Audi R8 V10 test drive since 2008 compartment
Strong move
In each class, Audi necessarily offers sports, hot versions. This is RS4, and RS6, and S8. This time a completely new, exclusive, unforgettable city car, whose name R8 was created. This car can not be seen in the parking lot for huge SUVs, since the height of R8 is only 1252 mm. But it is impossible to pass by him. The cunningly narrowed eyes of the optics, summed up by a strip of bright LEDs, piercingly look at people passing by. A huge grille of the radiator goes into the ground. A complete feeling is created that the car lies on the ground. Behind the car seems somehow disproportionate. Unless, of course, compare it with ordinary machines. But the fact of the matter is that it is unusual. With a small height, the body is released with a solid width of 1904 mm. Huge wheels and widely placed nozzles of a bifurcated exhaust system complement the appearance. Something very similar to the roof flaunts from above, but in fact, something turns out to be a lid of the trunk. Under it, the powerful V8 engine, located directly in the center, is clearly visible. Yes, Audi R8 is a car with a medium -measurement layout of the power unit.
A massive door without a frame opens access to the salon. You immediately understand that this is a car for an egoist. Why? Yes, because in most mid -class cars five people are easily placed. And here in the back of 4431 mm there is a place for only two. At the back there is only a small shelf on which you can throw an umbrella. And then, behind the thin glass, 420 horsepower await their hour. It’s convenient to drive. There is a certain compromise between sports and the comfort of premium machines. The abundance of aluminum inserts, buckets of seats and a central console slightly turned to the driver are reminiscent of a sports orientation. Planting in the R8 facilitates a mowing steering wheel attribute of sports car.
But do not forget that R8 is a civilian car. Three turns of the steering wheel from the stop to the stop when maneuvering in the city have to be used completely. Sometimes the hands miss the chubby bagel. For premium in the cabin, high -quality finishing materials are responsible, pleasant to the touch plastic and magnificent finish skin.
During movement, a 6-speed robotic box R-tone, like seeds, eliminates the gears. KP can be used in two main modes manual and automatic. The program is so clearly spelled out that the car reacts faster on the machine to press the gas pedal. But if you switch on your own, then this can be done by pulling the KP lever forward/backward or with the help of steering wheel petals. Starting the motor, during which the bass voice of the V-shaped six penetrates into the salon, is accompanied by small vibrations. We click on the gas, go. Wide wheels and a closely located engine do not contribute to acoustic comfort. Passers -by, and the neighbors in the stream, if they do not see, they will surely hear. A quiet at idle, the engine explodes with a wild penetrating roar at maximum speed, as well as for the discharge of gas.
At the first moment, it is worth treating the gas pedal more tender. It is enough to press more hard how the heart freezes, and so much adrenaline is injected into the blood that the pulse does not return to normal for a long time. It is not surprising, because acceleration up to hundreds takes only 4.6 s, and the mark of 200 km/h R8 reaches 16 s. Fast? Very fast! In this case, a huge thrust is observed. It seems that the speed limit is not in principle. In fact, there is. The maximum speed is limited by electronics for 301 km/h. Alas, it was not possible to check this on the territory of the Dmitrovsky training ground due to the insufficient length of special roads. But we took the line of 297 km/h.
With a speed set, the steering wheel is heavy, and the suspension becomes tougher. Each grain of sand and the imperfection of the road surface is felt. At the same time, even at such a high speed, the R8 adequately responds to all teams. Engineers seriously worked on aerodynamics. Before the maximum speed passport, they promise an almost complete absence of lifting force. It was possible to achieve such a result thanks to a small clearance, an absolutely flat bottom with a developed system of air flow channels and an automatically advanced spoiler. The car goes like rails. Confirmation of this by our testers is eighteen -meter slalom, which is overcome over 10 C at an average speed of 70 km/h. A long rearrangement according to the ISO standard, the car flew 148 km/h! R8 clings to the road like a spider. Only instead of small hooks on the paws are there lamellas of 18 -inch tires. The size of the front 235/40, the rear 285/35.
At high speed, it seems that other cars found on the highway are just standing. The driver’s task only to calmly go around these obstacles (it will not be said with the traffic police). Sustainability during maneuvers R8 owes a complete drive with the most close to ideal weighting along the axes of 50/50. After acceleration, a reasonable question arises: how does this car stop? The braking distance with 100 km/h was 35 m, and from 190 km/h 130 m. You can order ceramic brake discs with a large resource and more efficiency. If desired to the Black Sea on the R8, you can house in five hours. True, for this you need a perfectly flat route, on which, moreover, there will be no road order with radars in honest hands. And since this is impossible, the trip will stretch a little. In any case, bathing accessories, a towel, as well as a suitcase with money for gasoline, can be thrown into a small trunk located in front of the car. Nothing else will fit there.
Body
+ Design, preservation of family features Audi
Driving comfort
+ Convenient landing, good ergonomics
- mediocre sound insulation
Power unit
+ Great power indicators
+ Uniform traction in the entire speed range
Cherry properties
+ Maximum information content of the steering, confidence of the full -wheel drive
Safety
+ Developed power structure and modern materials
Environmental friendliness
+ acceptable fuel consumption for such a powerful motor
+ Compliance with toxicity standards
Expert
Eduard Shivorshinov, 34 years old, test-pilot, driving experience of 16 years. Drives to: Mercedes-Benz G300 TD and V220 CDI
The right solution was chosen by Audi engineers, creating a new sports car, and not charging the next version of the model range. R8 a car that combined a sporting character while maintaining some civil qualities, for example, such as the luxury of the salon. In the management of Audi R8, a minimum of compromises, the suspension is maximally clamped, the steering wheel is acute, the gas pedal is characterized by lightning feeds. But with all this aggressive set, you can feel quite comfortable in the slow city stream, just choose the usual drive and dose fuel in small portions.
Our assessment
Did the Audi engineers, designers and designers conducted a successful experiment by creating this sports car? Yes, successful! Audi R8 demonstrates the perfect synthesis of sports and comfort. The machine is able to give true pleasure from the drive, but it is worth being prepared for some sports inconvenience and the increased attention of others.
Maxim Egorov
Photo: Sergey Krestov
Source: Magazine 5 wheel [December 2007]
