| Re: Official R8 thread -
09-27-2006, 08:44 PM
Wow, this does look great.
I must admit though, I did think for a long time, up till this car was released in fact, that this would look like absolute crap. I hated the look of the R8 Le Mans Concept, citing it as 'un-Audi' and 'messy' and the spy pics did nothing to sway my views on the car.
However, upon looking at these official pictures, I have to say that I'm a converted fan. It looks awesome. While it does still deviate on the traditional Audi 'look', made so famous by cars such as the A8, A6 and the Nuvolari Concept, with their clinical, bold lines and simple, but striking looks, when looking at the shapes of the car, all Audi DNA in the R8 is still there. You can see the sharp lines along the sides of the car and great attention to detail in the rear and the front. I don't know what's so different about the concept and the production version, but it all seems to 'come together' quite brilliantly, making for an aggressive, low sportscar, without straying off the Audi DNA with it's clean, sleek lines. Well done Audi. Top job.
The specifications sound alright as well. Sure, it might not sound as good as a twin-turbo V10 as featured in the Le Mans Concept, but it's a more than adequate engine when you begin to accept the fact that this car isn't a supercar, rather a sportscar to combat the 911 and V8 Vantage. Sounds like an exciting drive, although specs seem to suggest, it's merely a Gallardo-lite.
However, I don't like the fact that it has an Audi-fied version of Lamborghini's E-Gear. I would've much preferred it have a DSG gearbox, to inject more of the Audi personality, instead of affirming my opinion of it being a Gallardo-lite.
Otherwise, great car Audi, can't wait for the reviews to roll in. |