Elite Auto Rental Blog

ForbesAutos reviews the car that sends Audi into the supercar stratosphere , the R8:

“On that crucial sports-car question — “Is it fun to drive?” — the R8 roars in the affirmative. The Audi was lively, direct and confidence-inspiring, whether at triple-digit speeds in the Nevada desert or through a tight handling course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.”

Wow look what Audi is up to now. Move over Aston and Porsche there’s a new kid on the block and it is sharp. Not only is this cutie fabulous looking but its mid-size engine and aluminum -intensive structure is shared components with the Gallardo. This hottie’s 425-hp V8 put up solid numbers at its Las Vegas Mtr. Speedway paces. Showing out with 4.6 seconds from zero to 60 mph and a 186-mph top speed.

For the exterior heralds in true Audi fashion, there’s terrific detailing here. The engine is exotically exposed under glass, surrounded by optional carbon-fiber trim and ambient lighting. An element inside the headlamps looks like a high-tech dentist’s mirror, and naturally there’s Audi’s jaunty front grille. Most dramatically, a cool row of LED lights, like silvery eyeliner drawn around the headlamps, makes the R8 a ghostly, unmistakable presence in one’s rearview mirror. And if this isn’t enough this slinky two seat coupe has enough headroom for a 6′ 5″ man to drive comfortably. This excites this 6′ long legged lady. And for the ones who don’t admit to getting lost the Audi navigation system, with its relatively easy programming and scalable views, remains notably superior to frustrating systems from its German rivals at BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.

Here’s the freebie:

Did You Know …

The Audi R8 gets its name from Audi’s R8 sports prototype race cars that have dominated endurance racing — including the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans — in recent years. But the non-racing R8’s basic layout traces back a bit further to the company’s famed Auto Union race cars of the 1930s. Their mid-engine design, revolutionary at the time, was the brainchild of Professor Ferdinand Porsche, who saw it as the best way to achieve stable handling at high speeds.

So for the 1,000 that the company will offer in the US. I hope to see one at DFWEliteAutoRental.com for the enthusiasts who want nothing more than to stand out from the herds of Benzes, Bimmers and Porsches. Those independent-minded types may find that the Audi makes exactly the statement they’re looking for. I’ll be among them.