I took our Audi R8 out to my mountain-road drive route, one that I've been using for a couple years now and most recently drove in our long-term GT-R. Quite simply, the R8 rocked -- it was the most memorable drive I've had in a long time.
Considering that the R8 is the most expensive car in our fleet (about 3.5 times as much as our 135i), maybe this shouldn't be a surprise. But the difference between the GT-R -- a car that betters the R8 in many hard-number performance tests -- and the R8 was simply stunning.
Thanks to its direct and communicative steering, I instantly felt comfortable with the R8. There's a unexpected level of driver-car connection present, and the R8's ability to change direction while remaining stable and compliant with the road was remarkable. Based on its responses and petite dimensions, you'd never guess that it weighs around 3,600 pounds.
The throaty V8 is plenty strong and sounds great. Too bad the R tronic transmission is still bollocks. But on this drive, at least, my aggressive throttle inputs along with use of the sport mode and lifting off the throttle for upshifts reduced the jerkiness a lot. Plus, it still did trick rev-matched downshifts, and you can left-foot brake, too.
Like the GT-R, the R8's capabilities are too high to fully explore on a public road. But with the added confidence I had in the R8, I was having more fun -- and likely going faster -- even though their capabilities are so similar. (It would have been interesting to have the retired long-term Brauermobile Ford GT along, as Karl recently compared it to the GT-R
. As a substitute, though, check out Jacquot's Ultimate Performance Car Test
we published last May, which puts together the R8, GT-R and a 911.)
At $132,745, our R8 is no bargain. But ever since this drive, the thought of getting a used R8 V10 many years down the road seems like a grand idea.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
dougtheeng says:
10:57 AM, 02/ 5/09
Its a gorgeous vehicle, no doubt. I'd settle for taking my MINI on that road!
dougtheeng says:
10:58 AM, 02/ 5/09
Also, what happened to the 2009 Honda Fit post I just saw above this one? It has vanished! Are we not supposed to know about the Fit? Because if thats the case.....that cats outta the bag.
dderosa says:
11:06 AM, 02/ 5/09
Jeez you guys are quick. Someone jumped the gun on the Fit. You'll have to wait until 9pm PT tonight for the official Introduction.
epbrown says:
11:07 AM, 02/ 5/09
The Fit shows in the listing of current cars as well. I'm thinking we can wave bye-bye to the Smart soon. :)
arm51 says:
11:24 AM, 02/ 5/09
Too bad you guys weren't able to get a 3-pedal R8. Regardless, that road is gorgeous and I'd love to drive any performance car on it!
israelgt says:
11:47 AM, 02/ 5/09
Wow you guys just hate the GT-R, every chance to smear it a little...
I wonder why it beat the beloved German on "evo", "CAR". I guess its something about American magazines and German cars.
g8gtnorth says:
12:45 PM, 02/ 5/09
Israelgt - Ease up there hoss. It's just an opinion.
Brent prefering the R8 to the GT-R on this road does not a conclusion make. Plus if you look through the blog entries, there are easily a handfull of times where editors and contributors alike have prefered the GT-R to the R8 in a variety of different conditions.
g8gtnorth says:
12:53 PM, 02/ 5/09
Oh and Brent, that looks to be an epic drive. Colour me jealous.
desmolicious says:
01:20 PM, 02/ 5/09
Is that Tepesquet Canyon?
huyracing says:
01:23 PM, 02/ 5/09
German's just have the best touch when it comes to suspension tuning. They may achieve big numbers or not, but its all about feel. That feel leads to greater confidence and a more enjoyable drive.
chavis10 says:
01:29 PM, 02/ 5/09
Brent- you might want to hold off on those used R8 V10 aspirations as the car isn't even confirmed for US consumption at this time. Also, the price seems a bit ridiculous for the added performance.
chavis10 says:
01:33 PM, 02/ 5/09
yay- another Fit. Can Honda possibly design an uglier vehicle?
bromans says:
01:36 PM, 02/ 5/09
It's Trimmer Springs road near Pine Flat lake, which is east of Fresno, CA.
bradyholt says:
01:42 PM, 02/ 5/09
"Can Honda possibly design an uglier vehicle?"
I hope you're not doubting Honda's expertise in that area. They consistently demonstrate that yes, they can always manage to design an uglier vehicle.
minibro77 says:
03:05 PM, 02/ 5/09
What a great looking Audi. Definitely the best looking Audi ever in my opinion. The new A5/S5 is nice as well but this car really does it for me.
cx7lover says:
03:36 PM, 02/ 5/09
ughhh another Fit. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if a Traverse came into the fleet. Hell while they're at it pickup a Ralliart, WRX and FX35. Such redundancy isn't needed, that spot could have gone to something you haven't had in before. The 09 Fit might be "all-new" but it's still essentially the same thing.
vegaspeed says:
04:18 PM, 02/ 5/09
Brent,
Which route did you take it on?
Would like to do the same with my R8 next time I am in SoCal
e10rice says:
05:47 PM, 02/ 5/09
Thats an epic photo. I wish i had mountains near me.
desmolicious says:
09:11 PM, 02/ 5/09
What Edmunds should do is a street and track comparo of the R8 and the 2009 320hp Porsche CaymanS.
Interesting to see who makes the better German mid-engine sports car.
1487 says:
05:51 AM, 02/ 6/09
"I hope you're not doubting Honda's expertise in that area. They consistently demonstrate that yes, they can always manage to design an uglier vehicle."
True indeed. Stay tuned for a 2009 Accord and 2010 135i convertible and a Lancer Ralliart.
I'm glad the R8 was nice to drive on that road but that should be expected. Are there any $132k cars that arent nice to drive? I havent heard of any so far. I got a chance to sit in the R8 and Zr1 last week at the auto show. While the R8's interior is fancier I have to say the Zr1's interior is not the disaster reported by the media. The leather dash and carbon fiber like accents are pretty nice and the layout (as with all Vettes) is fine. If I saw correctly the CD changer for the R8 was in the back between the seats. Kind of awkward.
stingray454 says:
07:31 AM, 02/ 6/09
The R8 is a great vehicle. But as you pointed out, at $132k, it damned well better be!
My only complaint about it, is for the price, it should come with at least 500hp. That would make a great car fantastic. I know the new V-10 model will get you there, but now you're talking $180k+.
CarGuy997 says:
12:34 PM, 02/ 6/09
Have you guys considered running some sort of 911 (Carrera S or GT3, perhaps) for a long-term test? Its nice that you're comparing the Audi R8 to the 911 in terms of the best everyday sports car, but you'd be all the more informed if you ran them side by side.