Thread: Audi R8

Bertrand delanoe, the mayor of Paris, doesn't like cars. And from what I know, he has been re-elected a few months ago, on the strength of this dislike: in fact, most Parisians don't like cars. The love affair with the automobile for most of Europe, in fact seems to be over. And that becomes very much obvious when the car that you drive smells of money, size and political incorrectness. The times when I have borrowed for journalistic duties, mind you a Bentley or a Maserati, even a Mercedes or a Porsche, have gotten me looks from most Parisians that haven't necessarily been nice. More of a Hey you fat, rich cat, go and show off somewhere else.

So when there was a thumbs-up sign from a passing motorist in an ordinary Seat Toledo, and then admiring looks from a couple of young studs in a Peugeot 206, and finally confirmed by the young dude stopping by to take pictures of the R8, I realised that Audi was on to something. And I also realised that my tastes in cars is perhaps out of sync with what the hoi polloi like.

True, the Audi R8 is dramatic, but is it beautiful. I don't think so: too fussy in the use of slats at the front three-quarter, on the flank, and the rear too. But my judgement seems to be wrong: when it comes to drawing town centre crowds, the R8 wipes the floor with virtually any model, regardless of price, that I have driven in recent times.

If like most people you think the R8 looks very special, wait until you fire the engine. The normally-aspirated 420bhp 4.2-litre V8 (proudly displayed under a glass engine cover, just like a Ferrari) roars into life, and once on the move delivers impressive performance from 2000rpm. At the far end of the rev counter, a red line starting at 82S0rpm means astonishing acceleration, accompanied by an addictive bellow. A proper performance engine, and what performance: a V-max of 300kph and 0-100kph in less time than what it will take you to read this sentence. 4.5 seconds, that's itl But to have real fun and control, it makes sense apparently to opt for the six-speed manual 'box.

But the car that I test drove was with the R Tronic Paddleshift system, which is okay, but it doe,S distance you from the drive. Of course, for city use, specifically the Mumbai-Delhi variety, it may make more sense, as you can leave it in automatic mode, making life easier, though not necessarily pleasurable, as the shift is a little jerky and modulating the power can get a little tricky.



At the same time, the brakes are progressive, strong and reassuring, as is the handling. The R8 is an enormously capable and user-friendly machine, with scarcely believable amounts of grip. At the same time one must admit that the R8 doesn't need quite the same level of involvement as the scalpel-sharp Porsche 911 which isn't a bad thing really but the downside is that the Audi's responses are slightly numb in comparison. However, this is a small price to pay for a car with such awesome body control and delightful steering, while the ride quality is bloody good too.

On the highway, the R8 is a treat. Well, there are few. For one, the rather shallow and limited view out, especially the rear three-quarters, where there is a major blind spot. Then there is the rather wide 11.8-metre turning circle, which can be a bit of a chore in the city. Makes sense to opt for the optional parking sensors and rear view camera package, which is worth a Nano in Europe. The R8 is wider and lower than its most direct rival, the Porsche 911, and the car's width and height don't do practicality or ease of use any favours, either.

Then there is the issue of packaging: the nose boot totals only 100 litres, quite a bit less than that of a 911, and although Audi claim that two golf bags can fit behind the seats, inserting them would block off what little rear visibility there is. However. both occupants (the R8 is a strict two-seater) have plenty of space, and get to enjoy a really special cockpit. The dash is a squashed version of the n's and beautifully detailed and finished. There's no faulting the electric seats, material quality and assembly, the dash layout, or the fact that it simply makes you feel so special and the flat-bottomed steering wheel is very handsome and practical, leaving enough space for the fattest of legs.

But obviously, it's the exteriors that seems to interest most. The fact that every time we stopped, people swarmed over the Audi like bees around a honeypot, is something. I can't remember driving another performance car that attracted so much attention. Although those side slats break up the flow of the flanks, when combined with the LED headlamps and the glass panel - which provides a window on to the V8 engine they ensure people stop to look.

And though to some the look may very well be intimidating, the R8 is actually as light and easy to drive as any lightweight two-seater. But being so accessible and unflappable makes the R8 less challenging than some of the other supercars, so, in a sense, it may be seen as ultimately not that rewarding, especially to Porschephiles, but that's being rather immature. If you are adult enough, then the Audi is the more sensible alternative.