Audi R8 V8 Test Drive since 2007 compartment
Familiar handwriting
What is the first central motor sports car Audi Nevertheless, before getting to the highlight of running qualities, you should linger on the appearance and decoration of the Audi R8, the car is worth it.
I note that over the past two years, the Audi model gamut has been replenished at once by two A5 and R8 coupes, which once again confirming the sports ambitions of a German company. But if A5 is a prestigious full -sized coupe, then the R8 -BESCOMARICAL sports car has a central -motor layout. I don’t remember that over the past half a century, Audi produced such machines, except for the prototypes of the Le Mans series (by the way, the name R8). And with the sportsmen Walter and Silva certainly does not miss. As, however, I did not notice his mistakes before, with Alfa Romeo. If anything did not get to the manufacturer from Ingolstadt, it is hot Italian blood, and Italian emotionality and impeccability in design. Now the Germans have yes Silva and Lamborghini. So R8 appeared in fact, the first car with four rings, designed by Italian master from scratch.
Here I look at the photograph, and I understand that even the highest quality pictures cannot convey the living charm of the model. The exterior of the R8 is not important from which corner to look at the car. Carbon elements, of which there are many not only outside, emphasize not triviality of appearance. Well, the transparent glass of the motor compartment can be considered a symbol of belonging to the class of supercars and kinship with Lamborghini. Let Ferrari, Saleen or Pagani use the same solution. In addition, when in the V8 FSI database, it’s a sin not to demonstrate it. The oval roof, which is quite sharply passing into the stern, which is especially noticeable when looking into the profile, the decision is bold and successfully implemented. A slightly upturned back with a extending spoiler, radiator grilles and four bells of the loud exhaust system, each element is thought out and appropriate. However, daytime impressions fade at night. In the dark, the car begins to glow, special expressiveness to him stylish cilia in the front headlights and rectangles on the stern. I have not seen such LED grace yet! But for some reason I have no doubt that I will soon see
The smell of adrenaline In fact, I have no idea how adrenaline smells in its pure form if it has a smell at all. But its influx in the blood is associated with a specific and thin aroma of expensive skin and polished metal. In a new, good and expensive car, it is certainly present. Audi R8 is no exception.
In my opinion, the main advantage of the eight interior is that it does not feel unification, with the exception of some annoying trifles like a standard key, like from A3. The salon is solved in the high-tech style, in his decoration the hand of the master is definitely felt. In addition, it is amazingly ergonomic and convenient. The seat in the degree of lateral support, the profile of the back and its length is a real racing chair. At the same time, it is quite soft, endowed with a wide range of electrical adjustments, including the possibility of changing the degree and place of lumbar support, as well as sheathed with the skin of good dressing. The same noble material is trimmed with a steering wheel, door sidewalls, part of the central console and the entire front panel, including a visor of the instrument panel. There is almost no plastic inside just a button, a monitor frame and decorative panels that cover the speakers. All other elements are the same skin, carbon or cold metal. But these plastic plugs
The thing is that the R8 is equipped with a very high -quality Bang & Olufsen audio system. It sounds excellently, but on a test car, a lining above the right rear column disgusted even at a small volume. You will add a sound, and begins to buzz already and behind the left ear, what is it?! Italian sloppiness in the little things or the lack of one specific car? I do not presume to say anything, but even an accident is definitely not to face.
In general, the interior of the Audi R8 can rightfully be put on a par with the best examples of salons from the world of sportsmen. By thoughtfulness and functionality, it is practically in no way inferior not only by Mercedes-Benz, but also by Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini. At the same time, all the benefits of civilization can be found here. This, of course, is climate control, adjustable both in height and in departure of the steering column, heating the seats and the branded multimedia MMI interface, which was somewhat changed for this model. The joystick of control and keys at its edges became smaller, and they are located directly under the color monitor. The only thing that the owner can upset the small trunk in front (100 l), small pockets in the doors, a modest glove compartment and a small compartment in the central armrest. Only the regiment is saved by a width of 20-30 centimeters between seats and a motor compartment, sheathed with a fiber fabric.
Not the slightest disappointment Experts still at the stage of work on the Audi R8 distributed rumors, they say, a mighty V10 from Lamborghini will be installed under the hood. The company decided to do with its own power unit, which, I dare to assure, is also an excellent product of modern engineering. Eight of the V-shaped cylinders have a total volume of 4.2 liters. Thanks to a fairly high degree of forcing (it is easy to move to 8000 rpm), without any turbines and superchargers, the motor offers 420 hp at the disposal of the driver. Power and 430 Nm of the maximum torque. That is, by a hundred forces from each liter of volume, this is a good indicator. In addition, the power unit is equipped with a lubricant system with a dry crankcase, as in true sportsmen, as well as a FSI fuel direct injection system.
Despite the central -engineer layout, the R8 has a company all -wheel drive transmission of QUATTRO.
Respectively modified. Her heart is Viskoft, configured in such a way that from 10 to 35% of power is supplied to the front wheels. That is, the all -wheel drive system completely allows you to start with smoke from under the wheels and with a breakdown of the rear axle, providing perky controllability. In other words, at a sharp start from the scene of the food, it is set a little sideways. A hundred is exchanged 4.6 seconds after the start, and the maximum speed can reach 301 km/h. Moreover, regardless of the chosen type of KP mechanical 6-speed, or semi-automatic R-Tronic.
On the go, the car is amazingly stable. With the correct handling correctly with it, a hard, entirely aluminum body and very tenacious Pirelli tires are able to withstand very serious lateral accelerations. The R8 has almost neutral rotation, which, coupled with a full -wheel drive transmission predicted in habits, allows you to go very quickly. You can even slip in a bend. Although one should not forget about the central motor layout and appropriate weightlifting (44% of the mass falls on the front axle, 56%- on the rear). It is easy to tighten the car with a wolf, it is not easy to catch in time. Therefore, it is better not to make mistakes behind the wheel. A small skid with illiterate handling can very quickly develop into an uncontrolled sliding or turning, so that stretching front wheels will not help. You should definitely not enter the turns of full gas, and then drop it sharply without the appropriate adjustment by the steering wheel to plow the body into sliding, which is not so easy not to control, but to extinguish. Fortunately, the serial model is equipped with an ESP stabilization system, which, although it allows some liberties, has a clear threshold of operation. On the other hand, I do not tire of repeating this, any electronics against the laws of physics is powerless. 
In general, the Audi R8 is designed for professional appeal accurate, fast, but neat, I would even say tender. And then she gives breathtaking sensations. Open the window, muffle the music, appreciated by the roar of the exhaust system and you will understand that the tonic composition can pour into the body and through the ears. Not the slightest disappointment! The only question is how long you are ready to experience your physical capabilities, feel the rigidity of suspensions, check the adhesive capabilities of tires. At the same time, a crazy drive can be stopped at any time with a pleasant feature of the R8 is that in principle, you can drive on this machine every day. True, you should know that the semi-automatic KP R-Tronic is not too friendly in automatic mode. Firstly, when switching, it tugs significantly. The imitation of the squeezing of the clutch (in fact, the opening speed of the discs and the inclusion of the next step) is quite rough. In addition, and secondly, it is worth a little stronger to tap the accelerator pedal, as the box will go very quickly from the 5th to the 3rd, and you will press you in the back of the chair, which you really may not be desired. Just the pedal is quite sensitive and has a small move. As, by the way, the brake pedal, which at low speeds seems very susceptible and short -term.
But here's what it is noteworthy if you take the management process completely under your control, it turns out much better. You can independently push the metal knob of the CP, very conveniently located, and at the same time imitate the discharge of gas with the right foot (as when driving by car with a mechanical gearbox), and then the switching becomes invisible.
There is also the opportunity to use the lamb specialized on the back (in truth, they could be made of metal and a little larger). Meanwhile, having adopted, you understand that in fact, the speed with which two clutch discs in the gearbox open is open is optimal. If you go by car at a combat pace, switching at 5, 6, or even 7.5 thousand rpm, the shift of the gears occurs with almost lightning speed and without special jerks. The same applies to the brakes, the effort on which, starting at a speed of 40-60 km/h, is clearly dosed. Of course, there are no complaints to the power of calipers, they are able to stop the car so quickly that traces of seat belts can remain on the chest. Naturally, the mechanisms are equipped with the latter generation ABS and the system of distribution of brake forces. In a word, the R8 is designed for active and fast riding.
There are wishes
The Audi R8 capacity of the performance can be considered a full-fledged competitor to Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz SL, and even how strange it will not sound, the friendly model Lamborghini Gallardo. True, R8 is cheaper than Gallardo. In the salons of official dealers, sports car from Ingolstadt is sold for 133,643 euros (version with a 6-speed manual transmission), or for 142,812 (with a semi-automatic KP R-Tronic). I will add that, given the clearance of the car, I personally would not dare to use it in winter.
What else? There is still a wish of the company to do trifles. Eliminate rattling plastic and provide a sports car with the engine starting button. Or at least make the key different from the more affordable Audi models. The car deserves such touching care, and its potential owner of special respect
Andrey Osipov
