October 10, 2008
"If you paid attention only to the V-8's willingness to rev and the transmission's gearing, you'd think the R8 had a four-cylinder engine. It's not difficult to accidentally hit 4000 rpm pulling out of a parking spot."
"And on the highway, the big eight is spinning 3300 rpm at 80 mph in sixth gear the same as a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo's four-cylinder. Come on, that's totally unnecessary. When the Porsche 911 gets 27 mpg (thanks to a long seventh gear) there's no reason the R8 should be sucking down gas at the rate of 20 mpg. Not to mention the noise factor"The R8 rides fantastically, soaking up pavement irregularities and potholes with nary a complaint. Until you hit the Sport button, that is. Unlike most such buttons, which seem to do nothing, one press of the R8's Sport button ejected the radar detector from the windshield immediately. It not only stiffens the ride, it causes a sudden and impressive increase in the amount of impact noise transmitted to the cabin. It's an interesting reminder of how much of the driving experience"Like everyone else, I experienced the third-gear weirdness. All of the R8's faults are easily forgiven when either looking at it or driving it. It's one of the most throttle-adjustable all-wheel-drive cars I've ever driven."
-Jason Cammisa, West Coast Editor
November 25, 2008
The R8 now has its winter footwear, Pirelli SottoZeros, which we've also fitted to our Four Seasons BMW 135i. Check back next month for a report on how they've served us in this, the harshest Michigan winter in years.
-Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor ...next page >>