Had ecurie25's R8 - and it more than lives up to the hype!!!
Discussion
Oh yes. This weekend I had this:
And let me say one thing before I ramble on and on
- its as good as everyone says. No, actually its better...
Lets start with the looks, quite a bone of contention on this forum. Personally i've always loved the looks of the R8, and for me it looks much better in the metal. Low, squat, purposeful, modern. Everything a modern sports car should be. The design details are exquisite, from the fuel cap and the lights, to the engine bay and little OOOO Made in Germany on the brake discs...
So, I was impressed with the way the car looked, then I climbed inside....
Wow. Audi really do have it sorted when it comes to interiors. The R8 interior is amazing, a truly great place to just sit in, let alone drive in. Everything is ergonomically perfect - controls in just the right place, dials clear, satnav intuitive, just brilliant. I could happily spend a day in that interior, its awesome.
Then, or course, you start the engine, and you get a taste of that wonderful V8. Its actually a little more muted than I would like, but still a nice V8 burble. Now we come to the only downside for me about this particular R8. Its the R-Tronic thingumy. Its not actually that bad to be fair, but I would have just preferred a manual. Unfortunately the majority of ecurie25's cars are paddle shifters (including their Vantage Roadster, grrr) because most people prefer them. I do like them, but would still prefer a manual shifter most of the time.
The gearbox in this one though, is definitely the best of its type. Its basically the E-Gear system from Lambo, but remapped for the R8. Its the only paddle shifter i've driven which can handle a full-bore change. The F430, Gallardo etc, all give you whiplash if you try it, but not the R8. Its still smooth as anything.
The handling is sublime as well. I'd actually say its one of the best handling cars i've driven.
There certainly isn't a more perfectly balanced car in my experience - tickling the throttle mid corner, settling the car, then flooring it, its all amazingly smooth and safe. Thats not to say it isn't fun, it can hoon with the best of them. I had it sliding sideways round a wet roundabout with no problems, just drifting sweetly with no intervention by any stupid nanny electronics (you can turn them off...).
This car literally has it all for me (were it to have a manual box, obviously). Its definitely more than a match for the 911 S in my book. I'd take the Audi every time. It takes everything the 911 does, and raises it a notch. Apart from having rear seats, obviously, but that doesn't bother me...
I could ramble on about it for ages, but most people have probably given up by now anyway!!
So here are some more photos, starting with its least flattering angle:
Give them a few years, and at £35k these will be a serious performance bargain....
And let me say one thing before I ramble on and on
- its as good as everyone says. No, actually its better...Lets start with the looks, quite a bone of contention on this forum. Personally i've always loved the looks of the R8, and for me it looks much better in the metal. Low, squat, purposeful, modern. Everything a modern sports car should be. The design details are exquisite, from the fuel cap and the lights, to the engine bay and little OOOO Made in Germany on the brake discs...
So, I was impressed with the way the car looked, then I climbed inside....
Wow. Audi really do have it sorted when it comes to interiors. The R8 interior is amazing, a truly great place to just sit in, let alone drive in. Everything is ergonomically perfect - controls in just the right place, dials clear, satnav intuitive, just brilliant. I could happily spend a day in that interior, its awesome.
Then, or course, you start the engine, and you get a taste of that wonderful V8. Its actually a little more muted than I would like, but still a nice V8 burble. Now we come to the only downside for me about this particular R8. Its the R-Tronic thingumy. Its not actually that bad to be fair, but I would have just preferred a manual. Unfortunately the majority of ecurie25's cars are paddle shifters (including their Vantage Roadster, grrr) because most people prefer them. I do like them, but would still prefer a manual shifter most of the time.
The gearbox in this one though, is definitely the best of its type. Its basically the E-Gear system from Lambo, but remapped for the R8. Its the only paddle shifter i've driven which can handle a full-bore change. The F430, Gallardo etc, all give you whiplash if you try it, but not the R8. Its still smooth as anything.
The handling is sublime as well. I'd actually say its one of the best handling cars i've driven.
There certainly isn't a more perfectly balanced car in my experience - tickling the throttle mid corner, settling the car, then flooring it, its all amazingly smooth and safe. Thats not to say it isn't fun, it can hoon with the best of them. I had it sliding sideways round a wet roundabout with no problems, just drifting sweetly with no intervention by any stupid nanny electronics (you can turn them off...).
This car literally has it all for me (were it to have a manual box, obviously). Its definitely more than a match for the 911 S in my book. I'd take the Audi every time. It takes everything the 911 does, and raises it a notch. Apart from having rear seats, obviously, but that doesn't bother me...
I could ramble on about it for ages, but most people have probably given up by now anyway!!
So here are some more photos, starting with its least flattering angle:
Give them a few years, and at £35k these will be a serious performance bargain....
Hmmm, bear in mind when looking at that photo that the brake pedal on the R-tronic is about 4 inches wide!! Its huge, so i'm sure there's more than enough room for the clutch as well. The accelerator is in the perfect place, so it should be fine.
As for your choice jimmyb, i think dark grey (like the e25 car), with the carbon sideblade, and mustang brown leather would be my perfect combo.
After that it'd be white, carbon sideblade and dark red interior...
As for your choice jimmyb, i think dark grey (like the e25 car), with the carbon sideblade, and mustang brown leather would be my perfect combo.
After that it'd be white, carbon sideblade and dark red interior...
blindswelledrat said:
Beefmeister: I have nothing but respect for your reports and always read them with interest.
However, it appears you have lost the plot on this one a little.
Read your gushing report on the interior again.
Now take another look at it.
It is a very ordinary Audi interior. At best average but arguably bland. I would just about be content to see that in an s4.
Theres nothing actually wrong with it, but to gush about it is a little OTT don't you think?
The thing is, the photos do it no justice at all. I think you have to be a fan of the german interiors, but to me it really is a fantastic place to sit.However, it appears you have lost the plot on this one a little.
Read your gushing report on the interior again.
Now take another look at it.
It is a very ordinary Audi interior. At best average but arguably bland. I would just about be content to see that in an s4.
Theres nothing actually wrong with it, but to gush about it is a little OTT don't you think?
Go find one, and sit in it for a few minutes. I personally like good ergonomics, and this ticks all the boxes.
I'm not really a fan of the F430 interior, its passion over function in my eyes.
I admit, the R8 interior looks much better with extended coloured leather - the brown or red leather for instance.
But as I said, go sit in one and you may change your opinion.
You reading this, Tommo???Sweet jesus, I got overtaken today by an R8 in the most hideous colour.
It was in Fire Engine Red, with red sideblade, and it just looked awful. It went past too quick to get a pic with my phone, but i still had long enough to look at how nasty it was.
Why would someone do that? Well, each to their own i suppose.....
edit: it looked remarkably like this:
It was in Fire Engine Red, with red sideblade, and it just looked awful. It went past too quick to get a pic with my phone, but i still had long enough to look at how nasty it was.
Why would someone do that? Well, each to their own i suppose.....
edit: it looked remarkably like this:
Edited by Beefmeister on Thursday 23 August 10:09
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