If you�re a huge supercar fan, you�ve probably already heard of the Audi R8. Its great looks, as well as its blistering performance. It can leave a Corvette in a pile of dust. When you look at it from all angles, it has a gorgeous look. Everything from the curves to the side scoops, this car looks incredible.
There�s only room for two people, but it doesn�t feel cramped like other supercars. It feels relaxing and comfortable. With the roof down, you get loads of headroom. Visibility isn�t the best, but I doubt you�ll be looking behind you anyway. You�ll be too busy looking forward as the V10 engine pushes you along. It doesn�t feel like a jet engine taking off, but this will go from 0-60mph in 4 seconds and then on to a top speed of 195 mph. You may not feel it, but looking at the blurs outside, you will see how fast you�re going. The best part of all though is the sound you get from the back. The 5.2 liter V10 gives you the best noise you�ll hear from behind you. It�ll put a smile on your face every time you put your foot down.
When you get to a corner, things get even better. Now this isn�t the normal hardtop R8, this is the convertible version. Taking the roof off of a normal car is like putting A1 steak sauce on a bacon cheeseburger; you�re going to make it better. Taking the roof off a high performance supercar is like putting A1 steak sauce on eggs benedict; it�s going to be ruined. To make sure this doesn�t happen, Audi has put lots of strengthening beams on the R8 to make it more stable and less wobbly. This has definitely helped, but its added lots of weight to the whole car. Of course, you don�t actually notice the extra weight gain. You only notice that this car goes around corners with no trouble at all.
Despite the blistering performance and great handling, there are one or two minor problems. This car has been fitted with a stop-start system. If you wait either at a light or in traffic for too long, the engine shuts off to save fuel. This can get pretty annoying when you go to hit the gas and the engine�s off, especially when you have angry old folk honking at you from behind. This car also comes with an automated manual transmission, which will shift gears for you if you put it in auto mode. When the car�s in auto mode, the ride becomes awful. The gear changes are slow and clunky that you start to get annoyed with the way the car shifts. Thankfully though, there is a solution. If you push the sport button, it turns the automatic mode completely off. It will not shift gears for you no matter what. Now, you can shift when you want whether it�s at low or high rpms. The gear changes are much smoother when you shift yourself, leading to not only a better ride, but better performance. You can either shift using the paddles on the steering wheel which don�t work, or you can use the shifter which I recommend. It�s set up like a racing transmission; push the shifter up to change up and pull it down to change down.
All in all, this is the best handling convertible I�ve ever driven. It handles superbly around corners, and the performance will amaze anyone sitting next to you. It also has the looks that will get you the attention you�re looking for.
Special thanks to Audi of Naples for test vehicle.
