WHEN Audi launched the R8 to the world in 2007, the motoring fraternity sat up and paid attention.Here was a brand that up to then had a variety of RS models — some really good ones in fact (think B7 RS4) — but not many were certain how its modern sports car would fair.It had all the right quotas of styling and good proportions; however, whether it could properly take the fight to the Porsche 911 was something that remained to be seen. As a result, the company rummaged through its parts bin and decided to fit midship its sublime 4.2l V8 engine, which was paired to a slick-shifting, metal gate six-speed manual gearbox, which was a joy to use even if it was just to hear the click-clack while swapping cogs.Then there was the ride quality which, for me, truly set the benchmark for daily usability (although Porsche will argue that it began this trait). The R8 turned out to be more than just a pretty face — it delivered where it mattered most. The V8 engine was great for what it was, but ...
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