I got 4 sessions in the Audi RS8 on the track, and drove it around town the day before. WOW. Great car. It didnt make sense on the street, even when running up and down some cool canyons (Laruels Grade just east of Laguna). Very nice car, but a little sterile. It was cool, but not something I would pony up $150k for. Dont get me wrong, it is way fast, very cool, but it didnt grab you by the balls and make you grin. The supercar looks are cool, and it grabs alot of attention, but.... Once you I got it on the track? Forgetaboutit. AMAZING car. The brakes ROCK. I was holding off braking until after the 2 marker, was off the brakes before I hit the 1 marker, and back on the gas right after apex and reaching for the paddle shifter a split second later. MAJOR go fast with NO drama, no body roll, no detectable electronic intervention. Although after riding along with one of Audi pro-drivers I realized that the car's systems must have been working overtime to make me look like a good driver. GREAT car. I'm now an Audi fan. Audi had several other cars in the paddock as well. The RS4 Convertible was simply perfect, except for the price, as I drove it the sticker was $85k. WAY too much for a very sporty drop top that wasnt as near as luxurious as some of the other cars in the price range. But it was a fabulous car. The sound out the back with the top down was GREAT. The 6 speed manual worked great. It was my 2nd fave car I drove, and I drove it a few times as it sat in the paddock unattended. Of course it got extra points for being a convertible on a sunny spring day at Laguna. I was even willing to trade the slightest of cowl shake for the panoramic view of the track. There were several flavors of the A/S5 available as well. Its softer all around, main due to its extra size. The cabin is cavernous. I'm 6'7" and have to reach for the wheel and pedals with the seat all the way back. On the street the S5 is a great mix of fast, comfy, sporty and big. Personally I would stiffen up the suspension just a touch to deal with the heft, but at anything up to trackday pace the stock suspenders are fine. Its a toss up whether the flappy paddles or the manual S5 is better. Flavor to taste. But I am now a fan of Audi ergo's and electronics because of this car. its a fantastic GT car. pics to come on friday (i'm off the 4 hour drive home and medicating with a nice bottle of Merlot).
You mean the R8? Personally I hate Audis. They are sterile and boring. My RS4, I got bored after several weeks and can't wait to get rid of it. R8 is a car for somebody who likes the idea of a sport/supercar but not the actual cars. Boring sound and interior is like an Audi TT. The more Audis I drive, the less I like them.
Thanks Choptop! I wish I would've known about this event. I was in Sacramento last weekend and went to Lasher Audi in Elk Grove to check out the TTs and A5s. I'm very well considering the A5 as my DD. Would have been nice to get out there with the A5 and push it a little harder than what I could do in a standard test drive.
indeed, not RS8.. R8. I hear ya on the Audi's. I never liked them, until I really drove them hard. They are a little "sterile" on the street, but the underpinnings are very sound.
a couple of pics of the R8 on Laurel Grade Road just outside Lagauna Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I liked the A/S5 on the street, but it was too soft for the track. But then again, the street is its intended purpose. A larger GT coupe. I'm a big guy and the S5 fit me to a "t". I really liked the S5 in both manual and flappy paddle shift. Image Unavailable, Please Login
R8 kinda looks like a squashed TT to me. I do like in in all black though! The side blade things are a bit strange.
