It’s been a while since I was last in an Audi R8 and, truth be told, it was always one of my favourite sports cars. Usable, fairly practical, dramatic to look at and full of boundless, controllable energy, the R8 – in either V8 or V10 guise – quickly came to define the “everyday supercar”. And now, an entire decade after it was launched to worldwide applause, the second generation is here.
The previous model shared much of its physical make-up with Lamborghini’s Gallardo but now that’s dead, too, and the R8 shares its platform with the Huracán. There was always sufficient difference between the characters of the R8 and the Lambo, so that they didn’t tread on each others toes, and that continues to this day.
The exterior styling has been tweaked rather than overhauled, and I’m still not sure which version I prefer. The famous “side blades” are now two-piece items, which unfortunately lessens their visual impact, but overall the stylists have done a decent job of keeping things fresh. Inside, however, the improvements are entirely obvious.
There is a new 12.3-inch digital screen residing where the speedo and tacho used to sit, and it’s almost infinitely configurable. The steering wheel is festooned with buttons and controls, most of which are well-sited and the dash now looks incredibly stylish and bang up to date. And, because it’s an expensive Audi, the quality of fit and finish is utterly sublime.
As usual, the available engines produce more power and are more economical than the previous models, and in the V10 Plus I’m driving, it’s good for a frankly incredible 610hp and 560Nm of torque. The best bit of news regarding the motors, however, is that Audi has not resorted to turbocharging, which means power delivery should be instant and devastating.
It is, too. It loves to rev and only peters out after 8,250rpm, at which point the manic wail from those 10 cylinders has reached a crescendo – an absolutely glorious wall of noise. Its seven-speed DSG automatic shifts lightning fast, easily quicker than any human could achieve, and is perfectly matched to the mill that’s situated just a few centimetres from the back of my head. It doesn’t feel quite as stupidly rapid as a McLaren 650S or Ferrari 488 GTB, but then this thing costs half the price of those two exotics.
Fiddle around with the various drive modes and you can alter the car’s performance delivery to suit your mood or preferences, but in each one the R8 remains impeccably composed and sure-footed. It’s four-wheel drive, yes, but the bias is very much rearward until extra traction is called for upfront, when power delivery is more evenly split front and rear. As a result, the R8 rarely, if ever, fails to engage as a true driver’s car.
In case you’re thinking that the R8 V10 Plus would be too much of a beast for the daily grind, it isn’t. At sedate speeds, it’s docile and polite, never difficult. It’s easy to see out of (a 911 still trumps it in this regard, though) and its controls are light enough for anyone, no matter how experienced, to use it for urban driving. And no matter what surface you’re on, or what speed you’re driving at, it remains comfortable, pliant and unfazed.
It’s this ability to be all things to all people that puts some owners off the R8, who dismiss it out of hand for being too sterile, too perfect at everything. And, yes, it is, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The engineering integrity available here is more than a match for the world’s very best car, and its performance envelope is bigger than the talents of mere mortals, so it’s nice to be able to exploit the sensory thrills on offer, safe in the knowledge that the Audi has your back.
This is a car that’s extremely difficult to be critical of, in any way, shape or form. Its brakes are stupendously good, and the R8 offers almost laser-guided pinpoint accuracy allowing you to revel in point-and-squirt bursts of acceleration. Its steering, like that of all modern sports cars, is lacking in feel and feedback, but it’s just the way things are these days.
The only thing I can say to watch out for will be the costs in keeping it properly maintained and, even before buying one, the way its price can skyrocket by ticking needless options. My test car costs Dh58,500 over the starting price of Dh629,000, which is a significant chunk of change. And all that extra money accounts for is some carbon-fibre door mirrors, an Alcantara headlining, Audi’s “laser” headlamps and a few bits of carbon trim inside – none of which I feel I’d miss if they weren’t here.
This is mere nitpicking, though, which shows how good the new R8 is as a complete package. It’s superb and comes highly recommended.
motoring@thenational.ae
