There was a time when the term “outrageous” applied to more than just the styling and performance of an exotic car. It applied equally to the costs, headaches, discomforts, lack of useful space, and, frequently, noise levels as well. But times have changed, and thanks to technological advances in automotive design, production and materials, there are more and more remarkably beautiful and well engineered autos on the market that don’t have the downsides. An excellent case in point is the Audi R8.
While Audi has created some outstanding vehicles, none of those achievements holds a candle to the R8. Based directly on racing technology, the R8 brings to the table a gorgeous exterior shape, superbly executed interior design, ample useful space, easy-to read gauges, simple-to-operate controls and just the right amount of noise. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
The passenger compartment boasts extremely supportive seats (possibly a bit too much so for larger-framed drivers and passengers). There is plenty of leg, shoulder, and headroom, especially compared to competitors in the field. The car rides exceptionally well, handling road imperfections much more like a sedan than an exotic sports car. Furthermore, Audi was intelligent in building a car that could hold golf bags, suitcases, a make-up case, and a couple of bottles of wine for a weekend trek to Mendocino. All things considered, it’s the unsuper supercar. Even the ignition is a traditional, key-in-steering column affair, sans the gimmicky keyless start and telekinesis so many high-end cars have resorted to. The down-to-earth touches are refreshing in a car whose design resembles something in which George Lucas may have had a hand.
The mid-mounted, 4.2-liter V8 is a familiar sight to Audi fans, as they’ve been putting this engine in just about anything Audi for a while. It became Audi’s flagship motor beginning with the RS-4 and has been slightly reworked for dry-sump lubrication and rearranged a bit to fit the R8. The V8 still delivers 420 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, which is enough punch to send the roughly 3,500-pound car to 60 mpg in about four seconds, cross the quarter-mile in roughly 12, and top out somewhere near 190 miles-per-hour. And, it’s available with two transmissions: a 6-speed manual or an Rtronic, a techno-wizardish semi-automatic.
The Quattro all-wheel-drive, an Audi hallmark, helps the mid-engined powerhouse remain surprisingly agile, despite a 90-percent rear-wheel bias and programming that never allows any more than 35 percent of the power to the front wheels. The R8 reinvents stability and docility and steals the gold away from the Acura NSX, which had been the leader in this field for many years. However, to the R8’s credit, it outweighs the Acura by a good 500 pounds, a severe amount of heft in the supercar world. But then again, the R8 features a plethora of safety features, all of which add considerable weight.
True to supercar tradition, the R8 is built by hand in tiny numbers by craftsmen devoted to their skills. Each car takes several weeks to produce, and is pretty much made to order at client specs. Aesthetically, the R8 is refreshing for remaining true to the original Audi concept. Even though there are some small details similar to those in other brands, such as Lamborghini, Bugatti, or the unfortunately forgotten VW W12 prototype of 1997, the R8 is an Audi through and through.
The R8 truly is the next step on planet supercar, and it’s no surprise that Audi is the company that created it. For years, the manufacturer has marched to the beat of its own drummer, seemingly disinterested in the competition. In a world where in-your-face-surgically-enhanced-obviousness has ruled for so long, the R8 is a breath of fresh air. Its performance is absolutely respectable, the styling is handsomely conservative (OK, maybe an overstatement), and the thoughtfulness of its creation from design to engineering to finishing is nothing short of astonishing. This is a useful car packaged and designed as a supercar. It is simply smarter than so many other options out there. What an Audiesque concept! Test drive yours at Niello Audi, 2350 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento. 916-480-2800, audi.niello.com.
A RACING HERITAGE
The Audi R8 is one of those exotic cars that can trace its history back to the racetrack, a legacy that only a few autos can claim. In the late 1990s, Audi decided it wanted to compete in the newly formed American Le Mans Series, guaranteeing a stage to prove its capabilities to the valuable markets of the U.S. and Canada. The company produced a machine packing a V8 turbo and producing 550 horsepower – engineering designed to race with other well-seasoned competition from Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Nissan, and the like. Audi, though confident in its endeavor, remained humble throughout the process, a hallmark of a company known for its quiet consistency.
After a rough start, the R8R made a name for itself in the 1999 races, and in 2000, a true lucky streak began. Following some success at the Sebring Series, the R8R took on Le Mans with a breathtaking string of wins in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005, placing third in the 2003 race. The R8R matched this triumph with six consecutive wins at the ALMS from 2000 to 2005. Needless to say, the R8R stole the thunder from the usual suspects, driving home what Audi could do when it wants to. It wasn’t the first time Audi wowed the world, but it was an absolute grand slam for the company, enticing a lot of buyers into showrooms.
In 2006, photos and rumors began circulating about the new supercar Audi was putting together, one based on their Le Mans car. Fast forward to 2007, and the car emerged as the R8, a 400-plus horsepower exotic with an equal dose of brains and brawn. Based very closely on the hero cars from the racetrack, the R8 will become one of those cars legends are made of.
