We currently live in a world that is dominated by the super category: you have super stars, super models, super stores and in to this category without doubt falls the super car.
Audi has arrived on the scene in this segment with the stunning R8. Superlatives to describe this vehicle are difficult to find but without doubt it is the pinnacle of the Audi brand and on looks alone the car has to be a winner. It is stunning.
Some say manufacturers waste money by being involved in motor sport. I suggest they speak to Renault and especially Audi, for they have shown that performance and results on the race track do percolate through to the vehicles that you and I are buying today.
The R8 can trace its history to the Le Mans winning vehicle, in fact it is a manifestation of the Le Mans winning cars. The R8 as a race car won 63 of the 80 races it entered and it won Le Mans a staggering five times.
The new R8 is designed as a no-compromise super car and with its mid engine derived from the race car and a virtual perfect weight distribution of 44 per cent front and 56 per cent rear, the R8 is without equal in its stable.
Audi is suggesting that the R8 market will be buyers of the Porsche 911, Jaguar XK, and the Mercedes Benz SL categories.
Audi is trying to target motor sport enthusiasts as well as those in the higher income level who like prestige brands and want a vehicle that will reward them with its driving dynamics.
Seven-hundred-and-fifty of the R8s will arrive in the UK with only 450 scheduled for 2007. These are already sold and there is a waiting. If you really do want a R8 and your pockets are deep enough be prepared to wait until at least 2009 before you get your hands on the vehicle.
The R8 highlights are its mid engine layout and its quattro drive system. Audi has incorporated a lightweight aluminium space frame which gives superb torsional rigidity and enables the suspension to do exactly what it is designed to do because the stiff body does not flex.
The 4.2 litre V8 FSi petrol engine delivers a huge 420ps at a quite high 7,800 rpm. Four-hundred-and-thirty nm of torque is available between 4,500 to 6,000 rpm.
The power being developed quite high in the rev range encourages and in fact induces you as a driver to rev the engine because the sound it emits is a delight to the ear and almost worth the asking price on its own.
People on the roadside benefit more than a driver as there is little discernable engine noise in to the cabin even though the engine is a mere 12 to14 inches behind the driver’s head.
A six-speed manual transmission or an optional R tronic sequential shift gearbox with a shift by wire technology is available.
The performance from the R8 is staggering, a 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds, a 0-124 mph appearing in 14.9 seconds and a top speed of an eye-watering 187 mph clearly stamp this vehicle into the super car category.
The engine is mounted longitudinally and with a lightweight body shell of only 1,560 kgs the high revving V8 engine has a superb power to weight ratio. If I was paying I would fork out extra and have the inspired R tronic sequential shift gearbox with the paddle controls.
The manual gearbox in the vehicle I tested had an old fashioned gate mechanism and while it was positive it was incredibly notchy and almost impossible not to select the correct gear but for me the paddle shift gave a more instant gear change and enabled me to enjoy the engine and exhaust note that befits a V8.
It is all well and good equipping a vehicle with a huge amount of power but it is necessary for the chassis to be able to cope with it, and Audi’s space frame constructed from light weight aluminium with aluminium panelling produces a stable and secure chassis which enables the front and rear double wishbones suspension to give exceptional agility which translates to give a remarkably composed and comfortable ride by any standards and especially by sports car standards.
Re-assurance from the quattro four-wheel drive is always available, and the relationship between the road and the 19-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels is transmitted back to the driver through the hydraulic rack and pinion steering.
The quattro system prevents a tendency that sometimes existed in powerful mid-engined rear wheel drive sports cars for the tail to wag the dog.
Audi has equipped the vehicle with an electronically activated rear spoiler which deploys when sensors detect that the composure of the vehicle at higher speeds would benefit from additional down force.
The vehicle at 4.4 metres long and 1.9 metres wide certainly makes a statement by its styling and size. The interior is a typical Audi luxury department with extensive use of Nappa leather carbon fibre trim.
Luggage accommodation is minimal. The ubiquitous soft leather weekend bag is a desirable feature which can be stowed in the front boot area, however Audi does suggest that the space behind the driver and passenger seats could accommodate two sets of golf clubs - I think they mean the set my four-year-old grandson plays with.
A vehicle of this type can only be fully appreciated on a racetrack; I was privileged to be taken on the Paul Ricard Race Circuit in Southern France where Audi held the launch of the R8. My two drivers were Pascal Fabre and Alan McNish.
Pascal finished second in the Birmingham Super Prix 20 years ago in the Formula 3000 race and is an ex-Lola test driver. Alan needs no introduction to motor sport enthusiasts as a winner of numerous races for Audi and currently leading the American Le Mans car Championship; these men know how to get the best out of a car.
Their display of the vehicle on the twisty sinewy Paul Ricard circuit showed just what the vehicle was capable of doing and left me in no doubt of the superb handling and performance of the vehicle.
McNish commented to me while casually holding the steering wheel with one hand as we entered a severely tight bend: “We are doing the legal speed limit in the UK around this bend” but it didn’t feel aggressive, or unhurried or cause me any concern whatsoever.
My own driving impressions were one of a vehicle that really was a wonderful companion. I have never driven a vehicle that turns the heads of so many small boys, mature men, even the older ladies in French villages we went through stood in awe of the R8.
With just a few coming in to the UK it is doubtful that you will see many but it has to be at the top of any super car driver’s list.
R8 prices start in manual form at £76,825 on the road, the R tronic sequential automated transmission starts at £82,025 on the road, and certain extras will push this price structure towards the £90,000.
If I was buying one without doubt I would order the Bang and Olufsen sound system, which has been specifically designed for the R8. It has a 12-speaker system and a staggering 465-watt output.
Satellite navigation would also be included in my package and I would be inclined to order the Audi Magnetic Ride Adaptive Suspension system in addition. This really does tighten up the handling and make the vehicle handle even better than the conventional set-up.
I would loosen the purse strings just a little to equip my vehicle with those three particular features. The on-the-road prices are actually bargain basement when you look at certain other “super cars” not perhaps to me or even you, but I bet certain city workers with their huge bonuses are at the front of the queue. I can only keep hoping for those illusive balls on Saturday night.
By Bob Hickman
Share this article:
What are these?