There is a button on the R8's console with a picture of a shock absorber on it. Press it and the R8's magnetically-adjustable dampers go into sport mode. After thousands of miles behind the wheel, we have found little use for it.
We have no doubt that it actually does something, but given the R8's capabilities in "normal" mode, there doesn't seem like much of a need for more aggressive damper settings. The few times we tried it, the R8 just felt more nervous and less comfortable. Small bumps felt like large ones and the few degrees of body roll that exist became less obvious.
But like all adjustable systems, there isn't a need for them if the original suspension tune feels right to begin with. Sure, manual adjustment can push the parameters more aggressively in one direction or another, but it hardly seems worth the effort. Just get it right the first time and no one will wish for more.
kitw says:
03:26 PM, 09/ 4/09
Most people that buy fast cars don't actually drive them fast. While it doesn't make sense at 8/10ths or 9/10ths, when you are driving well below the limit at say, 5/10ths, (well beyond what the average driver will do, but well short of what car enthusiasts will do) then a too stiff calibration can feel sporty without feeling nervous.
It's just that when you push it harder, the car starts skipping over bumps, etc... I bet to the average driver, the R8 feels more responsive in the sporty calibration, because it MUST handle better if it rides that worse. ;)
ddoouugg says:
05:59 PM, 09/ 4/09
It could help on a track without many bumps.