Audi-R8: An exciting sports car

Audi invited a few handpicked auto journos to Germany to test the mid-engined R8. The wide shape of the R8 gives it a road hugging look. It demonstrates its potential through its imposing proportions, accentuated wheel arches and substantial air apertures.

The unmistakable proportions of a mid-engine car dictate the forward positioning of the cabin and clearly separate the engine compartment behind. A characteristic feature of the side view of the R8 is the side blade which visually accentuates the engine’s position as well as acts as an air deflector.

Like all other Audis, even the R8 has a very precise use of lines and the Audi characteristic is evident in the curved arc on the roof. The continuous line runs from the front apron across the wheel arches, flanks to the tail end and back down the other side.

Another Audi trademark with all their modern cars is the elaborate design of its lights. The R8’s unmistakable frontal look incorporates the standard bi-xenon headlights and daytime running lights comprising of twelve Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that are similar for the day and night time. It is very difficult to overlook this Audi sports car from the rear. For the first time, three dimensional effect LED lights have been used.

The interior design is racy and complements the car’s sporty exterior. The expansive arc around the steering wheel and instruments gives you the feeling of being connected with the car. Audi have made the R8 extremely user friendly with a lot of cabin space even though it’s a small two-seater sports car. There is more than enough room for a six-footer like me. Infact, it would even accommodate somebody who is even taller by a couple of inches. The use of carbon fiber gives the interior a sporty look while the use of leather imparts a luxurious feel. The first rule for any sports car to be successful is to have the best power-to -weight ratio for straight line performance and structural rigidity for good handling. The R8’s space frame body, made from aluminum, is an ideal platform. The entire body shell weighs just 210kg. It comprises of extruded sections, aluminum panels and highly complex nodes. A double wishbone suspension is used on the front as well as rear including Audi’s magnetic ride adapt suspension system. The 235/40 R18 front tyres and 285/35 R18 rear tyres give the R8 leech like traction and grip.

The power plant is the heart of the car. The compact V8 engine revs to a high 7800rpm pushing out 420PS and 430Nm between 4500rpm and 6000rpm. To keep the engine compact it utilizes a dry-sump lubrication system found on race engines. The power is transmitted to the road via a manual gearbox or R tronic sequential gear shifting with Audi’s four-wheel drive Quattro.

The minute you are seated in the driver’s seat and you fire up the V8 engine you get goose bumps with the exhaust note. The slightest touch on the accelerator paddle sends the rpm needle into the red line. The engine uses an extremely light flywheel and that makes it very lively. Exiting the pit lane, a slight dab with the right foot on the throttle and the car accelerates violently pinning you back in the leather seat.

Going down the start-finish straight, I was doing around 200km/h. On one of the quickest parts of the circuit with a sequence of left and right turns you could see the speedo needle nudging 220km/h before dropping the anchors. On a long tightening left hander, I had to keep to the outside and late apex the corner or else I would have be in the dirt on the exit of this corner.

The dynamics of the Audi R8 with the four-wheel drive are truly one of the best I have experienced till date. Pushing the car to its limit around corners I could feel the ESP cutting in and making sure the car did not get out of control. The R8 is a sports car that can be used on a day to day basis because it is not as radical as most of the Italian sports cars. This makes it possible for Indian buyers to use the car on our road conditions as it has a decent ground clearance and ride quality which will not rattle your brains.

Expect the R8 to be launched in India at the end of September.

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