The very thought of owning a supercar throttles your imagination for pace, fame and purchasable super stardom. For long, Ferrari and Lamborghini have been building examples of these magical machines. But their epic price tags, onerous driveability and the need to find slots in parking lots a mile from shopping mall entrances (to keep them scratch-free) make them more a chore, than anything. Offerings by Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and some others have attempted to relieve some of that burden, but they don’t necessarily quench your fantasy for the exotic.

Enter Audi! In 2007, with their very original mid-engine supercar, the R8 took the ramp in style, left the public googly-eyed, guarded the owner from irregular breakdowns and showed more than one trick at the test track. In this week’s episode of man-meets-machine, we get behind the wheel of the V8-variant of the newly revamped 2014 Audi R8 to see what the fuss is all about.

Design and Aesthetics

The name R8 has been rightfully borrowed from the very successful R8 Le Mans prototype, which won championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. It’s born out of the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car that appeared at both the International Geneva Motor Show and Frankfurt International Motor Show in 2003 — a stunner.

The R8 shares some quintessential supercar glances that are a definite jaw-dropper. The sharp nose, low-slung body has been wind tunnel-tested for over 1,000 hours at wind speeds of up to 300 km/h. It is so aerodynamic-looking, I’d imagine if a hurricane blew by, it wouldn’t budge, because it slices like a hot knife through butter. The Audi Space Frame (ASF), a high-strength aluminium frame structure employed in the R8, keeps weight to a minimal 1,585 kg too.

The four-rings emblem, which usually finds its spot on the grille in the rest of the Audi family, is stuck on the bonnet in the R8. Audi says that it lowers the visual centre of gravity by a bit, increasing the visual impact, and I’d have to agree. The two gaping air inlets flank the Audi’s signature single-frame grille.

Enhanced visual flavour for the 2014 model comes from the revised headlamp units, which are all-LED. They have integrated a front indicator which is now a defined strip in the upper daytime running light, and a static turning light which illuminates the curved ends of the road as you turn into them. The all-LED tail units have a signal indicator that makes dynamic direction indication, like in the new Ford Mustang. The characteristic side-blades are as much a fashion statement as the R8; it was one of the pieces that gave it that mojo like the smile did the Mona Lisa.

The R8 is never short of drama: walk up to the rear and you get to see the best bit which is that naturally aspirated V8 engine showcased through the glass rear window. There it sits in all its mechanical beauty. In this day and age, when everything is shrouded behind make-up, large corporations named after fruit companies and flamboyant handles in chat rooms, this element of transparency is a breath of fresh air. It makes you appreciate the R8 for what it is.

There is an electrically extendable rear spoiler that pops out at speed or just by the press of a button on the centre console. Sure, it doesn’t look as swanky as on the Panamera, but it is up for the job. The other significant changes are the large diameter dual round exhaust pipes which were previously quad-tail pipes.

Our V8 test car rode on 19-inch cast aluminium wheels, which have a 5 twin-spoke design, but you can also have Y-spoke 19-inch forged aluminium wheels. To be honest, we prefer the standard set of wheels over the latter.

Orange, white and blue seem to be the most popular paint schemes on the R8, but there is plenty to choose from their colour palate, that include finishes in solid, metallic, pearlescent and crystal. Or you can specify one for just Dh9,000 from Audi’s exclusive colours. Considering this car costs half-a-million, that option is a bit of steal.

The interiors are a little ‘blah’ compared to the ornate exteriors. They are typically finished in high-grade plastics and well put together, but it seems Audi left the interior décor to Batman. There is a whole lot of black and some dark grey, if you have an eye to distinguish between. As standard, the cabin inlays on the dash, centre console and doors come in a matt-black finish, but we recommend the optional trims that come in either body colour, gloss black and even have a proliferation of carbon-fibre to spruce up the otherwise austere interiors.

That said, the ergonomics of the interior really sets the bar high, especially for a car that manages to squeeze in only two people. The steering wheel is a proper 3-spoke flat-bottom variety that falls perfectly in your hands; the paddle shifters on the S-tronic model are at your fingertips and feel good when operated, and the stainless steel pedals that come as standard put some shine to the footwells. All this, together with a low seating position gives you the perfect vantage point for your driving escapades.

The 10-way power adjustable seats on the R8 are well bolstered and fit most bodies, but I’ve heard smaller framed members complaining about the lack of lateral support. For more of that body-hugging feel, you could opt for the racing-style buckets seats for Dh13,300... or not! Seats can be dressed up in either an alcantara/leather combination, or fine nappa leather for a dash of luxury, and you can have it quilted too. Some of that alcantara or quilted effect can be had on the roof lining as well (for extra dough), but once you get going in the R8, none of that matters. There are some unnecessary options — like for Dh1,800, you can have Nappa leather on the door sills and for Dh500, a digital compass. But if you can’t tell the direction you’re going, you’d better not be driving!

Powertrain and performance

The love for V8 engines is not just an American thing; the Germans seem to have it too. So instead of giving the R8 a new-age small-displacement, highly boosted turbocharged engine, they have retained the naturally aspirated 4.2-litre FSI V8 for its linear power delivery and the kind of noise it makes.

The dynamometer ratings for this octet-motor are 424 bhp at 6,100 rpm — a gain of 10 ponies over the pre-facelift model and 430 units of twisting force. All that propagation is channelled through a proper 7-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission that is appreciably smoother and speedier than the 7-speed R-tronic slush-box that customers have been whining about.

About 90 per cent of the power is available between 3,500 and 7,500 rpm, making it incredibly drivable. It shines on the drag strip too, thanks to quattro and launch control, which help R8 scoot to a 100 km/h from a roaring start in 4.3 seconds. And if you find an open road in a country like Germany, it will stretch its legs out to a 300 km/h top speed. Yes, the mighty Nissan GT-R — dubbed the Godzilla — and Porsche 911 Turbo S are quicker, but in the real world, you don’t drive around town shouting out your spec sheet. Even if you are, there is an optional Lambo-sourced Gallardo-based 525 bhp 5.2-litre V10 missile and a V10 plus 25 more horses to choose from.

The base model R8 — dare you call it that — is prepped with enough braking force to bring a 6,000 hp 64-cylinder locomotive to a stop. The almost orbit-like 18-inch steel brake system has unique wave-shaped brake discs. Superlative carbon ceramic brakes are best for the track, but they come across as grabby and overly sensitive on the streets.

The most endearing thing about the R8 is the way it changes directions, both horizontally and vertically. Firstly, you should know that it rides well over uneven surfaces and on the highway. Magnetic ride has dampers that adjust to road surface continuously, keeping jittering jolts to a minimum. Secondly, the way it turns windy roads and sharp turns into virtual straight lines is incredible; Audi’s famed all-wheel drive system, the Quattro, makes its appearance again but with a twist. Audi is famous for packaging boring understeer even in their high performance vehicles, but this one has a serious rear bias which a drift enthusiast will love.

If this test car were based on the e-tron concept displayed at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show, we would have zero-emission exhausts. But the V8 R8 is a proper oil-burner capable of vapourising petrol profusely, if you drive it like it is meant to be driven. If you have a light foot, it will return a fuel economy of 12.4 litre/100km and add 289 grams of CO2 to the atmosphere per kilometre — not as damaging to the ozone as others. Helping it achieve those figures is a regenerative braking that energises the electrical systems. Also, do note that this car has a 90-litre tank… so long drives? No problem!

Features and Functionality

The R8 has its pluses, but it is still a silly car in terms of practicality. It has only one 100-litre boot upfront where the engine usually sits. Don’t waste your time stuffing a large suitcase in there! There is a cargo pack which gets you nets behind the rear seats and rear parcel shelf; and compartments under the seats. The Dh1,100 you have to pay for it sounds like mild extortion.

We say, don’t let your ears drown in the mediocre-output 7-speaker 5 channel 140 watt audio system which are standard. You are better off listening to the tunes of the 10-speaker 12-channel 465-Watt Bang & Olufsen system. And for Dh5,900, that is a steal! Along with it come the connection of Apple iPod generation 4 and higher, USB ports and MP3 players. Funnily enough, the CD changer is a Dh1,800 option which you could (and probably should) avoid; instead, just stream songs via Bluetooth, which comes standard anyway.

Again, this Audi is no Toyota in terms of air-conditioning, but the dual zone climate control system keeps you comfortable in your snug and quilted environment. Your basic safety concerns are met with cruise control, hill hold, reverse camera, a quartet of airbags, tyre pressure monitor, and ISOFIX child seat mounting for passenger seats.

Verdict

The 2014 Audi R8 V8 is one of the most well-rounded sports cars money can buy. To many, it is the slot in between a Ferrari and a Porsche. If you get one, you don’t need to fear being just another guy driving another sports car, and you won’t worry every time a leaf falls on it; none of those ginormous oil change bills either. If getting to places quickly is the thing, this is the car for you. A word of caution though, the R8 is so suave, you might be less of a debonair next to it.