[beemerbird]

I was promised a test drive and today I got one!

I didn't see the car pull into my driveway........I heard it arrive!! What a beautiful sound

Pretty obvious I'm going to compare this R8 V10 to the Porsche 997 Turbo.

The R8 has an immediate presence as I'm sure many of you will know and that continues when you enter the cabin, effortlessly as well I have to say for a sports car. All the dials are nicely placed and fit well, very well. The whole ambience within the cabin is one of being light and airy with good visibility and a feeling of quality. It was also very straight forward finding an ideal driving position, the pedals are placed perfectly imo.

Turn the key and the senses are immediately bathed in a wonderful deep throaty rumble from the 5.2 litre V10 Lambo engine. Engage first gear and let the clutch out (bites at the end) and away. I immediately noticed this car has heavyish steering as I began to turn the wheel for the first time - spot on and just how it should be, very similar to the Porsche T. This I thought is a nice taste of things to come.

I'd already planned my route along some of East Yorks. finest and empty roads and despite the damp conditions at least the rain had stopped for now. Two miles from home and I'm on country roads and immediately notice that this car feels and is very planted on the road, it sits so flat through the bends and the grip is very impressive. The power delivery is linear and you feel you are being pushed in your seat as the revs increase, this opposed to the Porka T's shove in the back - very different power delivery and easier to 'control' perhaps. After a few minutes I'm getting used to this car and start to take in more of it. The gearbox is slick and smooth, the brakes are superb and the car brakes square and true even from three figure speeds, all very civilised actually but not boring by any means, that sound track alone together with the feedback from the steering is a pleasure in itself.

Onto a fast country road that is not smooth but not too uneven and one I drove along many times in the Porsche at three figure speeds.Time to see how the R8 V10 deals with this surface, bends and attainable speeds. Simple answer very well indeed actually. The steering on the R8 at higher speeds remains nicely weighted and the car does not shake it's head protesting nor moves from the line to which you are travelling, but and it's a small but, this is where there is a difference between the two cars. The Porsche steering is as weighty but there is more movement going on, more talking to the driver through the steering wheel, this movement some may find disconcerting but the car is not going anywhere, in fact it is only going where you point it! The R8 steering at these speeds on these roads was more controlling of the driver and the overall experience I felt. Basically you drive the Porsche more, is a bit more involving and requires more involvement to drive. Minor points perhaps in the grand scheme of things.

I purposefully kept the R8 in sports mode to compare to the Porsche Turbo and the R8 is far less jiggly have to say and would score an advantage here tbh. The Porsche in sports chrono mode would shake the fillings on anything but an even, smooth surface but then you can knock that off and just keep the extra turbo boost, throttle response and the 'masculine' behaviour of the car on normal suspension settings.

As for comparing power hmmm 5.2 ltr V10 producing 518 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 530 NM @ 6,500 rpm as opposed to 3.6 ltr twin turbo producing 480 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 620 NM @ 1,950 rpm 133 bhp per ltr actually. Obviously the new Generation II Turbo is now out and power is different.

Note the torque figures guys 'cos when driving both these cars this is what you DO notice almost immediately. The Porsches max torque is produced so low down the rev range it makes it such an impressive flexible engine in every gear. The R8 has some impressive torque though for a N/A engine and there's plenty there even at low revs but head to head you would need to spin the engine more in the R8 but once you do, I'm confident there 'aint going to be much in it, if at all. The R8 kicks nicely at 5000 rpm and gives an almighty roar just to egg you on further.

The car I drove had only 300 miles or so on the engine and I reckon there's more to come out of it once fully bedded in. But overall, a very, very nice car that is extremely capable of transporting you effortlessly and comfortably across many roads.............but not in a boring manner at all, the R8 is rewarding and bloody enjoyable to drive. Well impressed.

[Mr.N]

Absolutely gorgeous car and excellent write-up!

Thanks for sharing!

[willhollin]

Very nice Helen! Did Steve go with you? (How is he doing?)

[dxb335d]

Hi Helen,

Great Review. The Audi R8 is a stunning car to look at and has major road presence. More than a 911 turBo i think.

This is the only car that gaves Steve's GT-R a run for its money on the straights at the 'Ring.

I have not driven the V10 only the V8 version and agree the caBin is suBlime and feels special. I drove a manual version and its the only Audi I have driven which felt connected to the actual road.

I hopefully will drive the V10 shortly.



Not keen on it in silver, same colour as the V8 version i drove.

[ed335d]

Awesome Helen, nice write-up.

Hope it comes with wipe clean seats!

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Very nice Helen! Did Steve go with you? (How is he doing?)

No he didn't come with me Will, says he can't have any stress at the mo lol. Actually the salesguy had to accompany me as the car is over 400 bhp and it's their policy. Was fine, he dealt with the handover of the S5 and got to know him quite well. He used to be a racing driver and we had a good time blasting about for 45 miles

Steve is doing really well thanks so all good.

Ed: Leather is wipe clean is it not.

Have to say that the R8 is a car I found you can just get in and drive, whereas the Porsche Turbo in manual guise takes more mastering. First to second gear in a manual Porka T is a bit of an art form because the power is there at such low revs, if you keep your foot on the throttle whilst changing into second then you're just going to launch the car basically, the knack is to slightly lift the foot off the throttle, into 2nd and press again. Once mastered you're off like a good 'un.

[creepy coupe]

You're a lucky girl BB, do we get a wiff of a change coming on?

[Steve A]

The best colour combo by far.

I love them

Thanks for sharing x

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

You're a lucky girl BB, do we get a wiff of a change coming on?

No wiff at the mo Del lol.

[ed335d]

If one of those turned up outside my pad, it would be more than Xmas coming early

[Snooky]

Excellent write-up Helen, thanks. I love the R8 and it would be top of the list if my 6 numbers came up at the weekend.

Agree with Carl on the colour - silver doesn't do it justice. I was behind a white one in Edinburgh this morning that looked fantastic (stereo off, window down, wait for the lights to change.......love the sound of that V10!!!).

There was a dark grey one in the Edinburgh Audi showroom recently and I liked that colour too.

How does the R8 V10 compare pricewise with the Porky T??

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by ed335d

If one of those turned up outside my pad, it would be more than Xmas coming early

Me exiting the car would probably soon leave you flat Ed.

Originally Posted by Snooky

How does the R8 V10 compare pricewise with the Porky T??

Hi John, the R8 is £99,580 OTR and the new Generation II Porka T is £101,823 OTR. Both come with decent amounts of kit as standard but I'm not sure what, if any are the 'must haves' on the R8. The Porsche 'must have' is the sport chrono package at £2,629. Porsche does come standard with sat. nav., leather seats all electric & drivers memory, alcantara roof lining and BOSE sound system 13 speakers. Tis something eh!

[SiKkBaSs]

About to read what you have to say now. Only just looked at the pics. What next...Reventon?

Amazing.


How do you get these test drives?

[zltm089]

great review!!!...fink i just came....

[E902717]

Great review Helen!

I love the R8

Don't think silver does it justice, it would be hard for me to choose between a porker T and a R8

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by E902717

it would be hard for me to choose between a porker T and a R8

I'd pick a black porka T.

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

How do you get these test drives?

Don't know really. Suppose originally pulling up in the Porsche helped tbh, they assume I can handle a car with that power. They more or less insisted I have a go in the RS6 saloon which is another very nice car to be fair.

Sales manager said he'd be interested to know how it compares to the Porka T (not that I'm an expert on cars btw!)............oh and I'm an old bird now, maybe they think I'm slowing down in my old age.

Apparently next track day at Cadwell Park has my name on it.

[Carrera RSR]

Lucky girl

Not only were you able to buy a car but get a test drive in your choice of car !!! Two things Audi have failed to do on three previous occasions with me. Must be something you are doing that I clearly am not. Female in a Turbo syndrome with the sales guys maybe????

[mkPOTO]

very nice and nice write up

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by carrerarsr

Lucky girl

Not only were you able to buy a car but get a test drive in your choice of car !!! Two things Audi have failed to do on three previous occasions with me. Must be something you are doing that I clearly am not. Female in a Turbo syndrome with the sales guys maybe????

Maybe I'm just a thoroughly nice person Steve.

More to do with the fact that Audi Grimsby are not corporate Audi per se and a smaller traditional dealership imo. A large corporate dealership in South Yorks. was certainly more 'A typical' in attitude and pushyness shall we say.......and their S5 was slow, been driven by a granny I reckon.

[JLR1969]

The only person who comes round my house is the postman or DHL.

[M3-FAST]

The more I look at that car, the more I WANT IT!!!

It is stunning