Tested Audi R8 V10

Brisk air and gentle sun might be the hallmarks of sublime Marbella, Spain, but there was a gathering storm … the eagerly-awaited new Audi R8 V10.  

For any serious, self-respecting petrol-head there would be no pain in Spain.

This fabulous and ferocious V10 boasts 520 horses and pushes nearly 391lb-ft of torque so, granted, may not be the vehicle of choice for those looking for a car that does double duty as a hot ride and  planet-saver too. However, it still more than passes muster compared to much of the competition in that regard.

Yet who will buy such a stunningly beautiful, turn-on of a vehicle that may be seen as expensive and impractical in these perilous economic times? Plenty, it appears.

It seems that those most likely to get the chequebooks out will be in the 47-48 year-old bracket, and, fairly obviously, with a few dollars in the bank.  If they are in the US and Europe the Audi folk suggest they’re probably “celebrities and banking types”. In the Gulf, well, it’s simply successful customers who remain able to purchase the epitome of excellence in automotive engineering. That would, in all likelihood, mean they probably got out of real estate a while ago.
The earlier version of the R8 flew off the stand like Usain Bolt at the last Dubai Motor Show, so get ready for similar emphatic impact on the Gulf market before too long.

The R8 V10 is definitely not shy about how well it can perform with its 5.2-litre engine with top speeds that can reach 196 mph. This much power delivers you to your destination quickly at an average of about 13.7 litres per 100km. For the record, this V10 does better in fuel economy than most V8s in its class, even outdoing its predecessor, the R8 V8.

Punch the petrol and you will get G-force-type ‘go’ as the valves open up at 3,000 rpm. The engine purrs behind you at 4,000. From the transmission, power reaches the massive P235/35R19 front and P295/30R19 rear tyres through Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system – sending 85 per cent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, which imparts a rear-drive feel to the road-ready race car.

We experienced the R8 V10 from the mountains to the sea in Southern Spain and also on the imposing Ascari Race Track. Being the first of its kind in Spain, the Ascari race resort is situated in beautiful, secluded, Ronda Valley. The luxury course combines affluence with adrenaline and is the longest motor track in Spain totaling 5,425 metres and features a 20-room lux’ hotel for pampering high-profile guests.

Indeed, this easy-to-drive sportster seems just as happy on surface streets as it is on the track. Getting from one end of marvelous Marbella to the other was a sheer pleasure. This means the R8 V10 will be just as cool driving between Dubai’s Jebel Ali and Sharjah as it will be carving up the Dubai Autodrome or Losail Circuit.

Specs are good and fine for performance enthusiasts but the R8’s understated yet sexy design piques the interest of not only  those 47-48-year old bankers but even  80-something farmers in the Spanish countryside.  

If it needs to be explained that a great piece of motoring metal speaks all languages it is evidenced by the following example. An ebullient little man was shuffling down the road and stumbled upon us pulled over for photos. His face was a roadmap of where life had taken him, and it was unlikely it was in an Audi. The fastest he’d have ever driven would be on his tractor delivering hay.

He grinned the warmest gummy-smile and said, “Coche hermoso”. Translation (thanks to schooldays in Los Angeles and boxer Oscar De La Hoya living down the road) “Beautiful car” and went on his way, one happy guy. Me too.

He was dead right. Beautiful car it is, gringo. Based on the highly successful design of the Le Mans racing car, few exterior changes were made. An Audi engineer tells me this styling is “sharpening it up a bit” compared to its V8 counterpart. Proportions remain large and are a telling part of its aggressive power.

Europe has some of the world’s best roads – make that the best – but also plenty that are none too flash. Some of the uneven surfaces we drove over would be downright punishing to any average vehicle but the new R8’s superior magnetic ride suspension dampened the bumps and pot holes.  Does that whet your appetite a little for some of the Gulf compounds and their ubiquitous speed bumps?

The car’s responsive and razor-sharp maneuverability came in more than handy when we had star-struck local lads trying to get a close-up of the new Audi as they squeezed their cars and bikes through traffic just to be next to this beauty.

All through town, the German contingent was all the rage. Camera phones seemed a constant companion to the R8 V10. There was filming and flashing at every intersection we stopped at, more akin to a red carpet night. This is probably what Paris Hilton feels like. In fact, imagine putting Paris Hilton in an R8 V10!  
All this attention and activity did not go unnoticed by la policia.  While we heard that a number of speeding tickets were handed out to eager journos – not from the Middle East I hasten to add - behind the wheel of this amazing car, I was still duty bound to give it a nudge.

It seems something consumes you when you’re reclining in the sumptuous Napa leather seat. A level-headed journalist becomes a temporary, counterfeit, race car driver. An easy foot takes on the weight of lead and getting out of first gear felt like a horse chomping at the bit. The six-speed manual transmission gave low bass melody at every shift and you then understand why this technology has won eight Le Mans titles for Audi.

OK, nothing out of order, but as those trees and buildings flickered by I still caught glimpses of  old ladies, small kids and absolutely adoring young guys lining the road to wave as the standard equipped navigation system carried us along into the mountainsides of Marbella. The young men who ogled the vehicle, many in soccer (OK, football) T-shirts, clearly found another sporting hero to Ronaldo as the V10 roared by.

Climbing up the blind domes that revealed breathtaking beach just off every cliff was effortless with Audi’s incomparable FSI Quattro. This full-time all-wheel drive system can even quell the fear in acrophobes as the R8 took us up over 3,000 metres without flinching.

The bluffs that dared us to come closer were no problem for the stability, traction and unparalleled steering accuracy of the R8. With no guard rails to keep you on the pavement, the Quattro grip was supplemented by its 90 degree cylinder angle engine which provided a low centre of gravity and was well supported by a feather-touch braking system.

Audi’s (optional) ceramic disk brakes held up well under the stress caused by race car driver-wanna-be’s and are said to be corrosion free. Housed in large calipers painted anthracite gray, even the brakes are real-deal cool. By simply pressing a button, the R8 can be switched into sport mode that allows for more play out of a hard curve with surprisingly safe over-steer. The same can be said for the ESP button and traction control.

Dark, carbon-fibre sideblades flair out from behind the coupe’s doors to cool a hungry engine in back. Some critics argue that these prominent features decrease the appeal of the new R8 but this journo begs to differ. Think the giant gills of a great white shark. Its gills only add to the fierce profile.

At first sight the Audi R8 V10 spoke to me as one gorgeous, continuous brush stroke on the canvas that is Marbella. It didn’t scream and beg for my attention – it commanded it. Unlike ‘more exotic’ Italian speedsters, the R8 possessed a humble beauty and let performance do the talking.

Audi’s new crown jewel is the first of its kind to offer a full LED headlamp in all components; day-time running lights, parking lights, low-beams and highs. This makes for crystal-clear lighting on your stylish travels and makes the R8 sparkle like diamonds. After running my fingers across its clean, smooth lines, I opened the door to be greeted by rich Napa leather throughout and that ether we all know as ‘new car smell.’

The R8 is easy to get in and out of.  Unlike a lot of sports cars, you don’t need to be twisted and tied like you’re flying an early Sputnik. Controls are easy to find and navigate. Despite its ferocious potential, this is a car for everyone, except maybe the most serious tree huggers as mentioned earlier. You can have a great time without having NASCAR pedigree – but what a buzz if you do have it!

The power sport bucket seats were roomy enough for a 6’4” photographer to drive without feeling cramped and moved in a way that cradled a 5’5” writer. As the seat sides raised to hug my hips and tilted just so that I could see over the hood, I noticed that none of the R8’s were equipped with moon roofs. As of now, Audi has refrained from answering a definite yes or no to the idea of moon roofs or T-tops. Trying to stay closer to its roots as a Le Mans car, perhaps? Fine by me with their Alcantara headliner option.

So no sun or star-light beaming down into the car as you’re driving, an easy disappointment to get over as soon as the ignition key turns on to reveal crisp interior/dash lighting and a 465-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system which you can program to tailor-fit your musical taste.

The on-board nav-system, radio, six-disc changer, heat/air conditioning and driver information center is all located behind one fairly large screen. For those who add the reverse rear-camera option, this screen multi-tasks as that too. Seeing as the nav-system is standard in the V10 model, one should familiarize with its constant calibration of location (which was very frustrating at first) but with a bit of practice and getting-used-to, the navigation system isn’t as daunting a programme to learn as I first thought.

Regardless, with touch-screen technology fast becoming the design of choice (such as the celebrated iPhone), I asked the engineering team why they didn’t opt for the touch technology for their navigation system. The reply was mixed. Apparently some engineers really pushed for the touch style nav while most remained traditionalists. Looks like orthodoxy won this one for now. But you iPhone and Blackberry Touch toting venture capitalists out there need not fret. Talks about the touch screen and integrated cell phone are underway.

On old, mountainous roads, crowded downtown streets, multi-lane highways or on a track where the V10 fulfills its destiny, the new Audi R8 (six-speed manual and six-speed auto) was the toast of the town (every town!) and gives a sublime, uninterrupted ride. Take note, the V8 predecessor growled, this baby snarls. Luv it.

You’ll find the R8 V10 blisteringly fast, totally desirable and totally gorgeous. There won’t be much change from $200,000 but the rumour mill has it that several hundred orders are lined up for this luxury rocket. Sure, it’s a lot of money, but if you’ve got it (if you’re getting finance, can you let us know which bank?) this car is worth every cent.

Expected in Gulf showrooms in the second quarter of 2009, we have a vehicle that aims to swerve past the economic downturn while Audi’s Middle East boss Jeff Mannering makes a few notes for his acceptance speech for the batch of awards this car will surely win. It has everything to carve a niche in the supercar hall of fame.