Deep Drive: 2008 Audi R8
by Chris Poole
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Audi turns 75 this year, and lights the birthday candles with the new 2008 Audi R8. Named for the racing Audis that won the famed LeMans 24 Hours five times in six seasons (2000-2002, 2004-2005), this two-seat high-performance mid-engine sports car serves notice that Volkswagen's upscale division is out to surpass BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz as the automotive world's top-selling premium brand. The R8 itself aims to steal "supercar" thunder from the likes of the Porsche 911, Ferrari F430, Lexus' upcoming "LF-A," and even the Lamborghini Gallardo that shares the R8's basic structure.
The 2008 Audi R8 goes on sale this September, but is already sold out through calendar 2008. It continues a product offensive that will almost double Audi's model count by 2012. The compact A3 hatchback kicked things off in model-year 2006, followed by Audi's first SUV, the big Q7, as an early '07 premiere. Stylish A5/S5 midsize coupes and redesigned TT sports cars arrive this fall, also as '08s. Next comes a compact crossover SUV, the 2009 Q5, and redesigns for other model lines are slated through 2011 or so. Also expected in the near future are a small two-seat roadster to rival the Porsche Boxster, an entry-level Q3 crossover, at least two new four-seat convertibles, gas/electric hybrid powertrains, flex-fuel and diesel-engine options, and more. In short, Audi is one busy car company.
Fast Friend
Audi's first supercar is surprisingly friendly, which might irk some enthusiast diehards. After all, "real" supercars are supposed to be expensive, hairy-chested beasts, crazy fast and a handful to drive, maybe even scary at times. They're not transportation. They're rolling symbols of wealth, auto smarts, and perhaps testosterone level, real or imagined.
The R8 is none of those things. To be sure, it's hardly cheap at $110,000 to start, and it's not exactly slow with 420 V8 horsepower to move just 3600 pounds. In fact, this is the fastest production car in Audi history, claimed to do 0-60 mph in around four seconds and 187 mph all out.
But anyone can build a compromised road rocket that gets wearing after half an hour. The R8 has blistering acceleration and Velcro-sticky handling, but it's also long haul comfortable and nine-to-five usable. After a five-day visit with one, we decided this is one of the most balanced and refined exotics since the late Acura NSX, which is high praise.
 The 2008 Audi R8 shares its basic structure with the Lamborghini Gallardo. |
Fast Friend
Audi's first supercar is surprisingly friendly, which might irk some enthusiast diehards. After all, "real" supercars are supposed to be expensive, hairy-chested beasts, crazy fast and a handful to drive, maybe even scary at times. They're not transportation. They're rolling symbols of wealth, auto smarts, and perhaps testosterone level, real or imagined.
The R8 is none of those things. To be sure, it's hardly cheap at $110,000 to start, and it's not exactly slow with 420 V8 horsepower to move just 3600 pounds. In fact, this is the fastest production car in Audi history, claimed to do 0-60 mph in around four seconds and 187 mph all out.
But anyone can build a compromised road rocket that gets wearing after half an hour. The R8 has blistering acceleration and Velcro-sticky handling, but it's also long haul comfortable and nine-to-five usable. After a five-day visit with one, we decided this is one of the most balanced and refined exotics since the late Acura NSX, which is high praise.
Inside This Article
