Here's Why the Audi R8 Was the Perfect Halo Car

[@jaaj7381]

I'm actually beginning to believe that Doug actually did forget the password to more doug

[@stupidvideos1449]

Same

[@FujiwaraBunta]

Me too

[@nickgav7390]

YuuY

[@neeranii3806]

probably hello btw jaaj

[@VdiMusicGaming]

Lol

[@ASAPg35]

Another huge point you missed was the L.E.D lights. I remember the first time I saw a R8 in 2008 and a A4 I was blown away. It’s so common now but it was a revolutionary design feature.

[@The3nd187]

I remember people used to call them "Christmas lights"

[@luisarsuaga7637]

He didn't mention the LEDs on this video, but he is well aware that the R8 started the LEDs trend. In his 2008 R8 video review he states this among many other things that started with the R8.

[@SwapBlogRU]

It's a trend that has to die. They look cool, but in an older car you replace a light bulb, while with LED's you need to replace the entire head or tail light if those go bad, which is just ridiculous.

[@dev1ce888]

I remember admiring the audi q5 headlight of our neighbor back in elementary

[@LS3ftw15]

I was hoping to hear him mention it here, because it goes along with his theory about how Audi tied the R8 to the rest of their updated line-up. The R8 started the design trend of decorative LED DRLs, but Audi rolled that out across all their models pretty quickly. So prospective customers saw the cool memorable headlights on the R8, and then saw the same styling element on an A4 or S5 and bough it.

[@always.elevate]

Looking back, Audi getting the R8 in Iron Man was such a smart move.

[@f-ckmyr0fil226]

Can you imagine t 😄🤣😁😀

[@f-ckmyr0fil226]

Very nice job for 😎😋😉😆

[@f-ckmyr0fil226]

Can you imagine t 😙☺🙂

[@watermalone5782]

Audi was featured on sooooo many films but they still made everyone's jaw drop to the cinema floor

[@christopherkohut8495]

The nsx was also in iron man (but didn’t come out until years later)

[@curbowman]

The R8 was the one who made LED daytime running lights a norm.

[@s1d3k1ckRO]

Didn't the prototype also have laser beams?

[@balint.palace]

I think LED daytime running lights became a norm because of an EU law

[@Gongolongo]

Mercedes and BMW came out nearly the same time. Audi just did it the best. Mercedes did the leds under the headlights and then bmw did the halo headlights.

Audi S6 C6 came with LED DRL (in front bumper) continue with facelift of C6 with DRLs integrated in headlights and since then it came a norm.

[@Aol8887]

@@balint.palace No its not a norm. You can have halogen DRL

[@danx337]

Tony Starks definitely helped setting its "Cool" image. Acura did sponsored Marvel at some point but didn't work out well.

[@bradenmcg]

yeah, they were using Acura as the cars for SHIELD, but it's hard to make a big ugly SUV be cool the way an R8 is. I think they even actually had a selling "Shield-ediiton" of the MDX? Could be wrong on that though...

[@danx337]

@@bradenmcg actually Tony did drive the NSX (prototype or concept at the moment and it was a drop-top!) in the movie once in the first avenger movie i believe.

[@maYdaY1337]

iRobot with Will Smith probably did something for the New Audis too. It pretty much was a preview on the R8 to build up the hype.

[@TheKingsapostle]

Because Acura is trash. So is Lexus.

[@maYdaY1337]

@@TheKingsapostle Is that why Lexus is leading most reliability statistics ? Cause they are trash ? makes sense. The LFA was a masterpiece. Just to late and to expensive. Their V8 is pretty good too. (LC500 and RC F)

[@FinancialShinanigan]

Iron Man tie-in was a brilliant marketing move as well.

[@sniper8579]

Very true!

[@pedrochevez2090]

irobot too

[@hanoimenace]

Acura copied that too

[@obhatti]

Thank you!!! Felt like this was a huge oversight on Doug's part, and was looking for this comment!

[@Clone1italy]

Just like the concept NSX

[@AGlimpseInside]

“Halo cars” should be a section on CARS AND Bids…

[@MrAnxious]

@hv a happy day thank you for this I needed it 🙏🏽

[@pancake5830]

@hv a happy day that looks like a phishing link

[@themoviedealers]

CARRRRRRRSS and BIDDDDSSSS

[@ValidPointsMade]

Lexus thought they were going to rely on the LFA's only party trick being the exhaust. I also thought they only leased the rather than let people buy them the first couple years

[@JoshPlayzJG]

Cars and beers

[@t0ddtu63]

Let's not forget Audi turbodiesels winning Le Mans as well at that time. So, to roll out the R8 and have a winning team with prototype race cars with a similar naming scheme, well that probably didn't hurt either.

[@comeberza]

The almost launched a diesel v12 audi r8 if I remember correctly

[@Real_MisterSir]

@@comeberza Yea they were experimenting with it, similar engine as the one they ended up putting in the V12 Q7 instead. Would have loved to see it happen in the R8 too, would have been such a unique piece of car history.

[@bocahdongo7769]

@@Real_MisterSir With bit of aero noise generator, it would be sounds like as spaceship

[@comeberza]

@@Real_MisterSir yes but diesel engines are way too heavy and unsporty to use

[@wtfrofllolxd]

@@comeberzawell it did work in their lemans cars.

[@ryanhodge2721]

“The R8 was to draw people into the showroom.” Hilariously true. I bought a 2008 Audi A6 off a guy, first owner, told me he originally went with his wife to get an R8 and his wife ended up wanting a new car. So they bought both, and now I drive the A6 his wife bought.

[@Dulc3B00kbyBrant0n]

it freaking works man I went to audi once to check out r8s the people were nice so recently having remembered that I went there and the dude straight up sold me a rs3 in a few minutes picking it up on friday

[@evanrozsa]

I had an 08 A6 too. 4.2?

[@ryanhodge2721]

@@evanrozsa 3.2 Quattro. I was looking at the 4.2s but with the drive I have to work it wasn’t economical. Then I saw the guys listing on Facebook marketplace, 150k miles for 2250 and I had to take it.

[@evanrozsa]

@@ryanhodge2721 That's awesome man! My A6 4.2 got totaled around 158k. I loved it but it was a terrible car

[@johnair1]

Lets not forget R8 was not quite so expensive and limited like the Lexus LFA. It was a very fast Sportscar with a slight edge to a supercar (DNA) whereas the LFA has the classic Supercar feel.

[@samyadav006]

Audi R8 design is just timeless IMO. It still looks modern and such attractive design! Which comes with a V8!

[@Scisca1a2a]

The V10 is the dream though...

[@matiasgaragemercedes]

I have r8 v8 and put me a smile every day driving to my work and other duties. To wallmart, to downtown, to purchase food. Wife and me car to everyday... Onle very few problems with potholes...

[@samyadav006]

@@matiasgaragemercedes living the best life I guess!

[@matiasgaragemercedes]

@@samyadav006 Living with this car maybe no the best life, because is a car to drive point A to B (special yes) but the car is reliable and not is very expensive, some work of manteniance are done very easy. Compared with gallardo Lambo, and a murcielago are thousands of dollars of diference.

[@samyadav006]

@@matiasgaragemercedes I’m amazed to hear that it’s reliable! But yeah compared to its maintenance against the murcielago and gallarado it’s not much because I have seen many drive R8 so badly and then just sell it and that’s affects the vehicle a lot 💰🔧. Well I just drive my Camry (as you can see in my videos) so seeing R8 it’s just wonderful! The attractive design is just something else! 👏🏻

[@thesprawl2361]

I still think the R8 is one of the most gorgeous, game-changing cars of the century. I remember first seeing one long before I ever became interested in cars and appreciating it in exactly the same way I'd appreciate any instantly classic piece of design. It didn't look like any other supercar - it wasn't intended to look angry, or threatening or brutal or showy. Just beautiful. That silhouette will go down in the history of car design as pretty much perfect.

[@AndreWakefield]

I always felt that the R8 was “introduced” in I, Robot where Will Smith drove a funky futuristic looking Audi coupe. I remember being a young teen and thinking that his car in the movie was super cool and then years later the R8 had resemblance to it

[@thesprawl2361]

@@AndreWakefield That's exactly where I saw it first too. I also remember coming away from that film thinking how gorgeous the car looked, and then I saw the R8 and it's basically the same shape, the same silhouette. It was clever marketing. Couldn't it drive sideways in the film? And do high speed 360 spins, because it had orbs instead of wheels...😁 Then Tony Stark started driving them and that was when they began to creep past saturation point. But still probably my favourite supercar ever from an aesthetic perspective.

[@57F100]

I honestly don't like the design, tbh I think it's ugly. I see what you mean though because it has very smooth lines. Not cup of tea though.

[@AndreWakefield]

@@thesprawl2361 Yeah Tony Stark in R8 was driving the real deal in Iron Man. Definitely helped put it on the map. I actually knew a guy who had an R8 and everyone was calling him Tony Stark lol

[@f-ckmyr0fil826]

Can you imagine t 😉🤣😃

[@TigerChamp99]

Audi R8 has a timeless styling IMO

[@Sbinott0]

The only car from that era that would look modern even today, it was a success as a halo car because they made one of the best looking cars ever

[@clothestravel]

Agreed, just as the TT did.

[@shield-u8f]

Definitely, especially the original one.

[@Biker_Gremling]

And then they face-lifted it and ruined it.

[@frankzappa3834]

Yeah it’s not even dated like those 2015 Acura’s

[@yash.kapoor]

Worth mentioning is that a big reason why the R8 was even developed in the first place was because of the Lamborghini Gallardo also being developed by Audi. It's almost as if they anyways had to make the Gallardo, so they then decided to make the most out of that investment by making the R8 to bolster the Audi brand as well, in combination with the other factors that you mentioned. Of course none of this takes away from how astonishingly good the R8 itself was, one of the best looking sportscars ever made along with the engine, manual 'box and dynamics.

[@nonikhanna1]

I agree. A lot of things happened to go right for this Halo Car effect to take place. The Le Mans wins by the R8, the new lineup

[@omarblanchfield6717]

Doesn’t hurt being in the first Ironman movie to kick off the MCU either.

[@michaeldurrett8388]

That's where I first heard of it.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Yep, and in Ironman 2 he had the convertible 👍

[@EverlastingPromises]

I'm shocked that Doug forgot about this fact. One of the biggest reasons I think it was so successfully known.

[@Layershift53]

And don´t forget iRobot

[@User39842D]

Yeah thats the first thing I thought of.

[@rob8810]

Doug does such an underrated job at putting things into perspective, love it

[@x-90]

He has a Dodge Caravan shirt, he’s in support of the Hellcat Minivan

[@MetraFan81]

If not a Hellcat, at least an R/T or SRT version. A minivan with a V8 engine is almost unheard of, and I'm sure it would be crazy.

[@x-90]

@@MetraFan81 the only fast minivan I know of is the Mercedes R63 AMG

[@jaaj7381]

@@x-90 the odyssey type r

[@f-ckmyr0fil826]

Very nice to be 😙😋😎

[@f-ckmyr0fil826]

Very good for you to 😙☺🙂

[@garythecyclingnerd6219]

This is a testament to Audi’s corporate culture and the executives willingness to invest in the company. I guarantee that nobody at my company could convince the C suite that we need to invest a huge sum of money on a halo product, at MUCH lower margin than we target, AND reinvest in the other products at the same time. R8’s success was a massive, coordinated effort, that needed a multi year schedule that the company stuck to. There’s good reason to be reserved, many companies did have halo products blow up in their face, but if you want to double your market share in 3 years, you need to be bold and smart

[@pan4632]

The funny thing about the automotive industry is that corporate bean counters are consistently proven to be less financially savvy than those who legitimately care about the brand image, prestige, and critical reception of the cars. Audi does a good job of prioritizing these values to drive financial success. Case in point: VW execs desperately wanted to demote the next gen A4 to the MQB Platform (FWD biased, transverse mounted engine used in the A3) to cut roughly $1 Billion from the budget to develop and produce the next gen A4. Doing this would have resulted in the next A4 being ruthlessly trashed by every magazine, journalist, youtuber, etc. for poor driving dynamics. This would be bad because Audi currently already struggles with complaints of driving dynamics, even in their MLB platform vehicles. Common sense thankfully prevailed and Audi corporate decided that upholding the brand's image and engineering prowess was more important in the long run than reducing development costs on one of their most popular models.

[@MrHu58]

@@pan4632 VW have had some dumbass ideas with making Audi into a VW clone, more than they already are. They wanted to put the 5 cyl engine from the RS3 in the new MK8 Golf R, but Audi said fuck no. It would've made the RS3 irrelevant.

[@jsquared1013]

@@pan4632 you make a good point. The automotive industry can't just run by the numbers like the bean counters do in other industries. A car is usually the second-largest purchase someone is going to make (after a house) and it's a fairly long-term frequent-use item that has a significant element of emotion and intangibles attached to the decision-making when it's time to buy one. And bean-counters are notoriously bad when dealing with intangibles.

[@Layershift53]

@@jsquared1013 It´s also the only product people buy where you litteraly crawl into. Imagine slithering into an iPhone, it better be comfy.

[@sinnaever]

Let’s be honest… the LED strip DRL headlight styling queue from the R8 is what made Audi popular. Everyone started copying that style.

[@DrZedDrZedDrZed]

Came here to make this comment. Saw that you made this comment. Thank you. Can’t tell you how distinct they looked on a rainy downtown Toronto street at night the first time I saw one in the flesh. Was unreal design at the time. Never seen anything like it.

[@el_manu_el_]

Yeah! That is exactly what I remember from the first time I saw one. The sleek design and the cool headlights.

[@JohnMurrayOP]

Jeremy Clarkson called them Ferry Lights. Always thought that was one of the funniest things he said on top gear.

[@deject]

Spot on about the LFA. A truly incredible car that was just far too expensive.

[@ZeerXX]

and now they have doubled in value.

[@abhishekrao1525]

And Lexus still lost money on each sale. The development was just that expensive.

[@MS-mr4zm]

Also…..ummmm….it wasn’t really that great or fast in any real sense vs the competition. Sounded good though. GTR annihilated it in real world.

[@danx337]

I believe in the US, Lexus only offered LFA with leasing option in the beginning and later offered purchasing option. Go figure why it failed in terms of sales.

[@jsquared1013]

@@MS-mr4zm that's not an accurate statement. The LFA was on par with the 599 performance-wise, and the R35 at the time was in its infancy and not nearly as capable as the current variants.

[@adamthompson4072]

He is right about seeing R8s more than any of the others. The most recent I seen was in January, salt and slushy snow built up on the interstate where the plow trucks just couldn't get. I'm merging from the on ramp in a 21 year old truck and in the next lane is a 1st gen R8 Spyder with the V8 and a 6speed just cruising right along like it just another day. Much respect for that owner

[@JTSuarez]

Seems like Doug still hasn’t recovered the More Doug password

[@neihomai8]

i get it'z a joke, but actually different youtube channelz uze the very zame google account. anyway, i think if he will alwayz upload the "more doug demuro" videoz on thiz channel for more viewz, he zhould juzt cloze hiz "more doug demuro" channel officially. that will make him look lezz view-hungry.

[@RadDadisRad]

@hv a happy day no wants to watch your Islam video

[@bobcoats2708]

@@neihomai8 Your ‘s’ key broke dude?

[@neihomai8]

@@bobcoats2708 that'z right, lol

[@slowspecv69]

@@neihomai8 wait for real your S doesn’t work😂

[@BenilJoseph]

The sad thing is, lexus didn't make a single dime off the LFA, they were selling it at a loss.

[@comeberza]

And it wasnt what the Audi r8 was, the r8 flooded the market because it was logical, usable

[@eriksantoso1741]

It's great car but when new people quite "not appreciated" in term of price.Just that

[@mrjdmtunerboy.1463]

At least LFA price is up now a lot car collectors looking for LFA. With good price

[@f-ckmyr0fil226]

Get a little more 😄🤣😁😀

[@f-ckmyr0fil226]

Very good and good 😍😋😉😆

[@konczdavid]

The perfect Halo car is Warthog. Stop spreading misinformation.

[@Sahidable]

Underrated comment

[@Charlie-Charlot]

@@Sahidable not for very long

[@tomljc2006]

@@Charlie-Charlot lol

[@ImARealHumanPerson]

@hv a happy day no

[@sadtoast6122]

Thank om only here to find your comment sir ... will argue gauss hog vs original later

[@sedzanithilivhali882]

The daytime running lights also contributed to Audi's signature cool look. And it was copied in other models like the A4, A5 etc and that gave the R8 a strong tie in with the rest of the Audi lineup

[@Dipeness]

Just realized doug introduces himself in the third person

[@king4aday4aday]

Right, it's his brand to start off with "THISSSSSS...", and when the subject is not a car, it's himself and his own opinion. To me it conveys that it's just a guy's opinion that you don't have to agree or disagree with, it's like he's putting his opinion out as one of the "options"

[@user-cv2fd5xl9b]

@@king4aday4aday damn lmao i dont think theres that much depth of thought into that decision to be honest

[@briannewton1450]

Good marketing for himself lol

[@JasonLambek]

Metrics be damned, the LFA is a success just by existing.

[@redmonster021]

Lexus lost so much money developing the car that even the 400k price tag couldn't justify the development costs

[@Micherson]

LFA IS A FAIL SUCCESS. AMAZING CAR. BUT IT IS A FAIL. Price way to high. And it just took way to long to develop. And being a lexus didn't help at all. And not having a dual clutch certainly didn't help.

[@AidanRitchie]

ehhhhhh

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

Oh, so it _does_ exist? Well, okay, I know it does, but I've never seen one, even at a car show. Supposedly, Lexus quizzed potential buyers, looking for people who would actually drive the car on the street as opposed to instantly garaging them. I guess that didn't work out as planned ...

[@mediumunwell]

Ehh it was a flop, bar none. A fantastically engineered and with an engine that stirred up emotions flop

[@mraihan7400]

Doug, we gotta remind you, you've got another channel to feed.

[@fb1000000]

@@f-ckmyr0fil560 she's right 😏

[@JOKBO1]

I can't believe you didn't mention the influence that Iron Man and iRobot had on the success of this car. Those things were massive.

[@tfrogginhfroggin]

Yes!

[@DirectorsGarage]

Oh Doug, the masterstroke was putting Tony Stark behind the wheel. They did press tours with Robert Downey Jr. and THE CAR. The car became integral to the most successful movie franchise since Star Wars. If only Darth Vader had driven an NSX. It was also the car that started the eyebrow running lights that every manufacturer tried to copy.

[@_BangDroid_]

Don't forget The Transporter franchise (for Audi overall)

[@jsquared1013]

@@_BangDroid_ which is funny because IIRC the first one featured an older 7-series

[@enforcement2]

A masterstroke, advertisement itself already is an asinine abomination but advertising something in an inane movie and then happily reporting to be submissive to the farce of mindless consumerism? Man, come on!

[@DirectorsGarage]

@@enforcement2 I'm going to point out something you're apparently not comfortable with: Advertising works. Do you have any idea how much money Audi spent to get that placement? And how much money they spent to hype the movie tie-in? The inane film made more than $500 million dollars, and launched a multi-billion dollar franchise. You underestimate the powers of the dark side. Oh wait, wrong reference.

[@calotono]

You forgot to mention that the R8 was Tony Stark’s car. I think that was a big factor, too.

[@FebreGundam]

I came here to comment that, the first Iron Man was a HUGE success (it launched the MCU afterall) and the fact that Tony Stark drove a R8 certainly had a big push for the car

[@enforcement2]

Imagine the inane people coming here and discussing a gimmicky, inane movie as having convinced them to purchase a relatively pricey vehicle.

[@jamesrosewell9081]

@@enforcement2 That's a relatively ignorant comment.

[@aayushkadam7610]

Doug is a type of guy who forgot password for his second channel

[@zoltore23]

If Doug had kids their names would be Quirk and Feature.

[@arikalogerakis5311]

genius

[@jayd2929]

Stolen comment

[@antesvlogs1384]

Quirk Demuro and Feature Demuro

[@JoseRodriguez-ey7ju]

@@jayd2929 Stolen comment

[@taelorwatson9822]

He does have kids. They're both blue

[@Aezetyr]

Another thing to note: the Audi brand was very prevalent in the early days of the MCU; the R8 was featured in the first Iron Man flick, and was used by SHIELD in several movies and the television series.

[@f-ckmyr0fil226]

Very good for me But 😁😂😃

[@f-ckmyr0fil226]

Can i just say 🤗😋😉

[@f-ckmyr0fil226]

He was not the best 😙☺🙂

[@tfrogginhfroggin]

Yes!

[@LouisSubearth]

Yeah, but so was Acura, especially in the 2012 Avengers film.

[@zalansz9450]

I only see the Avus, that sort of came alive and lived vicariously through the R8. I never forget, how striking it was to go see the Avus Quattro at the dealership back in the days.

[@ThatOGOne]

Not rocket science to figure out why Doug’s not posting on his second channel. There’s a finite number of different cars and I’d implore you to even rattle 5 different cars off the top of your head that would be interesting and quirky enough to post a full review of. This channel is revenue source and content hub number one, and these videos still fit in the scope of Doug’s videoscape as being informative automotive content.

[@Lowkey_DeAndre]

I remember seeing the R8 concept in I-robot when I was like 5 years old. That car and the BMW from NFS most wanted really started me on my path to being a big car enthusiast💯

[@oakoak4Burma]

same ! I remember beating the final boss in NFS Carbon just to get that red R8. It didn't happen lol the car stayed in bonus features .

[@lancelaprarie6128]

Cmon man, Audi partnered with marvel and all the cars in iron man series and others which got more people to look Audi’s way. Master stroke.

[@USMFAN1996]

Acura has done that exact same thing though and I guess it hasn’t worked

[@patrick7695]

@@USMFAN1996 they did? I honestly never saw an nsx in a movie like fr...

[@RealScottPowers]

@@patrick7695 If I recall without looking I think Tony's car at the end of Avengers is the NSX.

[@patrick7695]

@@RealScottPowers i only remember him driving audis He had a convertible r8 in the 1st 2 movies i think Then in the 3rd one it was audi sedan i cant remember, probably an A8 or smth Avengers is like between iron man 2 and 3 Gotta check it out Edit kzbin.info/www/bejne/innRnpmCd7OCpKs You were right LOL

[@seraphimvalkyrin4543]

@@RealScottPowers You are correct.

[@WomboAnimals]

The way stark drives his R8 towards his Malibu villa🔥🔥

[@805NAVE]

Didn’t stark also have an NSX concept ?

[@Aki_Lesbrinco]

Yes but the R8 was featured in the first Iron Man moview and the car axtually exited when it was featured. The NSX that we saw in the first Avengers movie was a prototype and the actual production NSX didn't get to market until a couple of years later.

[@tfrogginhfroggin]

Yes!

[@havardstle3788]

The part of Audi not being cool in the 90's is not true in Europe. In the 90' s there where the quatro's, the S2, S4, and later S6 and the RS2. The legacy from the rally S1 was allso verry strong. Growing up in the 90' Audi's was what you wanted! That's why I in the 00s I had an 2,2 S4, 2,2 S6 and an 2,2 RS2.

[@jsquared1013]

In Europe, yes, but in the US we didn't get the S2 or RS2, and hardly anyone knew about rallying. Seeing an ur-S4/S6 was like seeing a unicorn. Only crazies like me who watched WRC and Le Mans on the Speedvision special-order satellite channel knew anything about that 😁

[@cl4589]

I love this "history lessons" with Doug. Hope to see more in the future!

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

The Audi R8 aged so well over the past 13 years!

[@RadicoolToons]

Yh, gen 1 could still looks new, it literally pioneered the the led lights trend

[@neeranii3806]

doug gets kidnapped “before you shooot me be sure to check out cars and bids”

[@neeranii3806]

@hv a happy day imagine trying to convert people by sending links in doug demuros comments reply’s

[@santiagocalderon3261]

maybe they bought the kidnapping vehicle on cars and bids

[@dannymartial7997]

The 1st gen R8 is so timeless, it looks newer than the latest R8 model…

[@FaresDjebbar]

The rear end on that car is one the most great designs to date!

[@ViPER5RT10]

Check your eyes after saying that second statement

[@RadicoolToons]

I agree on the timeless part but lets not get ahead of ourselves here saying it's more modern compared to gen 2

[@snakeeyes9246]

My favourite R8 model is the first version of the Mark 2. But I agree. It's aged so well.

[@dannymartial7997]

@@RadicoolToons I'm talking about the looks, you idiot. Of course the new one is more modern. But the looks are trendy and ages like shit. 1st gen still looks futuristic while the latest gen just looks current

[@Stigs722]

Doug under a bridge in LA at tent city: “Be sure to check out CARS and BIDS”

[@23ofSeptember]

I think the Audi TT is what put Audi on the map, and then it was LED lights, the enormous grill and movies like "The Transporter" that made them cool. The R8 was more like a cherry on top, but Audi would still be where it is at today without the R8. R8 sales are horrible by the way.

[@bradenmcg]

"Transporter" was pre-R8 though (first one was 2002), the car in those movies was the S8 sedan.

[@brodyvermilyea114]

Doug is the type of guy to marry his wife because he likes her quirks and features

[@arnavwaghmare3324]

aint that everyone?

[@nopers2223322]

I mean that's why I married mine

[@CarranzaAlberto]

@@arnavwaghmare3324 yep

[@brodyvermilyea114]

@@nopers2223322 you married her because she's "quirky"?

[@EmazingGuitar]

Aren’t we all searching for the best quirks and features?

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

People don’t walk into dealerships like they used to, they avoid them like the plague!

[@ViolentMLG]

Kind of true. If you're shopping around for cars and willing to try multiple brands, you want to test drive. I'd say you probably see higher-intent people at dealers.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@ViolentMLG That is so true. The serious shoppers will put in the time. Tesla makes it easy, you just schedule a time and a Model to drive.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@ViolentMLG I prefer to use the dealer’s websites for most of the transactions.

[@olivergrizzly6346]

True. I won't buy anything unless I can make a deal via text.

[@ricksays7133]

That’s because millenials and the Gen. Z are more informed with media outlets like KZbin on using money wisely and where and when to buy a vehicle.

[@benwilders1354]

Fun fact, the R8 was the first car that only had LED lights…

[@josephdonnelly3169]

In 1991 when people walked into the Acura dealership they saw the NSX on the floor looking spectacular, then they saw the Acura Integra, and the Acura Legend; not the cars you mentioned which came out much later. I know firsthand, because I was one of those people. I purchased the Integra which was basically a very dependable and good car for the time, still left you looking over your shoulder at the NSX as you drive away.

[@danielburgin28]

he's not talking about the 90s NSX

[@MROKJIA]

I love Audi. The underdog catches up with great quality and performance

[@Jesse__H]

Your editor is definitely earning their keep, here. This video is much more snappy with the added light-hearted edits.

[@saikrishna6951]

Iron Man was responsible for the success of R8, eventually Audi

[@nukexD]

Was thinking the same thing

[@tfrogginhfroggin]

Yes!

[@Box0rz]

The best Halo car is obviously the Warthog.

[@x-90]

r/technicallythetruth

[@devongee1776]

Facts that's the OG

[@griffithd05]

I'm stoked Doug has an editor because not being able to see the cars he was talking about in his earlier videos was a downside, but perhaps the editor can take it a l i t t l e easy on the editorial quips and sound effects.

[@duralate]

No shut up

[@fark111]

Audi's new lineup also killed it with the introduction of LED headlights. The entire lineup looked sweet and so futuristic

[@SteveGOML]

Halo Cars by Brand: Merc: AMG GT Porsche: 918 Nissan: GTR Acura: NSX Mitsubishi: 3000GT BMW: i8 Audi: R8 Lamborghini: Aventador Ferrari: LaFerrari Toyota: Supra Lexus: LFA Mazda: RX-7 McLaren: Senna Ford: GT Chevy: Corvette Dodge: Viper Tesla: Roadster Honda: Civic Type-R Kia: Stinger

[@Rival1998]

3000gt over evo?

[@SteveGOML]

@@Rival1998 3000GT was the Halo car $80K-$110K super GT, Evo is a beast too but in terms of getting brand attention in the 90s it was the 3000GT for sure

[@KayJblue]

Not i8, In terms of significance the 3 series And price is the 7 series.

[@KayJblue]

Mclaren is also more like the Sabre/ Senna if not the 765LT

[@SteveGOML]

@@KayJblue agree with Senna 😎

[@joshbacon8241]

The reason why the Gallardo’s 5.2-litre V10 was detuned for use in the first R8 V10 - 517bhp instead of the Gallardo’s 552bhp - was so it wouldn’t steal sales from the Gallardo, because why would people buy the more expensive Gallardo if it wasn’t going to be any faster than the R8 V10 sister car if the two cars had the same power as each other? They wouldn’t, so Gallardo sales would have plummeted as a result!

[@oryenm]

man the audi nicer

[@govinlock8568]

Gallardo was the higher trim for R8, or vice versa.

[@matthewelliott2213]

I hear the R8 called the, "Tony Stark" car more than its actual name-- the Marvel connection was the key.

[@davidfoster2570]

THANK YOU!!! I wanted him to mention it, but he didn’t

[@nate8088]

Exactly. That's the reason everyone knows the car.

[@skylerssupercarlife348]

My license plate doesn't say HALOCAR... It's says IRONM4N. The movies sold me completely on buying an R8.

[@bkgnkprt]

Marvel studios does really like the audi offerings and concept cars.

[@tiagodeaviz]

That's another Halo car effect :) everyone wants to show it off.

[@misterdragzon]

Born in the late 90s, the original R8 was and always will be an absolute legend in my mind. A classic I’d love to own one day.

[@LukeBass1000]

Let's not forget the movie Transporter 2 - released in 2005, starring Jason Statham which featured that sleek and sexy Audi A8. I believe that definitely turned a few heads

[@Manu-Official]

The continuity mistakes in there made me howl. In some shots the car's automatic, in other shots it's a 6 speed manual. Cringe when the dude shifts it into S mode and it's cut to make it look like he's shifting a gear up... Otherwise great movie, wished they did not do the Fast N Furious silly editing on gear changing.

[@JundaComputersGmbH]

When Doug forgot the password to his More Doug DeMuro account! 😂😂😂

[@neilknight2379]

To be fair it’s easier to develop a compelling sports car when Lamborghini does like 40% of the work for you

[@80PercentAshamedOfU]

Yep. And the other 60% being from the VW parts bin. The LFA was insanely advanced and took over a decade to develop. And even at the $400k price range, the lost money on each one sold. Similar story with the NSX, which was more of a way to showcase Honda’s Hybrid tech. Supporting a new supercar with an entire lineup AND selling it a $180k? I adore the R8, but you’re completely right. It wasn’t difficult at all for Audi and was a perfect storm for them.

[@hanro7430]

Work smarter not harder

[@arnehoek4260]

@@80PercentAshamedOfU The VW-Audi Group obviously also has that insanely advanced car; it's called a Bugatti. The Veyron back in the days was also sold at a (huge) loss.

[@doabarrellroll69]

@@arnehoek4260 the VW group lost a hideously high amount of money on the Veyron program, and it was really because Ferdinand Piech (I think that's how you write it) wanted the Veyron to blow the doors off of basically anything that had wheels, budget was not a problem, and he didn't care if it lost his company money, the Golfs and Passsats would make the money back in no time.

[@danielstefanovic2604]

@@80PercentAshamedOfU Yeah thats why Toyota`s current halo car the supra is a rebadged z4 with some tweaks, its just to expensive to develop cars whos not gonna sell alot.

[@thebananamelon5065]

Doug doesn’t open his videos with “hi I’m Doug demuro” no he opens up by spreading his arms wide open saying “THIS is Doug Demuro”

[@bocahdongo7769]

As long as he doesn't use his Audi for jumping stunt like he did with CTSV

[@cnxexpat1862]

When I grew up, Audi was "famous" in Germany for being a car driven by boring men wearing a hat. This changed with the quattro, the winning of the rally championship and the famous ad (what was fake) when an Audi climbed a ski jump. At latest with the RS family cars Audi became trendy in Germany. But the RS cars came late to the US.

[@smac919]

When I think of Audi, I think of the Quattro, Walter Rohrl and Michele Mouton.

[@ETr4d3]

LF-A - my dream car. And I think its a good thing for the LF-A being so expensive, i cannot afford it, but I can probably afford an LC500. And can get me closer to my dream car. Very similar body/style design.

[@kcars7361]

I’m glad that this super car is getting the attention that it deserves.

[@HeyItsLuski]

Its kinda had this reputation for years bro

[@80s_Boombox_Collector]

Even with its lame conservative preppie styling

[@Yaro2]

@@80s_Boombox_Collector mate the R8 is great looking, it has a beautiful silhouette and captures the Audi feel perfectly (simple and clean), I’d assume you also don’t like the new Maserati MC20 for the same reason.

[@Aki_Lesbrinco]

@@80s_Boombox_Collector conservative? When it came out there was nothing that looked even close to it.

[@80s_Boombox_Collector]

@@Yaro2 To me it looks like a reworked TT. Too conservative. But then, I guess that's the German ethos.

[@datboirell]

The R8 is still one of my dreams cars, because the old gen model was just the best car I ever seen. Especially when they used it in iron man and in transformers revenge of the fallen😂‼️. One day I will have it ✅

[@gnashsang]

Even with the future of the R8 in question, the new Audi E-Tron GT has stepped in and hopefully will step up.

[@lowrider69yearsago58]

Audis future is in safe hands. Their designer is doing his job on point

[@SamCableguy]

The first time I ever saw the R8 was in Forza Motorsport 3 for Xbox 360 in 2009 (it was even on the box cover). I was blown away by how unreal and gorgeous this vehicle was

[@jrockrsx1144]

The R8 V8 has been my favorite car ever since I saw one, it just looked so cool and sophisticated, with its low profile, the side-blades, and those beautiful led lights. I can't wait to own one someday.

[@whoknows8678]

Awww, look at lil' Dougie goin' all Scotty Kilmer with the cartoony pop-up BS. LOL

[@maximilianl4453]

I will always remember clarkson saying: "Other sportscars are like walking a cow backwards downstairs... The R8 is like buttering Keira Knightley" or something like that

[@enforcement2]

If you are going to regurgitate such complacency, the first mentioned last name was accordingly typed out without a capital first letter, I guess...

[@maximilianl4453]

@@enforcement2 Wow! Anyways...

[@Just_Pele]

For the 2nd gen NSX the failure was obvious, even at the time. The lead designer didn't have a clue what made the original NSX so awesome and so revered, and turned it into another hybrid tech demo (and also slower than all the others). What a terrible concept it was.

[@michaelfjmusic]

The front end of the new NSX actually looks like a 4th-gen Toyota Prius. It's not a terrible-looking car for sure, but what the hell kind of relation does it have whatsoever to the original?

[@LeonCheung]

@@michaelfjmusic I think many cars become a victim of their own previous success when it's a line that was stopped for a significant amount of time then revived. It's not like a Mustang where they just go gen after gen evolving. If you stop making a legendary car then bring back the name plate 10 years later, it really seems like people are unwilling to accept it as a new halo car, but rather compare it to what they remember as legend of the previous car and not objectively on what the car accomplishes. Strangely the Japanese top execs never learn with this. They might have been much more successful if the 2nd gen NSX was named something else maybe HSX? The RX8 and CRZ were also victims of this. Neither of those were even named the same thing as their legendary predecessors, but everyone saw them as spiritual successors and I think that ultimately destroyed their chances as being looked at objectively. The Mini brand would be a good example of a legendary name plate revival, though it's been heavily diluted today to the point where I'm not really sure what to make of it.

[@jamesengland7461]

Faster, cheaper, more stylish! The new NSX makes the competition all of those.

[@aaryeshg.6526]

@@LeonCheung personally I think Honda should have made the Dualnote concept real (that was fantastic hybrid sedan concept). Mid engined sedan with a 3.5L V6 and electric motors in the front for AWD. Can seat 4 people as well. This is what could have been Honda's halo machine and reflects Honda's practical supercar mindset. This works better as a hybrid than what they did with the 2016 NSX.

[@cyjan3k823]

It was great idea, Way ahead of its Time. Get nissan gtr engine inside and anything close to tesla motor and you would have Performance marvel, they tried to do this when tech wasnt there

[@TheZapper42]

I bought a first-gen S5 (4.2 V8, 6MT) the first time I wanted a fast and sporty car. At that time, Audi's brand image was roughly equal to that of BMW and Mercedes thanks to the R8 coming out a few years earlier. Mercedes was out because they didn't offer manuals, and the E92 M3 was slightly out of my price range. I chose the V8-powered S5 and have always loved it, but the R8 remained my dream car. This year the dream came true and I bought myself a first-gen R8 (4.2 V8, gated 6MT). I love that thing beyond words.

[@dannymartial7997]

Another thing that fed into its success is the fact that I, Robot came out 2 years earlier and it featured the concept car, Audi RSQ. And the R8 obviously took design cues from that futuristic concept car.

[@23bamboosaclose]

I have never seen an LFA in person to this day.

[@enforcement2]

Aside from the impractical and tendentially inequitable aspect of supposed supplies and demands, if you think about it, in generalised form, could this not be seen as not necessarily a negative point?

[@bradlemmond]

I'm surprised Doug didn't mention how Honda gave everyone blue balls by teasing a new NSX for so many years before they finally _released_ the NSX

[@SHUBHAM_675R]

Phew finally someone talked about it and pointed out some real good point

[@johndelacroix9909]

I remember seeing an R8 commercial on youtube back in 08 or 09. I so loved it that i downloaded the video. Damn. I loved R8 so much back then.

[@sethie_shots]

Sitting behind is his “Porsche/Audi” wagon. A real life Doug wet dream car

[@andrewmurphy1812]

This would make a great Harvard business review case, thanks Doug

[@almehgub]

I can tell you that even owning one being a daily doesn’t take anything from how special is this car

[@FreakishPower]

Some thoughts about Audi and the R8: - Parents bought the 5000 Turbo in 1985 - that car was phenomenal and changed styling forever. - After having a bunch of M3s, a 911 Turbo and now an AMG GTS, I will start my next sport car search with the R8. - The original R8 I actually hated bc it only had a 420hp V8 from the RS4 and cost well into the $100's. No chance am I buying that expensive of a car with a common place powerplant. The 1st model should have had the V10. - You are totally right about the Audi brand - they were always the outsider looking in, but they successfully made into the club. Kudos for them. - Drooling over an RS6 Avant wagon. Will wait for them to come down in price on the used car market. I might be an all Audi household in a few years WTF

[@sebastiaomendonca1477]

The original R8 V8 still looks new even 13 years later

[@danhall5761]

The R8 was dated in 2008 let alone now, what new cars are you driving? The interior is awful

[@sebastiaomendonca1477]

@@danhall5761 I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but god damn some people have terrible opinions

[@dgproductionsrc3760]

The More Doug DeMuro channel is probably for sale lol

[@ScorpioIsland]

The NSX also looks like a civic concept car, not a desirable super car

[@goldengod5915]

Every time I see one in person, I’m kind of disappointed with the reality of how they look in person

[@sebyfloristean9514]

Especially from the rear The front is overstyled but the rear is too boring

[@Co-km6cl]

Apply water to burnt area.

[@matte8441]

I agree. I was chilling at a park yesterday and sat near the entrance where all the cars came in and a new NSX showed up, but i noticed the base Alfa Romeo Giulia behind it first before i realized the NSX was there.

[@gchewning]

Sounds exactly like what Lotus is doing right now. Lotus is about to BLOW UP.

[@FreakishPower]

THIS was one of your best videos ever. I enjoy your insights into the car world, cutting across brands and time. Please do some more industry/model/brand analysis for us.

[@KeliK1]

The first gen R8 still looks so fresh, like it is a brand new car for 2022! The first time I saw one, that was back in 2019, I couldn't take my eyes off it. What a stunner!

[@Sahidable]

The NSX would've been more successful if it wasn't called an NSX, and it didn't cost so much.

[@taelorwatson9822]

I've heard that there was a time some NSX were selling under 20K

[@SamAbraham]

I think it also came out too late, wasn’t it delayed a lot? Car looks great but was somewhat dated I feel when it first came out. The whole front grille beak thing is already mostly out of Acura’s lineup except for the NSX

[@pearly1789]

There's just nothing special feeling about it. Even at half the price for me it's still kinda meh. And I'm a Honda fanboy who followed its development excitedly for years. My brain knows it's a fast car but I just can't care, maybe it's good for looking at pictures of before bed to help fall asleep?

[@aaryeshg.6526]

@@pearly1789 I feel like, since they were going the hybrid route, they should have made the Acura DNX, a mid engined V6 hybrid AWD sedan. It's a super sedan in Honda/Acura's practical supercar mindset. They showcased this car in the early 2000s and even in Gran Turismo. Loved driving it in the game, everything about it just made sense. Instead they just copied and went the generic 2 seat sportscar that everyone else was doing without it standing out much.

[@IanHobday]

"An exotic sports car coming from a German brand, something BMW and Mercedes had never done at **any** point in the past..." lol. So the BMW M1 doesn't count?

[@MS-mr4zm]

Kinda also forgetting THE German sports car brand- Porsche- not like they never made an exotic halo car…..lol

[@IanHobday]

@@MS-mr4zm He did say BMW and Mercedes so I didn't mention the 959, Porsche's F40 rival. Ignoring the M1 is a pretty big miss by Daddy Doug.

[@agtshaw]

the m1 was like the LFA, it was too expensive and evrryone forgot about jt

[@mancubwwa]

or the original 300 SL gullwing... He said any point...

[@screentime3891]

@@agtshaw also, the M1 was arguably more Italian than German.

[@spencerv6133]

Doug wears me out watching him wave his arms around

[@ZachMiller_M4R]

I’d say the 2017 Ford GT however was a beautifully timed halo car. People were excited about it as a product, they sent it racing in WEC, and along side it you had the second gen Raptor, the GT350 & GT350R, the new Focus RS (first time in American dealers), and other stuff like the Fusion Sport. I remember how excited some of my co workers were about Ford at the time.

[@YeeSoest]

Doug is 100% right, AudiFans! I was born in 86 and grew up with 2 german premium brands plus Porsche. Audi slowly made the transition up from it's VW base to that upper echelon, the TT was a good pointer and the R8 made it clear that they were there to stay. I hated the initial headlights with their christmas lights single LED spots instead of one band of lights like BMW did AT THAT TIME, AUDI... But it was amazing to see and it became somewhat common for what is was, people knew it was absolutely good enough to be taken seriously...great Halo car! Also: Many buyers chose "CU 911" as their license plate, giving it Bonus Points for funny Porsche disses ;)

[@pinut187]

The main success of Audi isn’t due to the R8. Audi was giving cars to all celebrities and have these appear in all the magazines, newspapers etc.

[@bcrandeis]

I think some of it really had to do with their marketing as well. As a marketing and car fanatic, some of the most truly fantastic commercials I've seen are Audi commercials.

[@msmoniz]

I'm 47 and Doug is absolutely right that back in the 80's and 90's, Audi as a brand was not seen as the same level as BMW and Mercedes. At best, it was seen as a step up from VW, but in no way in the same brand class as BMW and Mercedes. Not even close!

[@jakobhansen6889]

I remember reading this post on Jalopnik written by Doug. It's still just and enjoyable and educational to watch on his KZbin.

[@saratc660]

The amount of photos and pictures added due to his editor is awesome and I love it

[@julianpottermusic]

in 2019, Mercedes global sales were only ~1.3x that of Audi!