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The R8’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The 911 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride. This helps keep the tires glued to the road. The R8 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 911 GT3 Coupe handles at 1.12 G’s, while the R8 V10 Plus Coupe pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 911 S Cabriolet handles at 1.03 G’s, while the R8 V8 Spyder pulls only .97 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 911 Turbo S Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the R8 V10 Plus Coupe (23 seconds @ .93 average G’s vs. 23.6 seconds @ .89 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 911 Turbo/GT3’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the R8’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The 911’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the R8’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Audi R8.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the 911 w/Sport Chrono (except w/o Sport Chrono) has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The R8 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The 911 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the R8 can only carry 2.

The 911 Coupe has .3 inches more front headroom and 4.8 inches more front legroom than the R8 Coupe.

The 911 Cabriolet has .5 inches more front headroom and 4.8 inches more front legroom than the R8 Spyder.

The 911 Coupe has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the R8 Coupe (5.1 vs. 3.5 cubic feet).

The 911 Cabriolet has a much larger trunk than the R8 Spyder (4.8 vs. 3.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 911 easier. The 911’s trunk lift-over height is 24.3 inches, while the R8’s liftover is 31.1 inches.

When three different drivers share the 911, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The R8 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 911’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The R8 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 911’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The R8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 offers an optional rear wiper. The R8 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 911 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The R8 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 911 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The R8 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the 911 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The R8’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 911’s optional air conditioned front seats cool the driver and front passenger and help take the sting out of hot leather in Summer. The R8 doesn’t offer air conditioned front seats.

On extremely cold Winter days, the 911’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The R8 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 911 has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The R8 doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

The 911’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The R8 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 911 PDK offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The R8 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Optional Online Services for the 911 allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including playing internet radio stations, searching the internet and other connected activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The R8 doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its November 2013 issue and they ranked the Porsche 911 S Carrera 4 Coupe first. They ranked the Audi R8 V10 Plus Coupe third.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 first among midsize premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The R8 isn’t in the top three.

The 911 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 6 of the last 19 years. The R8 has never been an “All Star.”

The Porsche 911 outsold the Audi R8 by almost 14 to one during the 2014 model year.