MONTEREY, Calif. – Once I determined I wished to get into the automotive journalism enterprise, one of many prime causes for it – in addition to driving a number of neat vehicles, clearly – was desirous to be current for giant moments in automotive historical past. I might see images from auto exhibits and automotive reveals from many years previous and assume, “How cool would it not have been to be there?” And realizing all that had handed was new as soon as, I did not wish to miss the subsequent historic occasion. After all, I used to be enthusiastic about the massive reveals. What I wasn’t anticipating, most likely naively, have been the massive farewells, notably as we transfer into the EV period. And a kind of is for the Audi R8, which is able to depart after this 2023 mannequin 12 months.
To bid it farewell, Audi introduced us and different journalists, together with nine-time Le Mans-winning driver Tom Kristensen (who drove the R8 and later Audi prototype race vehicles) and the designer of the unique R8 idea and highway automotive, Frank Lamberty, to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for a closing spin in it.
I am one of many youthful staffers at Autoblog, so the R8 has been round lengthy sufficient that it was simple for me to take it with no consideration, however Lamberty and different Audi representatives helped clarify how particular it was contemplating most of Audi’s historical past. The model principally did upscale sedans, wagons and coupes for many years, and across the flip of the millennium, one thing above six figures was a stretch. However various elements got here collectively to make the R8 a actuality. One of many huge ones was Audi’s successes with the R8 Le Mans prototype race automotive, which scored its first victory in 2000 and would go on to win in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. Audi wished to rejoice the wins and prompted the design division to pen an idea; Lamberty managed to create the profitable design throughout the division.
The idea went over effectively when it was revealed in 2003, and with the latest acquisition of Lamborghini, which was trying to create an entry-level mid-engine automobile (the eventual Gallardo), the R8 was green-lit. The manufacturing automotive would launch in Europe in 2006, and america in 2008.
On the time, it had “simply” a 420-horsepower V8 (and Quattro all-wheel-drive in fact), however a V10 choice from the Gallardo was added in 2010. The V10 would grow to be the only real choice for the second-generation automotive, and a novel rear-drive model could be supplied various years into that technology. For a lot of the time, Audi continued to be the dominant pressure at Le Mans with the R10 diesel prototype racer, after which the hybrid diesel R18, steadily with Kristensen as one of many drivers. The road-going R8 additionally spawned GT3-class race vehicles, too, and it has its personal spectacular racing report with six wins on the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring and two class wins on the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Issues are totally different in the present day. Audi left the highest tier of prototype endurance racing after 2016, although the GT3 automotive caught round for buyer groups. And as an alternative of taking a look at rally or closed-wheel highway racing because it has prior to now, Audi has been experimenting with open-wheel racing. It had a quick run in Formulation E, and has introduced its intent to enter Formulation 1. And within the powertrain world, fewer cylinders and extra turbos have grow to be the norm, with hybrids and full electrics proper across the nook. Audi itself has a number of EVs on sale with 10 extra coming by 2026. So with a direct lineage to Audi’s endurance racing period, and packing a naturally aspirated V10, the R8 is the very finish of an period for each Audi’s motorsports and highway automotive historical past.
That brings us to my day at Laguna Seca. The farewell expertise took place throughout Monterey Automobile Week, and the spotlight could be taking two laps of Laguna Seca within the midst of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The setting might hardly be higher, particularly as a collector had introduced an endurance-spec R8 race automotive out to compete. It took the monitor just a little earlier than our briefing for the press laps. Lamberty helped give the presentation, and never lengthy after he completed his half, he vanished. We suspect he slipped again out to the pit highway to maintain watching the race automotive. We do not blame him within the slightest.
Making a reminiscence
As soon as the presentation was over, and the endurance automotive class had wrapped up its race, it was time for us to hit the monitor. Audi had a pair of R8s for the press to drive, one a regular R8 V10 Efficiency Quattro, and the opposite a rear-drive variant. And in most likely probably the most becoming manner, our R8s would observe the way forward for Audi, the RS E-Tron GT pushed by the person who helped make Audi a contest monster, Tom Kristensen. Every group would exit for 2 laps, and that was it.
My specific R8 was the Quattro model, which appeared becoming as I had by no means truly pushed an R8 earlier than. Greatest to expertise probably the most consultant one potential. I additionally figured just a little additional traction would not be unhealthy if I received into hassle.
We have been informed to maneuver quick when entering into the vehicles to verify everybody received their time in earlier than the precise racers needed to take to the monitor. Fortunately, it was fairly simple to get comfy within the R8. The low seating place, a number of legroom, driver-centric format and strong ahead visibility all helped me really feel proper at house rapidly. Good if we have been cruising slowly; good for feeling comfy and assured when transferring quick.
And we have been transferring quick very quickly in any respect. The V10 with 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque has an incredible howl, and in traditional naturally-aspirated trend, it pulls tougher and tougher proper as much as its 8,700-rpm purple line. Audi says it is going to hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and hit 206 mph. I could not inform you how shut I received to that prime pace (wanting on the monitor forward is usually wiser than on the speedometer), however it was positively an enormous enhance over the past, and first, time I might been round Laguna Seca in Fiat Abarth fashions (humorous sufficient, the final 12 months of the five hundred Abarth in America). Regardless of the automotive, although, I discover the primary activate the entrance straight to be the scariest since you are going in regards to the quickest on the monitor, it is a blind flip, and it is downhill. The Corkscrew is likely to be a much bigger drop, however a minimum of you are slowing manner down for it, and a part of it’s on-camber.
Dashing right down to the primary hairpin, the brakes hauled the automotive down confidently and simply. The pedal is agency, however not heavy. The automotive did really feel just a little wiggly, and a significantly better driver might most likely have a ball drifting this round. Not being that driver and having traction management firmly within the “on” setting, I didn’t. Delivering, the R8’s mild and correct steering made it fairly simple to purpose.
And that is one of many themes that got here throughout throughout my transient stint. The R8 is definitely fairly pleasant. It may chew you in the event you’re not respectful, however it does not wish to. The brakes and steering do not put on you out, the naturally-aspirated engine is clean and progressive, and with all-wheel drive (and the traction management flashing at my most likely tough throttle inputs) it is not too seemingly you may wipe out. All of it permits you to give attention to getting across the monitor, and never a lot simply holding every thing collectively and away from the partitions and gravel pits. However it was additionally clear that somebody with way more ability – I check with the truth that Kristensen was simply staying forward of us within the a lot heavier RS E-Tron GT and the aforementioned livid traction mild – might get a lot extra out of the automotive.
Two laps in a quick automotive that you just’re unfamiliar with is at all times over extremely quick. It is easy to be so centered on not turning into a viral web video it may be laborious to take every thing in. I made certain after I used to be out of the automotive to cease and attempt to keep in mind every thing, each for my private reminiscence and in order that I might share this expertise. It is an actual disgrace that it could not have been longer, however beggars, choosers, and so forth.
The forgotten supercar
The R8 nonetheless appears like one thing particular. It is partaking, however pleasant. I really feel like it could have been a bit forgotten, too, as newer supercars boasted more energizing, flashier appears to be like and ever extra efficiency, whereas it soldiered on with a powertrain from a dying period. However that is what makes it nearly as good as it’s. Although I did not get to drive it on public roads, its fantastic-sounding and predictable engine would assuredly preserve it enjoyable and usable in the true world, whereas many new supercars are laborious to get pleasure from. I’ve additionally heard it is fairly civilized, one other factor many new supercars can wrestle with. It ought to be fairly apparent that I am unhappy it is going away and that this can have been solely a style of it. However I’m glad I received a style.
With the R8 leaving, the plain query is, will there be one other? Audi does not have a solution but. Nothing has been set in stone. However it looks as if the oldsters at Audi are definitely open to some form of follow-up. Going by the event of the R8, it is seemingly that something to observe would take one thing from motorsports, be it technologically or merely inspiration, to get the ball rolling. Regardless, we hope to see one thing stand up, and that it is as enjoyable and memorable because the R8.
