Audi R8 2007 Review

What we liked
>> Build, beauty, brawn
>> 'Personalisation' options
>> Another supercar contender!

Not so much
>> Over-eager brakes
>> Price for 'personalisation' options
>> Long wait-time for those poor souls with the money to buy one

Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.5/5.0
X-factor: 5.0/5.0

OVERVIEW
There's no mistaking the two, but Audi made a big call naming its R8 production car the same as the recently retired multiple race-winning Le Mans Prototype.

Seems the occasion of Audi's first foray into the super-sportscar arena warranted the honour, and in any case it makes for a convenient connection to its on-track success and what the company refers to as the R8's "race genes".

If you weren't already aware, the Ingolstadt brand is the new endurance sportscar king. The LMP-1 R8 managed five Le Mans 24 Hour victories, dominated the ALMS for years and the team says it never suffered an engine failure during any race while using the 3.6-litre twin-turbo V8 since 2000. Its successor, the turbodiesel V12 R10 has latterly taken over race duties, winning the 24 hour in both outings.

This R8 has big Michelins to fill if Audi is going to spout race stats. To support its argument, the company says the use of a mid-engine layout is "integral to this [motorsport] genetic stock" and the design team called in aerodynamicists responsible for the LMP car to help style the road-going version.

Audi is using its race expertise to sell the R8 and it's this that separates the R8 from its sister-under-the-skin Lamborghini Gallardo. Stakeholders decided there was market room under the brawny baby Lambo and the design brief was to make R8 very different; a sportscar with "everyday suitability", at Audi's level of luxury.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The R8 is equipped with a 4.2-litre V8 and uses Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. Prices start at $259,900 for the six-speed manual model and for the R8 with Audi's six-speed sequential R-tronic transmission.

Tick a few boxes among Audi's extensive luxury options list, such as Nappa leather fit-out ($13,450), exclusive sports bucket seats ($10,700), sound system upgrade ($3800) or body "sideblades" in Carbon Sigma ($5050) and it's not difficult to 'personalise' your R8 to the tune of around $300K.

Even the tyre pressure monitoring system costs extra ($950) and hill hold assist is $300 (come on!)

The R8 is otherwise well-equipped in standard form with xenon headlights, leather and alcantara trim, electrically-adjustable sport seats, sat-nav, climate control and camera-assisted parking system. Standout sportscar features include 19-inch alloy wheels, speed-dependent rear spoiler and engine compartment lighting.

MECHANICAL
The R8 uses the quad-cam 4.2-litre V8 rated to much acclaim in its application to the RS4 super-saloon. The V8 employs Audi's FSI direct injection with the latest Bosch engine management system and dry sump lubrication.

The high-revving engine is good for 309kW at 7800rpm and redline is 8250rpm, while 430Nm torque is available from 4500-6000rpm.

Audi claims the R8 manages the 0-100km sprint in 4.6sec; has a top speed of 301km/h and combined fuel consumption of 14.6lt/100km with either manual or auto transmission.

The R-tronic auto uses six ratios actuated by shift paddles in manual mode. According to Audi, the transmission left in auto operates "faster than even the most adept of drivers".

Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system is otherwise rear-biased but will apportion up to 35 per cent to the front wheels in less-than-ideal conditions. The R8 also features a launch control function for the slickest of getaways.

The R8 boasts Magnetic Ride suspension which incorporates magneto rheological fluid and sensors to continuously adjust settings for optimal ride. The suspension system incorporates a double-wishbone set-up front and rear.

An optional ceramic brake package is available but at an eye-watering $21K-plus.

The standard stoppers include ventilated discs all 'round with eight-piston calipers up front; four-piston for the rear. Australia-delivered R8's are offered with 8.5x19-inch (front) and 11x19-inch (rear) alloy wheels.

As hinted at above, much of the Audi's structure is derived from Lamborghini's Gallardo. That doesn't mean the A-car is a Santa Agata clone, however.

PACKAGING
R8 is Audi's first mid-engined road-going sportscar -- despite much deliberation over designs with a similar layout for concept studies in previous years.

At the car's Australian launch at Phillip Island, Dirk Isgen, technical project leader for the R8, told the Carsales Network the car's development to production was a particularly emotional time for the company.

German-born Isgen left Italy for Neckarsulm in north-west Germany after working on the Lamborghini Gallardo project. He says the sight of the R8 "still makes me feel proud, even after all this time." The R8 was first seen as the Le Mans Quattro concept car at the Geneva motor show nearly five years ago.

The R8 uses Audi's 'Space Frame ASF' aluminium technology for body rigidity and strength with minimal weight. The robot and hand-built production process trickles just 20 cars a day over two shifts and demand is such that much of each and every following month's supply is already spoken for.

Despite the auto dieticians best efforts, the R8's touch of luxury means weight (1560kg) and there's no mention of a stripped-out, super-lightweight or delete-option version. Other road racer requisites remain, however, such as dry sump lubrication and underbody diffuser which Audi claims creates measurable downforce. Weight distribution is stated as 44:56.

The R8 features 'monoposto' cockpit styling incorporating instrument cowl, which perfectly frames the flat-bottomed steering-wheel, and kneepads that can be trimmed in Nappa leather. A choice of interior finishes including black piano inlay is also available.

At 4430mm long, 1900mm wide and with a wheelbase of 2650mm the R8 is no pip-squeak. Cargo room accounts for two golf bags or similar implements of indulgence in up to 90 litres of space behind the seats and 100 litres up front. And there's certainly enough room for a V10 out back...

You can order the R8 with its sideblades in Carbon Sigma or silver-painted finish; both accentuating the car's stance and presence. Metallic paint is, as it should be, included in the cost.

As if the wide, boldfaced R8 isn't striking enough, it sports LED daytime-running lights that would be perfect during the dusk and dawn stints in the 24 hour. They're a tad 'new millennium' but complement the R8's other-world 'I, Robot' movie looks.

Audi says its engineers paid close attention to the R8's sound characteristics. They isolated "disagreeable frequencies" from the intake and exhaust and "orchestrated an impressive opus". We'd definitely stand for an ovation.

SAFETY
Audi argues the R8's quattro all-wheel-drive system, magnetic ride suspension and aluminium 'Space Frame' technology for the body provides added safety benefits.

The R8 comes standard with stability control and ABS-assisted brakes. In addition there's the expected level of acronymal assistance. At this sort of pricetag you expect plenty and Audi delivers.

Front, side and head protection airbags are also standard but note that side airbags are not included if the R8 is ordered with the abovementioned optional sports bucket seats.

Crash rating stats for the R8 have yet to be published.

COMPETITORS
Audi describes the R8's market as "very heterogeneous" with class competitors ranging from "uncompromising driving machines offering very limited everyday practicality to comfort-oriented Gran Turismo vehicles".

Accordingly, the R8 is designed to bridge both motoring aspects and Audi expects conquest sales from other sportscar brands for its efforts. That means from Porsche (in the 911 997 Carrera 4S), BMW (M6) and even its 'own' Lamborghini (Gallardo). To that list we'd add the odd Ferrari and perhaps even the likes of Aston Martin and perhaps even the fastest Maseratis.

ON THE ROAD AND TRACK
Keen to confirm the R8's track credentials, Audi Australia held its launch at the Phillip Island raceway, even inviting Team Audi Le Mans regular Tom Kristensen to show us how to really drive the car.

If it wasn't for this dose of reality the R8 would lead you to believe you're an expert, such is its roadholding prowess and control at high speed through the Island's fast sweeping corners, and balance while hammering straight ahead.

Coming out of the Southern Loop, for example, and into the fastest corner on the track the R8 was composed and eager to build power right until having to rein it in from 200km/h and drop most of the cogs to the fast-approaching Honda Corner.

Meanwhile Kristensen, already well over the double tonne, told me: "I am in fifth and absolutely flat through here!"

We can't agree the R-tronic sequential transmission shifts as fast as the best drivers (or even those remotely competent), and didn't like the positioning of the paddles nor the vague-feeling shift stick in the centre console. Left to its own devices the R-tronic is also too slow to change.

Alternatively, the six-speed manual is well-behaved and features an aluminium shift plate that just looks the part. The action is a little notchy into place but it has a short throw and precise mechanical feel. Stick to the three-pedal version we say.

Steering is quick and precise: this particular Audi can't be accused of dull handling nor lack of feedback. There's plenty of feel through the wheel but road irregularities, which would be quickly found with the wide 19-inch wheels, are well absorbed and the R8 didn't trail into unwanted territory even over the variously channelled highway drive home. Ride is very firm, however.

Seating position in the R8 is low, as you'd order, and the low-set dash makes way for unobstructed forward vision. The R8's beltline is flat which allows good sidewards vision.

This is no cramped mid-engined race-replica though. Cabin space is excellent and even though it's a two-seater, the interior doesn't feel claustrophobic. Passenger headroom and -- especially -- legroom dimensions are generous.

One of the R8's we tried had the full, five-figure fine leather fit-out which made the interior resemble the flagship A8. You can really order this sportscar to appease the best of both worlds.

The writer admits to an appreciation for endurance sportscar racing and peculiar penchant for the Circuit de Sarthe. There for the R8's penultimate victory at Le Mans, and returning for the R10's recent consecutive wins, we were actually 'introduced' to the production R8 while in pit lane before the start of this year's race; a brace of them used to transport team drivers around a lap for the crowd.

We were even in Adelaide for the 2000-2001 'Race of a Thousand Years', starring the LMP-1 R8 in unforgettably snappy Croc livery ordered especially for the event Down Under. To say we've been eager to sample the road-going R8 since its announcement is an understatement.

That's not to say we're blind to the foibles of Audi's first-ever mid-engined road car. Just perhaps a little more tolerant. That said there's little we don't like about the R8.

In the open market it will be the 911 that we believe will most often be compared and shopped against the R8. And in the case of the Porsche there's a bevy of horsepower and drive opportunities from which to choose, including homologation specials like the GT3 RS and the two-wheel-drive turbo GT2.

Audi could really convince us the R8 has "the genes of a winner" and put the wind up even the hottest Porsches with a V10 taking up that engine bay space. The maker could even stick with the V8 and participate in few stints in the LM-GT1 class and ruffle the Astons. On the road, however, the extra pots aren't so necessary. The 4.2-litre V8 is a strong, hard-revving highlight among many.

The R8 echoes the 911's everyday 'driveability' but if the Audi does have a clear advantage over the Porsche, it is its exclusivity. A relative handful will come Down Under compared to the hundreds of 911 Porsche sells in Australia each year. With the cash to spend we'd be one of those in the queue.