On certain days, there are good and solid cars such as the BMW 3 Series, the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota Altis that we get to test drive. Then, there are some days when we get to lay our hands on great and honest ones like the Mazda MX-5, the Suzuki Swift Sport and the Volkswagen Golf.
Then, of course, there are some really special days like today when we get to pilot the Audi R8 - the supercar from Ingolstadt that made headlines at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
You would naturally be expecting us to say something that's really out of this world about the car. But in reality, it's nothing of that sort.
If that's the case, what's this really about?
It's really about man meeting machine, but you should know from the onset that this isn't your standard empty enthusiast story. You see, the Audi R8 5.2, as it's properly dubbed, isn't your typical supercar. It may be the sibling of the angrier and more obnoxious Lamborghini Huracan, but it's nothing quite like it.
That's the part that's so attractive about this car. Instead of going for brutality and arrogance, the engineers and designers of the R8 went for grace and sophistication, remaining intensely yet impressively contrasted to its Italian brethren. And we're not just talking about the way it looks that turn heads.
Then, of course, there are some really special days like today when we get to pilot the Audi R8 - the supercar from Ingolstadt that made headlines at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
You would naturally be expecting us to say something that's really out of this world about the car. But in reality, it's nothing of that sort.
If that's the case, what's this really about?
It's really about man meeting machine, but you should know from the onset that this isn't your standard empty enthusiast story. You see, the Audi R8 5.2, as it's properly dubbed, isn't your typical supercar. It may be the sibling of the angrier and more obnoxious Lamborghini Huracan, but it's nothing quite like it.
That's the part that's so attractive about this car. Instead of going for brutality and arrogance, the engineers and designers of the R8 went for grace and sophistication, remaining intensely yet impressively contrasted to its Italian brethren. And we're not just talking about the way it looks that turn heads.
With 10 cylinders encased under glass, the naturally aspirated 5.2-litre powerplant oozes out 540 strong horses and 540Nm of twisting force from the word go, pushing you to the seat the moment you mash the right pedal. While this sounds absolutely bonkers, it's actually quite the contrary.
That's not to say the R8 has gone soft or it's actually pretending to be something it's not. Thinking about it from another perspective, this car is as unpretentious as a country leader who offers cash rewards to fellow citizens who kill drug dealers.
As such, it certainly isn't the type that'll stab you in the back and give you a friendly smile in the front. What it has simply improved on is its refinement on the whole - so much so that you can actually sense its tenderness rather than be terrified.
That's not to say the R8 has gone soft or it's actually pretending to be something it's not. Thinking about it from another perspective, this car is as unpretentious as a country leader who offers cash rewards to fellow citizens who kill drug dealers.
As such, it certainly isn't the type that'll stab you in the back and give you a friendly smile in the front. What it has simply improved on is its refinement on the whole - so much so that you can actually sense its tenderness rather than be terrified.
Does it still roar and rage when you give it the beans?
Absolutely. Set the car in dynamic mode via one of the suite of steering mounted buttons and you're ready to set a trail of fire on the tarmac. Every touch of the right foot commands every ounce of power from the engine to the wheels. Couple this with the lightning swift seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that delivers rev-matching and faster shifts and what you get is a character of a car that resembles Mr. Hyde.
Yet, once you're done with road hooliganism, you're under full control to tame the car. It doesn't pressure you to overtake the driver in the modified Honda Type-R who's egging you on. Instead, you're piloting something that's completely mature and cultured. Cruising steadily, the Cylinder-on-Demand technology even takes its action intelligently and seamlessly, switching from 10 to five cylinders to help save you at the pumps.
Does it look as well as it drives then?
Looks is a subjective thing. More often than not you don't get similar sentiments on the same matter. But in this case, it's an exception. It's a thing of beauty, this car. While the silhouette is still instantly recognisable as an R8, changes have been made to the car to ensure its road presence. Take for example, the iconic side blades are now separated to give the car a longer guise than it actually is.
Absolutely. Set the car in dynamic mode via one of the suite of steering mounted buttons and you're ready to set a trail of fire on the tarmac. Every touch of the right foot commands every ounce of power from the engine to the wheels. Couple this with the lightning swift seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that delivers rev-matching and faster shifts and what you get is a character of a car that resembles Mr. Hyde.
Yet, once you're done with road hooliganism, you're under full control to tame the car. It doesn't pressure you to overtake the driver in the modified Honda Type-R who's egging you on. Instead, you're piloting something that's completely mature and cultured. Cruising steadily, the Cylinder-on-Demand technology even takes its action intelligently and seamlessly, switching from 10 to five cylinders to help save you at the pumps.
Does it look as well as it drives then?
Looks is a subjective thing. More often than not you don't get similar sentiments on the same matter. But in this case, it's an exception. It's a thing of beauty, this car. While the silhouette is still instantly recognisable as an R8, changes have been made to the car to ensure its road presence. Take for example, the iconic side blades are now separated to give the car a longer guise than it actually is.
Inside, it's Audi-specialised, with a cabin that's competently well-built and comfortable, which evidently says a lot for a car that's in the territory of Lamborghini and McLaren. In place of what used to be a mechanical-looking aluminium shifter is a luxurious and logical gear lever that can also be found in the handsome Audi A4.
I'm all ears and rears now, buddy. Hit me
In a time and era where turbocharging is a common topic, this naturally aspirated V10 powerplant is a rarity, which makes it that much more special.
In comparison to the junior Lamborghini, the Audi R8 is, without a doubt, a better all-rounder as a car. Not only can you use it as a daily driver, it has its thrilling supercar capabilities to its name. In that rationality, the R8 is one strong contender that's hard to beat.
Want another chance for man to meet machine then? Hell, why not?
I'm all ears and rears now, buddy. Hit me
In a time and era where turbocharging is a common topic, this naturally aspirated V10 powerplant is a rarity, which makes it that much more special.
In comparison to the junior Lamborghini, the Audi R8 is, without a doubt, a better all-rounder as a car. Not only can you use it as a daily driver, it has its thrilling supercar capabilities to its name. In that rationality, the R8 is one strong contender that's hard to beat.
Want another chance for man to meet machine then? Hell, why not?
