Things You Didn't Know About The Audi R8
Here at the WT3, we -- and I do mean that royally -- like to keep it real. With the economy in a flat spin and heading out to sea ("Mayday, mayday! Mav's in trouble!"), it just feels like the right time to debate the virtues of a $130,000 supercar. Our long-term Audi R8 is like flying business class: it seems ostentatious and overpriced until you experience it -- and then you wonder how you ever lived without it. Three more things you didn't know about the R8, coming right up.
3. There's too much wind buffeting with the windows down. Let's start on a negative note. If you find yourself driving along the Pacific Coast Highway on a crisp and clear February day, you're going to want to put the windows down. In the R8, that's only a good idea below about 60 mph. Above that speed, the buffeting in the cabin gets so oppressive that it's like you only put one window down instead of two. Pity, because then you'll put the windows up in self-defense and hear considerably less of the 4.2-liter V8's symphonic exhaust note.
2. R tronic is actually good at something. By now you've surely heard that Audi's R tronic single-clutch automated manual is no great shakes. That's certainly true when it comes to upshifts -- this thing is as much of an upshifting dunce as the reviled Smart, except it's dealing with about six times as much power, so the whiplash you get from the mid-shift lurching is considerably more severe (you can also lift off the throttle in between gears, Smart-style, and get a smoother but laughably slow transition). The downshifts, though, are fantastic! Glorious, perfectly rev-matched, instantaneous downshifts. Shame you have to shift up before you can shift down.
1. The V8 is all the motor you'll ever need. I mean, maybe you knew this already, but with the advent of the V10-powered R8, some members of the automotive press are suddenly talking about the base R8's 420-horsepower V8 as if it's the pathetic 239-hp eight-banger from the Lincoln Town Car. When you read derisive comments about its power deficiency relative to the V10, please take them with a ten-cylinder grain of salt. Truth be told, the V8 flings this 3,600-pound Audi around like a flyweight roadster, and its soundtrack is so invigorating that it will have you wondering why the car doesn't cost even more. Sticking with the base R8 isn't settling; it's choosing one of the most thrilling motors on the market.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com
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- Josh Sadlier February 13, 2009, 3:00 AM
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With all respect due to the fine engineers over at Audi for designing and assembling this fine automobile, I'll be just as happy rolling around in a Chevy Camaro for....what? 25% of the price of an R8?
"With all respect due to the fine engineers over at Audi for designing and assembling this fine automobile, I'll be just as happy rolling around in a Chevy Camaro for....what? 25% of the price of an R8?"
You don't live near Latigo Canyon road, do you?
-mike
The new Camaro is supposed to handle just fine... if the G8 GT is any indication of its potential (and it is) then the car will be very capable around the turns.
I would find the R8 just ok, being that I'm used to racing a highly tuned WRX...
It's all relative.
@huyracing,
It's not immediately clear to me how a highly-tuned WRX could make the R8 seem "just ok"...
I know it's not as simple as going down to your Audi dealer and test-driving one (you'd probably have to show them a pretty healthy bank statement first, and even then you'd have a salesperson riding shotgun), but I'd advise against writing the R8 off before you've tried it.
-Josh
It's difficult to convey just how good the V8 is in this car. It combines the braun (and sound) of a classic V8 with the refinement and responsiveness of a Honda four.
You'd think that would be true of any modern V8, and it sort of is. But Audi takes it to a new level.
If you can't afford the R8's price of entry, the S5 gets you most of the way there for less than half the price.
I can't afford the R8 or S5 anytime soon, but I can't help being excited about these cars!