Audi R8 Coupe 2007 review

The daily grind of peak-hour traffic is tedious, to say the least. The steam comes blowing out of your ears, the headache kicks in with force and the throbbing hangs around for the remainder of the day.

Then it's time to hit the congestion once again.

The brake lights of the never-ending line of cars in front of you light up like Christmas trees as you sit almost shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other, equally frustrated motorists.

Hitting the turmoil in an average passenger car will no doubt leave you angry and stressed.

But after spending endless hours being part of the problem I have found a simple, although expensive solution to making your trip into work a whole lot more exciting.

The answer is to drive a spanking new super car to work, and not just any fancy car, but the recently launched Audi R8.

Yes, you still have the monotonous travel ahead of you, but getting behind the wheel of this stunner will brighten your and everyone else's morning and afternoon.

With only 25 R8s on Australian roads, motorists took a liking to seeing one accompany them on their daily treks this week, kind of like the reaction you'd expect if Nicole Kidman walked into a smelly pub.

Many people pulled out their mobile phones for a quick snap, others just taking the time to admire and take in the beauty piece by piece.

From the huge 19-inch wheels, to the diamond-looking LED headlights, from the double exhausts to the striking appearance on the low-to the ground, glamorous, fiery red piece of machinery.

And from the start, it was very clear that Sydney likes Audi's first attempt at a high-performance car.

Super cars are fast and gorgeous, and are usually at home on the track.

Sure, they can reach 300km/h, but stuck in stop-start traffic most require the effort associated with an-hour long uphill jog. You might look and feel good for doing it, but there's a lot of hard work in getting there.

Audi's $259,900 R8, ($274,000 on the press model we tested with extra features), proved to be no outcast on public roads.

Drawing on Audi's rally cars and the Le Mans prototype R8 race car, means the road R8 is impressive at fast speeds, sprinting to 100km/hour in just 4.6 seconds. But it's the lingering around that leaves a lasting impression.

Apart from the roaring growl of the engine, the catwalk looks and super performance, the R8 feels like a normal car, one that can be driven in traffic without having to work too hard.

Turn the key and you're instantly greeted with a growl from the 4.2-litre mid-mounted V8 engine, roaring over your shoulder. But it's not too loud, allowing you to enjoy the sound system at the same time.

The free-revving V8 is the same as the one in Audi's remarkable RS4. And it's impossible to miss the engine's location, on display to passers-by through the back window.

In traffic, you unfortunately don't get the full benefits of Audi's R8. The full 309kW doesn't arrive until way up the tacho at 7800rpm and there's no chance of getting there in bumper to bumper traffic. Under 40km/h, rarely going above 3000rpm is disappointing, the R8 just wanting to break free.

But it's still impressive at all speeds, with the torque evenly distributed, the peak of 430Nm reached between 4500 and 6000rpm.

With Audi's typical classy interior and the comfortable ride, you blend in with other cars, although standing out like a sore thumb at the same time, if that's possible.

The car tested was the six-speed manual, which sounded a little clunky with each shift, but felt great to drive the open-gated gearshift. The clutch isn't too heavy, which can be the case in other cars of this kind, and while the brakes are touchy, it doesn't take long to get used to.

Featuring quattro permanent four-wheel drive, with a weight distribution split of 44 per cent to 56 per cent, the R8 grips to the pothole-filled roads and attacks corners and bends with confidence and grace, hugging tightly.

Flick sports suspension on and you really feel the blemishes on rough roads, a little hard to tolerate on longer journeys. Turning it off improves the comfort of your ride.

And, inside the cabin, cramped is one word that won't even enter your mind in the R8. Instead, cosy and spacious make an appearance, with surprisingly good head and leg room. For the task of slipping into the cockpit-like cabin, dresses and skirts are not advised for those females; or even those males wanting to maintain their dignity.

That said, most people won't be paying attention to what you look like, instead gobsmacked by the car.

For this daily driver, the six-stacker CD system, the satellite navigation and reversing camera all came in handy, but get used to expensive trips to the service station. The R8 has a claimed 14.6-litres per 100km and, with a 75-litre tank, it cost more than $80 to fill just over half a tank.

There's little storage room in the boot or inside.

So the cure to peak hour traffic may not be the most practical or affordable way of getting to work, but it's definitely one of the most enjoyable, attention-grabbing, thrilling rides to get you there.

You'll be on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

But if the Audi R8's outside of your budget, I guess there's always the train, where you can close your eyes and dream.

Snapshot

Audi R8

Price: $259,900

Engine: 4.2L/V8, 308kW/420Nm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Economy: 14.6L/100km