R8ted 'R' : Audi R8 Part 1

sigh, it's been another beeeeezeeeeee month... little time to update, tokyo motor show pix from november 2007 never even made it up!

posting one image, text to follow with a few short clips:

This stubby gearknob used to engage the 6-speed sequential R tronic transmission (a derivative of Lamborghini's E-gear automated manual transmission). Flat-bottomed steering wheel boasts paddles for faster shifts.


There's certainly no mistaking the sleek, predatory curves of the R8 for anything else on the road, although there's no ignoring the subtle hints of the TT, a fact that some owners of this 500k Audi may not appreciate.


The white car is nicely complemented by the slabs of carbon-fibre cladding on the flanks, while the contrasting black fins and grilles create a stunning visual impact.


At the back, quad exhaust pipes bristle out to bellow out their challenge. there's even a little boot spoiler that can be even be deployed by hitting a purpose-built button in the car; black fins below the tail-lights 'iffy' and fussy looking.


The clear 'hatch' shows off the v8 powerplant, reminiscent of the sight of an in-house movement viewed through the see-through case-back of a timepiece.


The five spoke rims are rather old-school (which we like) BUT they seem totally at odds with the futuristic, avant-garde aesthetics of the R8.


12-LED daytime running lights are HAWT and get two thumbs-up; the S5 (march/april 08 in Singapore) will have this feature too!

in a nutshell, this isn't the full-blown hardcore experience that many may have been expecting, especially following on the backs of the scintillating RS4 and S5 coupe. So, rather than a no-holds-barred Triple X (xxx) grading, the R8 is, as the title says, comfortably in R-rated territory.

The R8 has made a big splash in the performance (sports) car segment but falls just short of breaching the walls of the rarefied super-car territory.

Super-cars aren't just about impressive paper statistics and outrageous styling. In true German fashion, the R8 comes across as rather clinical and lacks the flamboyant emotive quotient of the Italian counterparts. Even the more outre styling touches seem exaggerated and contrived rather than the results of true inspiration.

However, the few people (including one from an Italian super-car distributor) we spoke to felt that it would give the many variants of the Porsche 911 a real run for their money. "It looks unique and is an excellent daily driver; it's much easier to drive than a 911," he said.



Fast Facts: Audi R8
Engine: 4163cc, V8, 32-valves, FSI
Maximum power: 420bhp at 7800rpm
Maximum torque: 430Nm at 4500-6000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed R Tronic sequential
0-100km/h: 4.6 seconds
Top speed: 301km/h
LxBxH: 4431 x 1904 x 1252 mm
Wheelbase: 2650mm
Kerbweight: 1565kg
Agent: Premium Automobiles