MotorTrend-First Test:09 Audi R8 5.2 FSI

[Bodhii]

MotorTrend-First Test:09 Audi R8 5.2 FSI

Why God Created Envy: Audi Does the Impossible -- Improve On Near-Perfection
December 08, 2009
/ By Arthur St. Antoine
/ Photography by Brian Vance

2009 Audi R8 5 2 FSI Quattro Front Three Quarters Driver
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How much is half a second and 105 horsepower worth to you? You'll want to ponder that question if you're in the enviable position of having to decide between the V-8-propelled version of Audi's R8 two-seat, mid-engine exotic or the newly introduced V-10 edition. When the cars are similarly configured, the ten's two additional cylinders command a premium of nearly $10K apiece...

... If the R8 5.2 has any shortcomings -- and we're reaching here -- it's in its gearbox. The standard six-speed manual works well, with a fluid clutch that's never balky and a gated aluminum shifter that bangs up and down through the cogs with a retro-pleasant "clank." Yet you can't help feeling the R8 could do better. For instance, test driver Scott Mortara was thwarted during his acceleration runs by a crunchy one-two upshift (our test car wore a lot of hard miles). Hey, bring on the paddle-shift auto-clutch manual, you say. Ah, but the R8's optional R-Tronic unit is a single-clutch design -- it works satisfactorily, but has none of the shifting finesse or speed of the top dual-clutch paddle-shift units, such as Ferrari's seven-speed F1 or Porsche's PDK. "Dual-clutch trannies are the present and the future," says Kiino. "The R8 needs to get with the times." Indeed. Meantime, the manual box is definitely the best way to shift Audi's star car...

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz0Z7cczQFa

[AnOutsider]

100% concurred on them getting an S-Tronic in the R8. An S-Tronic R8 would be a huge reason for me to upgrade (v10 offers power that can be had with supercharger, and while the spyder and possible factory-turboed versions are nice, they're nowhere near as important as having an S-Tronic transmission IMO)

[harrison]

Since I love the R-tronic so much ,I guess I'll do a backflip for the dual clutch !!

[AnOutsider]

Since I love the R-tronic so much ,I guess I'll do a backflip for the dual clutch !!

Harry have you ever driven a car with a dual-clutch transmission? I rode in a Porsche with PDK and my GLI has the DSG, it's friggin heaven man.

[harrison]

No , not YET. Looking foward to it though !

[roadrunner]

As dual clutch will remain hypothetical for this Mk. I R8, the choice remains manual or R-Tronic. Funny, i did not manage to drive a stick R8 yet. Both the V8 at Spa and the V10 during the Alpine adventure were R-Tronic. Although i did notice a major improvement from the V8 to the V10 R-Tronic. Would i have a choice between a S-Tronic (dual clutch) and the R-Tronic = no brainer, but we don't.

Besides, this was the ONLY real critical point in the Motor Trend test drive.

A quote i like: "When you're debating the merits of one R8 (V8) over another (V10), you're enjoying an argument you just can't lose"

I am a car nut since i was little and surrendered by Ladas, Taigas, Moskvich, am an Audi nut since 1980 (= Audi quattro at Geneva), but NEVER liked A car MORE than the Audi R8.

My one automobile goal is to have one in my garage one day (-: for ever to stay ((-:

[gazza1]

A fabulous car irrespective of not yet having a cutting edge gearbox.

Have one of the best boxes out there in the Gt-R and have learned to appreciate how quick and ultra efficient they are now.

Not like days past where a Auto would slow you down.

However if I ordered a V10 today I would still opt for the Manual...

[London Lad]

I had a long test drive in a Ferrari California recently. It had the twin clutch automated manual box and I have to say it was technically very, very good. How ever maybe it was too good ?

What I'm getting at is it was almost like being in an auto which is not the experience I am looking for in a sports car.

For me, in a sports car, the R-Tronic is just right.

[Davey_Dee]

I had a long test drive in a Ferrari California recently. It had the twin clutch automated manual box and I have to say it was technically very, very good. How ever maybe it was too good ?

What I'm getting at is it was almost like being in an auto which is not the experience I am looking for in a sports car.

For me, in a sports car, the R-Tronic is just right.

So would you recommend a California? Didn't like having an empty garage in London so was thinking of getting one

[London Lad]

In the flesh, the looks didn't do it for me but undoubtedly it will make an excellent grand tourer and of course the top comes off!