V10 First Impressions

[MikeB]

Just picked it up yesterday and had a leisurely 2 1/2hr stroll back here. First off, the feeling is very special having that V10 powerplant behind you. It was not long before I had absolutely no regrets about switching from the V8.

There are enough styling cue changes around the car to keep you interested - the skirts and cills to the doors are different, sideblades and splitter obviously, the front and rear vents have the same sort of treatment that Audi levels at the S-line variants, the oval exhaust outlets are HUGE, and I don't actually mind that they have supplanted the black front grille with chrome, as there isn't much of it, and its not too intrusive once the number plate is there.

Slightly tacky vents running down the side of the engine glass cover, but I can handle that because all the attention is taken away by the 10 pot beast inside.

And what a beast it is. I went on the Silverstone launch, but as there were 20 odd of V10's about, they didn't feel that special. But turn the ignition on, and you hear a fantastic howl. I thought I was going to seriously miss the V8 rumble - but no way. This engine has a tremendous sensation of power behind it, and if you fire it over 4200 rpm, a howling wall of noise claps you in the back of the napper. God knows what it will be like at full bore.

I tried a few twisties, but not at such a speed that the extra weight could be felt. I was under the impression that there was no sport mode suspension setting, just the sport mode as a default, but there is, which is good as I felt the normal ride was somewhere between the 2 settings on the V8.

I fired it up this morning with the garage door open, and on choke it startled wildlife on the other side of the bay. My missus will definitely raise her eyebrows at the extra belt of noise, but will she notice the different design cues on the outside of the car? Will they be enough to make her realise the V8 has gone? She is no buff with cars, so I am not sure, and it is mainly kept under a cover. The V10 insignia on the tacho might give it away, but she has only driven it once before and is more than happy to sit in the passenger seat. The kids and I were going to break it to her in 20 years time. Wish me luck if she finds out early!!

Will post pics later.

[SDR8]

Congratz. Good luck keeping it a secret. I know a lot of people are oblivious of the details and may not notice the difference, but I am sure I would be caught by the big smile on my face.

[drbf]

Congrats on the new ride. What year was your V8 and did you trade it in or sell it yourself?

[SFR8]

Congratulation!

[VidaMusic]

great read Mike.. does she really not know you've changed it?? hahahha that's brilliant!!! did ya upload any pics yet??

[harrison]

Sweeeeeet !! :d :d

[HovyR8]

Yes!!! Congrats!

[MikeB]

Congrats on the new ride. What year was your V8 and did you trade it in or sell it yourself?

Don't mention the trade-in. ****e price for an Oct 2008. That was the longest lasting regret - but gone now.

[MikeB]

Struggling with the pics just now. I've managed to update my Avatar but that's it. Everytime I click on 'insert image' it asks for a url address. Help!!

[VidaMusic]

Mike if you upload your pics to Photobucket, then simply copy and paste them to here, they will show up as full pics rather than a link to them....