Audi’s R8 is beautiful, but is it a true Supercar?
Named after the Audi R8 racecar that blitzed Le Mans so many times, the road going 4.2 litre V8 is a stunning addition to the Audi lineup. 0-100km/h arrives in a mere 4.6 seconds and it has a top speed of 301km/h. I got to rip around Mondello racetrack in it and found out why it is possibly the easiest Supercar to drive.
If you'd prefer to drive a diesel, never fear - a Lamborghini derived 6 litre, V12 TDi version is on the way for fans of diesel power.
Audi has given the R8 it’s most extreme design treatment with a body that sits low to the road and distinctive side 'blades' in grey that exaggerate the car's lines. Audi have a knack for making well-proportioned cars and the R8 elevates the brand to a new level.
There is only one disappointment to climbing behind the wheel of the Audi R8 and that is the fact it is too easy to drive! I know that sounds nuts, but the R8 is so well engineered that it really takes very little effort to drive it fast.
This goes contrary to getting behind the wheel of many an Italian Supercar; these can simply put the fear of God into you. Supercars should be totally impractical, fire-breathing temperamental beasts that can turn on you and take you backwards through a hedge at any moment!
In the R8 I spent my time on the racetrack grinning like the village idiot as I had such a wonderful driver friendly toy to play with.
Yes, the R8 is a two-seater but the cabin is airy and the Audi switchgear reassuringly familiar. Of course there is poor rearward visibility but the side mirrors work well and you’ll only really want to see out the back when parking as nothing when you put you mind to it will pass you because the R8 is very quick.
Behind the wheel the car is tight and while the steering is nicely weighted. The car feels light, which is the key to maximizing the engine’s potential by having a good power to weight ratio.
The performance figures are a little academic on these shores; let me put it this way you could lose you license in first gear! The 'R-Tronic' automatic gearbox would be my preference over the manual although there is literally the price of a small car in the difference. When you consider that the R8 starts at over €176,000, who’s going to argue over a few quid more!?
The R8 is beautifully set up with an almost soft suspension compared to its rivals and is comfortable enough to be an every day car. When pushed the lightweight nearly all aluminium chassis is sublime. Unlike other high performance cars, the R8 let's you know when grip is getting low. Steering is direct and the four-wheel drive has a rear axle bias so the feeling under your backside is one of near perfect balance.
Audi is highly regarded in this country and hardly in need of a 'Halo' brand vehicle but it certainly has one with the R8. If 420bhp isn’t enough in the lightweight car the GT3 version might be just the job.
Michael Sheridan
