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By ROBIN ROBERTS
One’s an international product with a global reputation for quality and its latest stylish offering is encased in a sleek aluminium shell available in strictly limited numbers. The other is the Audi R8.
As I looked at my R8 on the quayside in Bandol against a backdrop of colourful yachts and swinging masts I saw it immediately attracted attention from passers-by who, in this some south of France resort, are use to seeing Ferraris, Porsche, Lamborghinis.
Pedestrians stopped to stare, motorists made hand gestures to passengers and slowed to a crawl as they passed and even the local police took a friendly interest and overlooked it was parked partly on a deliveries-only bay.
My colleague and I had judiciously placed the car to gauge public reaction while we sat across the road and decided to experience another style statement, a Heineken beer served in a very sleek silver and green aluminium can.
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Like the car across the road, we knew the product, but we had not seen this “model” beer before as it’s available only to bars for resale. Stylish, just like the two-seater Audi R8.
The mid-engined, all-aluminium “Super TT” comes with a 420PS 4.2V8 and six-speed manual or automatic transmission from £76,825 and £82,025 respectively.
Permanent quattro four wheel drive is standard but owners can specify the Audi magnetic ride damping system as well and ceramic brakes.
The all-aluminium chassis and body with composite panels tips the scales at 1600KG, so its power to weight ratio gives it a 0-62mph time of 4.6sec and the highly aerodynamic shape slip it to 187mph and 20mpg.
The body design sucks it to the road at speed and the addition of a small tail spoiler allied with wide tyres and near perfect balance give it exceptional stability and road holding.
Optional magnetic suspension means owners can fine tune the ride and the enthusiastic buyers can even specify racing-type ceramic brakes for fade-free performance.
Standard trim includes 19-inch alloys, bi-xenon lights, air conditioning, Nappa upholstery together with sophisticated sound system while options include lighted engine bay behind the occupants, carbon and additional leather trim, sat nav with higher grade entertainment system.
In the UK, just 450 Audi R8 models will be delivered this year and the waiting list already runs to 18-months with 750 cars next year.
In a brief first drive of the six-speed manual and R tronic models, the responses, ride and handling as well as the comfort and composure were highlights. The engine spins like an enormous sewing machine behind your head while the quattro drive delivers the power with balance and assurance on any surface.
The big brakes slow it extremely quickly and the hydraulically powered steering has reasonable feel, while I preferred the manual to R tronic version.
Playing with the optional magnetic damping allows the driver to enjoy the car over a wide range of roads.
It is surprisingly comfortable for a 187mph sports car with excellent seat movement range and a manual fully adjustable column.
One of the most distinctive features of the front are day-running lights in a bead-like pattern around the headlights.
Without a doubt the Audi R8 will become a future classic as well as being a delight to drive today.
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©ROBIN ROBERTS WheelsWithinWales
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