My first real drive in a R8
Discussion
A few days ago i heard that our road going demo had arrived and already had its PDI and plates from factory and slipped straight into the dealer principles (DP) hands... Shame as i was lloking forward to prepping it and taking it for its first proper drive, never mind....
Anyway The DP came in today and handed the keys to myself and the other R8 tech for us to have a go, see how it drives ect.... It was phantom black with lava grey blades, very nice.... I prefer carbon blades IMHO but hey im not complaining. She was also an R-tronic, now this was my first time in an Automated manual, and was quite weird to get used to at first but after a while it became quite good. It is a strange feeling having to take up the drive by pressing the accelerator instead of feeling it through your clutch foot. i have driven many many auto's before too and wow was it totally different... R-tronic is great in manual mode, the paddles are very good, and also the stick is good, i found myself naturally going for the stick rather than the paddles. really easy to get used to, very quick and very smoothe.. Also had a go in auto mode, and didnt enjoy it as much, as it was not as smoothe, you could really feel each gear change, but then you have to remember it is still a manual gearbox with a dry clutch, just automated etc.... But in all honesty i would stick to driving it manual mode....
I obviously could not give it full throttle, or go over 6,000rpm as ahe was still being run in, but WOW what a car, even not full throttling it and going over 6,000 rpm she was still a beast, and you could feel the car wanting to push you to push its limits. I only had her for an hour and had to really restrain myself from nailing it, so my thoughts are with all you that recieve the R8! its tough holding yourself back in the running in period!!!
The noise coming from the engine is incredable, you can hear everything that you do, drop it down a gear and you can hear it rev, accelerate and you can feel and hear it, but was nice that it was not too loud that you couldnt not enjoy it, i think Audi have got the right balance There. The car had a B&O system, but i must be honest i did not want it on, the sounds from the engine were just fantastic.
The brakes were also amazing, you can really tell, that this car is racetrack designed for on road living because they were awesome, lightest touch and you could feel the power of the big brakes pulling you back.... And these were just standard not ceramic! I can imagine that on a track these brakes will be amazing.
The general ride of the R8 was also fantastic, i felt i had so much road presence, like i owned the road. This R8 had magnetic ride, and for the first time i really got to experience it. i was driving along the road only doing about 40 and she was very very smoothe, hit the mag ride button and instantly felt the ride get harder and i could feel bumps and inperfections in the road, hit it off and back to smoothe!!!! Amazing! I would definatl opt for this mag ride. The R8 had standard seats fitted, as Uk are not having buckets just yet, but it was very very comfortable.... you forget your in a super car, the car kind of moulds to you and you and the car become connected in a way, i could feel everything that was going on, and felt so so so...... KING OF THE ROAD!!!
One of the best things about the car, which i think alot of people may need to get used to is.... My god does everyone stare at you! it is the biggest head turner i have ever seen, i mean literally everyone was looking, jaws dropping, even people with thumbs up! if your not one for attention, this is not the car for you, personally i loved it!!!
There is alot of talk about figures, lap times, what is faster, what is better, etc... All i say is just wait till you get your R8, all that will go out of the window and just pure driving pleasure will be all that your interested in, as The R8 is a pure pleasure to drive, fast and around town. Its not always about who is faster and what else is quicker, its about how good the whole car is and how it makes you feel (ull feel like a megastar). everyone that has an order of one of these, your very lucky, be patient, because it is so so so worth the wait!
I will add some pics, if i could find my Bloody data cable....
Anyway The DP came in today and handed the keys to myself and the other R8 tech for us to have a go, see how it drives ect.... It was phantom black with lava grey blades, very nice.... I prefer carbon blades IMHO but hey im not complaining. She was also an R-tronic, now this was my first time in an Automated manual, and was quite weird to get used to at first but after a while it became quite good. It is a strange feeling having to take up the drive by pressing the accelerator instead of feeling it through your clutch foot. i have driven many many auto's before too and wow was it totally different... R-tronic is great in manual mode, the paddles are very good, and also the stick is good, i found myself naturally going for the stick rather than the paddles. really easy to get used to, very quick and very smoothe.. Also had a go in auto mode, and didnt enjoy it as much, as it was not as smoothe, you could really feel each gear change, but then you have to remember it is still a manual gearbox with a dry clutch, just automated etc.... But in all honesty i would stick to driving it manual mode....
I obviously could not give it full throttle, or go over 6,000rpm as ahe was still being run in, but WOW what a car, even not full throttling it and going over 6,000 rpm she was still a beast, and you could feel the car wanting to push you to push its limits. I only had her for an hour and had to really restrain myself from nailing it, so my thoughts are with all you that recieve the R8! its tough holding yourself back in the running in period!!!
The noise coming from the engine is incredable, you can hear everything that you do, drop it down a gear and you can hear it rev, accelerate and you can feel and hear it, but was nice that it was not too loud that you couldnt not enjoy it, i think Audi have got the right balance There. The car had a B&O system, but i must be honest i did not want it on, the sounds from the engine were just fantastic.
The brakes were also amazing, you can really tell, that this car is racetrack designed for on road living because they were awesome, lightest touch and you could feel the power of the big brakes pulling you back.... And these were just standard not ceramic! I can imagine that on a track these brakes will be amazing.
The general ride of the R8 was also fantastic, i felt i had so much road presence, like i owned the road. This R8 had magnetic ride, and for the first time i really got to experience it. i was driving along the road only doing about 40 and she was very very smoothe, hit the mag ride button and instantly felt the ride get harder and i could feel bumps and inperfections in the road, hit it off and back to smoothe!!!! Amazing! I would definatl opt for this mag ride. The R8 had standard seats fitted, as Uk are not having buckets just yet, but it was very very comfortable.... you forget your in a super car, the car kind of moulds to you and you and the car become connected in a way, i could feel everything that was going on, and felt so so so...... KING OF THE ROAD!!!
One of the best things about the car, which i think alot of people may need to get used to is.... My god does everyone stare at you! it is the biggest head turner i have ever seen, i mean literally everyone was looking, jaws dropping, even people with thumbs up! if your not one for attention, this is not the car for you, personally i loved it!!!
There is alot of talk about figures, lap times, what is faster, what is better, etc... All i say is just wait till you get your R8, all that will go out of the window and just pure driving pleasure will be all that your interested in, as The R8 is a pure pleasure to drive, fast and around town. Its not always about who is faster and what else is quicker, its about how good the whole car is and how it makes you feel (ull feel like a megastar). everyone that has an order of one of these, your very lucky, be patient, because it is so so so worth the wait!
I will add some pics, if i could find my Bloody data cable....
Edited by nubbin. on Monday 30th July 14:55
Today I took ultimate pleasure in driving what i had been waiting for! The manual gearbox R8. I have driven the R-tronic and loved it, and thought it was way better than id expected.
Unfortunatly the manual was already on a high pedestal, as i much prefer manual cars due to the proper feel of the car, you can control and feel everything, manual lovers will know what im on about....
Anyway... Fortunatly The manual drove like a dream!!! It was awesome, from the moment i selected first gear i could feel the difference. i knew straight away manual was for me... And was not difficult to select gears, as i thought it would due to the gate, and having never driven a gated gear stick like that.
There was a nice little chink chink noise when a gear was selected, which was nice, and the clutch was very smoothe and light.
There was one thing that did annoy me slightly, and that was the foot rest is so close to the clutch pedal that when the pedal is depressed the edge of my shoe just clipped the edge of the foot rest, but im sure it something to just get used to, or maybe the shoes i was wearing were just a bit wider than the ergonomically tested shoes.
In comparasion to the R-tronic model, i can say that the gear changing in the R-tronic is much quicker, and smoother than the manual, so if looking at using the R8 for solely performance then the R-tronic is the quicker, and one for you. But if your interested in drivability and feeling the car, and being able to do what you want, and for me personally more fun, then the manual box is the way to go.
All in all i am impressed with both gearbox varients and which ever you have ordered im sure you will love as they are both very good in different ways.
Unfortunatly the manual was already on a high pedestal, as i much prefer manual cars due to the proper feel of the car, you can control and feel everything, manual lovers will know what im on about....
Anyway... Fortunatly The manual drove like a dream!!! It was awesome, from the moment i selected first gear i could feel the difference. i knew straight away manual was for me... And was not difficult to select gears, as i thought it would due to the gate, and having never driven a gated gear stick like that.
There was a nice little chink chink noise when a gear was selected, which was nice, and the clutch was very smoothe and light.
There was one thing that did annoy me slightly, and that was the foot rest is so close to the clutch pedal that when the pedal is depressed the edge of my shoe just clipped the edge of the foot rest, but im sure it something to just get used to, or maybe the shoes i was wearing were just a bit wider than the ergonomically tested shoes.
In comparasion to the R-tronic model, i can say that the gear changing in the R-tronic is much quicker, and smoother than the manual, so if looking at using the R8 for solely performance then the R-tronic is the quicker, and one for you. But if your interested in drivability and feeling the car, and being able to do what you want, and for me personally more fun, then the manual box is the way to go.
All in all i am impressed with both gearbox varients and which ever you have ordered im sure you will love as they are both very good in different ways.
Edited by nubbin. on Monday 30th July 14:56
DoctorD said:
Thanks for the insight Rob, I should be driving one in the next few days and I mine is due to be delivered mid way through next year.
They do really drive as good as they look, and they look fantastic! your a lucky man to have one on order! You will love it on the test drive.... What are your specs?I have ordered:
Mugello Blue with Oxygen Silver Sideblades
Sport Bucket Seats (i.e. not the 30kg heavier electric seats)
Standard Sports suspension (i.e. non Magnetic Ride)
Manual (i.e. not the R-tronic)
Sat Nav Plus
B&O sound
Cruise control
Light package
Acoustic Parking
Tyre pressure monitor
Heated seats
Stainless steel pedals
Mugello Blue with Oxygen Silver Sideblades
Sport Bucket Seats (i.e. not the 30kg heavier electric seats)
Standard Sports suspension (i.e. non Magnetic Ride)
Manual (i.e. not the R-tronic)
Sat Nav Plus
B&O sound
Cruise control
Light package
Acoustic Parking
Tyre pressure monitor
Heated seats
Stainless steel pedals
Edited by DoctorD on Saturday 21st July 12:29
DoctorD said:
Thanks for the insight Rob, I should be driving one in the next few days and I mine is due to be delivered mid way through next year.
I notice on your profile that delivery is down as Dec 2007? Just wondered if Audi had pushed it back for some reason or just a personal thing?
Gompo said:
DoctorD said:
Thanks for the insight Rob, I should be driving one in the next few days and I mine is due to be delivered mid way through next year.
I notice on your profile that delivery is down as Dec 2007? Just wondered if Audi had pushed it back for some reason or just a personal thing?Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff