Driving Experience of the New Audi R8 in the Middle East
Tags:
Introduction
It’s an incredible feeling to be among the first people in the Middle East to experience the new Audi R8 before its official launch in the region. To share my experience, my colleague Zaran and I decided to take a day off work and head to the most isolated roads in the UAE for a test drive. For those who don’t have time to read the full experience, let me say that I have fallen in love with this car!
Car Performance
Technical Specifications
The car I had the opportunity to drive was the Audi R8 Coupe V10, equipped with a 5.2-liter rear-wheel-drive S-Tronic engine. Yes, it has a grand name, but this version is the more affordable variant of the new R8 lineup that will be arriving in our region in the coming weeks.
Driving Experience
As soon as I started the car with its 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine, I was amazed by the thrilling sound and impressive acceleration as I hit 8,700 RPM on the tachometer. The gear shifts propelled me back into the sporty seats repeatedly, allowing me to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 324 km/h.
Power and Rear-Wheel Drive
Since the version I drove features rear-wheel drive, I noticed it lacked some power compared to the Quattro all-wheel-drive version. Nonetheless, the car provided perfect balance, delivering 540 horsepower and 540 Nm of torque to the rear wheels. Considering these figures, how many other cars can you drive with the engine just five inches from your ears?!
Interior and Exterior Design
Exterior Design
The car boasts a redesigned chassis and a modified steering system for enhanced responsiveness and stability during high performance. It also features several aesthetic upgrades, including:
- A more pronounced and powerful overall shape.
- A set of wheels with a 9.6-inch width for the front and 11.6 inches for the rear.
- A distinctive adjustable spoiler.
- A sporty diffuser with striking exhaust pipes.
Interior Design
Upon entering the car, you might forget you’re inside an Audi R8 supercar. The minimalist interior design resembles that of its younger sibling, the Audi TT RS, which we tested a few years ago. It’s great to see the addition of Audi’s virtual cockpit, which brings a modern and contemporary feel to the cabin.
Required Improvements
While the overall design is stunning, I wish Audi had made some adjustments to the new R8. For instance:
- The side wings, which have distinguished the car for years, have been redesigned, resulting in a loss of some unique design features.
- The fake air vents around the car’s body, although they give it a sporty look, are not something you’d expect on a true supercar.
Conclusion
Overall, the 2021 Audi R8 undoubtedly has everything to be considered a true supercar. It features a distinctive and loud exhaust note, high speed, and certainly turns heads wherever it goes. Unlike most other supercars, it combines a significant amount of power and sophistication with ease of handling.
With that said, we can only imagine the excitement that the more powerful and expensive variants of the Audi R8 will bring upon their release in the Middle East.
