Nice Audi R8 ...

... except it's actually a Ford Probe. Yes, really--take a look. If you take a minute to really look, you can see it in the proportions and the wheels. The interior picture is a dead giveaway.

I don't often say this about kit cars, but this actually looks really good--there's something about the flowing rear that really works. For the sake of the proud driver, I hope it's a Probe Turbo--I can imagine Audi purists tarring and feathering those responsible for this sacrilege.

--Chris H.

Comments

[Cookie the Dog's Owner on November 20, 2008 at 06:43 PM]

The problem with most kit cars is that the outlines of the donor car aren't disguised. In this case, if you hadn't told me it was a kit, I'd never have seen it.

Lovely.

[Rob the SVX Guy on November 20, 2008 at 07:36 PM]

The problem with most kit cars is the engine. What is the point of a ferrari with a v6?

[Mochi Mochi on November 20, 2008 at 11:25 PM]

what's the point of a ferrari for most people? they want to show off! kit cars are funny - its a funny way to show off. like cookie says most betray their innards. this one looks pretty clean. if nothing else they are a good joke. what could be better - especially in the north east - when your body is completely rotted away, restore your beloved ford maverick to be a pristine audi R8!

[B3nn3tt on November 21, 2008 at 06:04 AM]

That interior isn't a Probe - it's a 99-00 Mercury Cougar. I own one, I see those gauges every day.

The K-series V6 mentioned in the linked thread is indeed Probe-spec, though. So who knows.

[Steaming Pile on November 21, 2008 at 06:17 AM]

Interesting thing, they sold the Probe in Germany (one of our neighbors there had one), and "Probe" in German means "trial" or "prototype." In other words, a beta version - something not quite ready for prime time.

[tim on November 21, 2008 at 07:11 AM]

...so if this is really a Ford Probe, where does a person get this conversion kit?

[Chris Hafner on November 21, 2008 at 08:12 AM]

Rob the SVX Guy:
"The problem with most kit cars is the engine."

The problem with pointing out "the problem" with kit cars is that it implies there's just one problem with kit cars.

[SwedishMetal on November 21, 2008 at 10:09 AM]

that isn't a kit car, that's an overgrown appearance package

[JB on November 21, 2008 at 06:23 PM]

Let's see...an Audi R8 is more than most people yearn in a year...or maybe two or three. They're rare enough that I've never seen one (no, I don't live a 902XX Zip code).
I'm sure Audi and its lawyers will have a field day with this, but I'm not sure I see the harm.
It's being sold to people who could never buy a real R8.
Like the Cobra and its many fiberglass offspring, and the old Miami Vice "Daytona" on a Corvette chassis, the car is so exclusive, and expensive, most will assume that whenever they see one, it's a replica they're looking at.

Back in the 80s, I recall seeing in Car and Driver a blatant Mercedes 450/380/560SL rip-off that Chrysler did for fun based on a LaBaron.
And circa 1974, someone took a new second generation Monte Carlo and put a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud-like front clip on it. (The Rolls lawyers were not amused).

Maybe the real question is why hasn't someone made a great looking car everyone can afford?

Or maybe, it's the rarity of expensive cars that make them attractive.

Either way, the "common people" want (and deserve) to have great looking cars.

[Rob the SVX guy on November 21, 2008 at 08:31 PM]

JB: SVXs can be had for under 5 grand. :P

[Asterio on November 23, 2008 at 01:38 PM]

Awesomeness aside, I am an avid R8 fan and was shocked, angered, and fascinated by this all at the same time.

[Thomas Liang on November 29, 2008 at 08:22 PM]

It's a Mercury Cougar, not a Ford Probe

[John Timms on February 09, 2009 at 10:06 PM]

I have a 97 Probe with only 32,000Kms, and it is flawless. It would be a perfect donor car. Does any one know the manufacturer of this kit.

[JAMBO on May 28, 2010 at 08:16 PM]

Im wondering what are the most common problems with a real Audi R8, the maintenance issues. Im really thinking about buying one!!!! is it a driving car day in day out?