The Origin Of The Audi R8: The Story 1999 - 2007, And I Drive The Original "Top Gear" Car

[@jo05dk]

The early R8 V8 is the only R8 that's ever spoken to me. ..and it still does. The looks, the sound, the wheels. I really like this car.

[@cagsanozbek4210]

Does this model has turbo ?

[@jo05dk]

@@cagsanozbek4210 If you had watched the video you'd know. As James says; N/A 4,2 V8, 420HP. More or less the engine from the RS4 of the time, but with a dry sump.

[@dylanwakley2553]

@@cagsanozbek4210 no r8 had ever had a turbo

[@viniciusmagnoni6492]

​@@dylanwakley2553Thanks God

[@saivillaq]

Agreed... I hope I can achieve this one day!

[@HG504X]

This car will always be a classic, the look, the driving experience and the cool factor.

[@sebyfloristean9514]

And the gated shifter :)

[@Samaldoful]

I think you mean gear stick!

[@azlean5323]

@@Samaldoful No, it's gated, that is what he's talking about. Like the old Ferrari 355.

[@Samaldoful]

@@azlean5323 we are English it’s a gated gear stick! We don’t say shifffterrrrr! Use your brain before trying to correct people!

[@azlean5323]

@@Samaldoful Gearstick or shifter, same thing. Different countries use the different terminology and you ask me to use my brain before correcting someone yet you tried to correct someone who used THEIR correct term 🤦🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️ duuuuuuurrr... You don't need a brain cell to realise you don't correct someone when you're wrong, you'll do well to remember this next time.

[@batmikipig]

This R8 is one of the best looking cars ever, and hands down the best audi

[@63Jax]

First gen is still the most beautiful, imo. Unlike the later gen it has more harmonious shapes, round surfaces, i hate angular shapes on cars.

[@dlg78]

Put them side by side and the Gen2 is an absolute weapon. Gen1 looks soft.

[@seanyworny104]

@@dlg78 It really depends on your taste. Some people prefer softer curves rather than sharp angles.

[@AntoniusTyas]

The early 2nd gen cars were a bit meh for me. But the facelifted one... I genuinely love it. Especially in striking colours like Arablau, Javagrun or Vegasgelb.

[@KN-jw7ts]

Weapon? Relax.

[@laserbeam1620]

I agree! 1st gen is so smooth!

[@sukhsingh571]

I own a white v10 manual spyder gen 1 , been nothing but a pleasure for the last 4 years.

[@visionist7]

Probably the pick of the crop

[@danielelim8276]

Good choice. This is a hold till you die car

[@SamuelJBall.]

I've owned one of these for the last year or so now in an identical specification to the press car. I must admit that at first, I echoed your driving impressions almost exactly, however these really are cars you learn to get the most out of over time. The first time I tried pushing it a bit down a road I was greeted with colossal understeer I couldn't really predict due to the steering that felt as though it doesn't talk to you very much at all. As time goes on however, you do learn to listen to the steering and do learn to lean on the chassis properly. They don't like at all to be chucked around and they don't like to coast at speed through corners. To get the most involvement out of it you need to brake late, get the weight on the front wheels to grip before getting smoothly and quickly back on the throttle for the four wheel drive to hook everything up. Be exceptionally smooth/delicate with the steering and you'll start to feel everything more and more. Based on my experience, I'd say to anyone driving one of these early R8's and finding it frustrating, you're in a spot where you're driving it hard enough to push the limits of tyres but really aren't driving it fast enough/smoothly enough to get the chassis working. They're brilliant cars with a depth of character just not found in most others which will simply lay their hand of cards in front of you and that's what you get. Some people might like that ease of accessibility but personally, I've found the long journey to be far more satisfying.

[@nevwhite3264]

I agree with what you are saying but I changed mine to rear wheel drive and for me the car is so much better now😊

[@paulk4534]

This car has such a timeless and unique design, I would say iconic at this point even. I’ve owned two first generation V10’s, one in 2011 (R-Tronic) and one manual transmission car years later (present). Loved the original ownership experience so much that even after later owning a 997.2 Turbo S, McLaren 570S and other exotics, I bought a manual first Generation version 8 years later after selling my first R8. I would do it all over again.

[@shaikhnbake]

If you don’t mind sharing, what’s your job and how long did it take for you to buy one?

[@hexgraphica]

I remember from my earlier years, when I was 10 or so) that I wasn't fascinated with the R8, especially because everyone else loved it. But now, 15 years later, I must admit that this car was part of my childhood and I look back at it with fond memories. I remember that in GT4 the Le Mans Quattro was one of the latest cars featured, and still today everything came out after 2002-2003 feels like a novelty to me, like it was in 2005 when playing that game.

[@comeberza]

Its the same for me, its styling and sound have appealed me since I was 10 or 11

[@thezeek2745]

One of those people. Everyone likes it so I’m gonna hate it. What a way to love. Sad

[@laggyhacker]

30min video from you on a Saturday winter morning, couldn't ask for more

[@theninethrees8044]

First car to come with LED daytime lights, this was the new NSX. An affordable and practical supercar

[@scuderianorreno]

The R8 is a pretty car. Worth mentioning regarding movie presence, the RSQ - a futuristic spinoff of the Le Mans quattro. Featured in "I Robot" four years before the R8 was shown in Iron Man.

[@lgz2006]

This beauty looks so good even by today...😍

[@camrunner6633]

This design should never have been abandoned. New ones are bland

[@toysandgameswithesmeeandis4096]

Fair play for swerving the KZbin crowd and going against the grain by buying a Lotus. Love your content, every video you seem to grow a bit more. Thank you.

[@jvommen]

I appreciate you also mentioning the metric numbers. Keep up the good reviews!

[@ultrapaiva]

Always loved this car. Only Audi can make a car design look fresh even after 13 years. I have a S5 V8 and my next step is the R8, of that I’m sure.

[@TheZapper42]

Don't sell the S5 when you get an R8, it's not a practical car. I have both.

[@JURASSICDIVERUK]

I believe also that the RSQ from 2004 film I Robot was a huge influence on the final design!

[@steveproud2227]

Another great review mate, apart from the fact that you made me realise what I thought! I made a real mistake selling my almost identical R8. Needless to say I’m trolling autotrader for another. Keep doing what your are doing with your review style Jay....

[@davebarron5939]

Only Audi I ever lusted for. Beautiful car, never asked about the specs, just thought it was well done. AND congrats on getting the same car that one my heroes drove - Cheers!

[@davepyne62]

Really enjoyed this video it was like watching a telly docimentary and you had a teleprompter giving you the lines as there was so much info. Thanks for putting it together. I really enjoyed it and yes i still want one if it's a V10 manual.

[@flixarnD]

Ever since I first saw this car, it's always been my absolute dream car. I really like how you present it in a clear way that it all comes down to a matter of taste, not facts. I've watched this video quite a few times cause I like the way you talk about it and to just look at the car. The first times it was just to dream, but now, I own one almost identical to the one in this video. Yet I still come back here and keep enjoying it. Thank you for that!

[@ederss7]

In 2002 after winning Le Mans Audi revealed the R8 that year had a trick up its sleeve: a new direct injection system, the FSI. Yes, FSI was born on track. Two years later it hit the roads.

[@amolprabhu4948]

I just stumbled upon your channel and I’m so glad I did. Such great content! Keep it up, you really have a unique way to way to tell a story.

[@pathongofaustralia]

Awesome video James learned so much in the last 30 mins!

[@superdooperoofer8941]

Would just love a V10 manual. Have never seen a manual V10 here in Australia.

[@borisjohnson7553]

You can always import one!

[@Matthew-ll9ke]

They do exist. There have been 1 or 2 for sale

[@superdooperoofer8941]

@@borisjohnson7553 not that easy here, its a pain in the hole. I was in the market 2 years ago and searched high and low, but a more sensible opportunity arose.

[@superdooperoofer8941]

@@Matthew-ll9ke haven’t looked in a while but spent about a year lookin.

[@Matthew-ll9ke]

@@superdooperoofer8941 oh they're certainly rare. Just got to get lucky with the timing I suppose.

[@Gorbyrev]

Great video James. I had the opportunity to drive a 997.1 GT3 back to back with a gen1 V8 R8. It was the R8 that left the lasting impression. It might be inexperience but at no time in that drive did I think that 414hp was too little.

[@Re-InCarNation]

Personally, I prefer the sound of the V8 over the v10.

[@NixonYusa]

same here, but with aftermarket exhausts for the V8. Stock exhausts muffled too much. The V8 just sounds muscular with aftermarket exhausts. Love em.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

The V8 is a fine sounding machine

[@lolroflpmsl]

Can't beat the howl of a V10!

[@azlean5323]

Both sound equally amazing.

[@lovielovegrove3403]

After just watching all your videos relating to the R8 .... I just had to go and give my old A5 a hug.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I have such a soft spot for the original A5

[@PianoandCarcrack94]

Nice video, but disagree on the design. The new R8 is way too convoluded and aggressive for no good reason. It almost looks like a cartoonish Mansory bodykit. The first generation R8 remains a design classic, with odd design solutions but weirdly it works. It has a certain gracefulness and curvature to it. The current one is a bit of a mess.

[@KN-jw7ts]

Perfectly said! But remember style can be subjective, and as eloquent and thorough as this gentleman “jayemm” seems to be, his personal personal style/attire is indicative of his taste of car design…..lacking.

[@TheOtherNeutrino]

That particular R8 is so iconic, it was in the beginning build-up of the Top Gear intro before Hammond's 911 powerslid into view and music kicked off to segue into Jeremy's legendary "Tonight...".

[@I999-g2s]

Yet another brilliant video. Thank you James

[@nadeemm429]

Jay beginning to scare me . Whatever car I spend the last 2 days looking at , jay makes a video on. Even the obscure ones like the fiat coupe , GTV cup v6 , Ferrari 360 , 306 rallye, v12 vantage and even the CITROEN C6 fgs! It’s like you are reading my mind and dropping videos about the cars I am thinking of, literally .

[@sportzntouring]

Great review James!! I felt similarly about the R8 for years... Then, that special one comes along and changes everything... The R8 GT. 😍

[@KN-jw7ts]

Dude, idk what he or you are talking about. The original is the one that is highly regarded by most of the respected ppl in the auto industry. I watched this video for a second time and he is seems to be on another planet (relative to any other highly respected journalists). Not just youtubers.

[@comeberza]

You are producing amazing videos, period

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thankyou

[@pye007]

James, you need to drive one with an aftermarket exhaust, its a completely different animal. As you know I also have a 996 Turbo, but I must say I really love the R8V8 with the manual gate. And as far as looks are concerned I think it's one of the most beautiful designs of all time. I agree the steering is probably one let down, but apart from that its a joy to own and drive - I am really surprised by it. I mean just the tactile experience of how you change gear using that manual gate makes the driving experience quite unique and very special.

[@julianm-s9967]

JayEmm you're on fire in this video. Very slick, very professional.

[@MrDarius2002]

You shattered my dreams (wanted this to be an amazing driver’s car!) and you still get a like for the honest, thorough review! Keep up the awesome work - love tuning in (rants and all!). Curious to know whether you think this, the 997C2S or the Vantage V8 is the best driver’s car of the three??

[@KN-jw7ts]

Idk man, much more experienced journalists and professional drivers have a very different take than his. And I believe the vast majority of them are in fact giving honest reviews.

[@thezerastora]

I have owned a vantage V8 and would not recommend buying one for many reasons, just look up the maintenance and repair costs. I sold mine and got a V8 R8. As a driver that, has fun.... you cannot beat it for what you get it’s impeccable. If you can afford one and wanted to buy one you will not be disappointed many people (the majority) know this car is a magnificent creation. I haven’t found anywhere in England yet to really test its limits but my god it’s great. You have to get used to it it’s not just the easiest car to be confident with but when you do nothing else compares for excitement. The hard part with reviews if you’ve never owned a car like this before is every detail matters as you want to secure a purchase you’re happy with. Go out drive one and enjoy it! If you have the money I can guarantee it’ll make you loose sleep and throb to own one. I actually have that gut desire to own one even when I do and watching a video like this makes me want to drive one and then I remind myself I can, then I go outside at 10pm at night just giving it a little wipe over and waiting to drive it on a nice day or when I have some extra time. It’s a car when you own you want more, and more, and more you get out of it and you just want to get back in, the response is so positive for a 2008 car. I’m 22 so take that as you will but it’s the best materialistic purchase I’ve made so far, just hope the AC doesn’t cut out. (Touch wood)

[@MrDarius2002]

@@thezerastora Nice! Great to hear an owner’s feedback! I tried one but was to tall - 6ft5 - so head touched the ceiling. Ended up getting a 997 C2S instead. Have that same feeling re always wanting to drive it, although I’ll admit it didn’t look as special as the R8. Drives amazingly though! PS like the hill stream loach!

[@warboyrb]

One of your best reviews, seeing a lot of the car and not just driving and talking was great. Good stuff 👍

[@ToyotatechDK]

Top Gear and royalty in the same sentence 😁👌🏻

[@vasantos-re4hb]

When I was consulting in Kentucky, I was driving a Red Cayman. I stopped at a grocery in a small town to take a break. It was 8:30 at night an a mother and her daughter walked up to me and said, "My daughter loves your car, can she have a picture in front of it?". Of course she can, and I was happy to watch them take a picture. I don't even think they knew it was a Porsche...but it was a young person that had a dream. Dream now, and become that person in the future. If a car does that to a person...that's a great thing.

[@viniciusmagnoni6492]

I manage to disagree completely with Jay about the R8, i think the 1st gen is the most beautiful one.

[@morgman43]

This is a really excellent review; well researched, well rehearsed, well edited, well presented. I guess this takes a lot longer to do, but it's well worth it. Really good stuff.

[@morgman43]

P.S. How do you sync all your cameras up to one audio feed? You can't be doing that manually, surely?

[@ThexMJT]

This look of R8 with the V10, gated manual will always be something I will lust after

[@leebuckles2364]

Another great history lesson in how the r8 came to be and what a lucky guy you are James to drive car royalty

[@Rhowhat]

Surely that V10 dyno advert was the more important cinema outing than Iron Man? The older I get the more I think a V10 manual would be the perfect car for me to buy in terms of price, specialness and running costs.

[@liamwilson7826]

Nice review this, the build up was excellent. Never been an Audi fan though, I'd always take a Porsche or Aston for the price range.

[@woodrow_mayes]

I have a vivid memory of touching one of these when it first came out, it was in my local Audi dealer and locked of course! I was only about six but I still vividly remember it was the Iron man spec.

[@julianadams2206]

Fascinating, as I was never 100% a fan of the the Gen 1 design when it launched....but seeing it again all these years later with that fabulous sounding V8, well it’s very appealing. I agree with James that the R8 is possibly a more special alternative to the ubiquitous 911 as it is far less numerous than its Stuttgart competitor.

[@andrewwallace1030]

Mat Watson from Carwow has this car today

[@virgilrytaar9083]

I like it!............great homage to the traditional top gear vocal inflection too. 10/10

[@mclste]

The fact that this car still looks particularly modern today just shows that Audi know what their doing although underdogs in the super car market.

[@just.for.the.downshifts]

Perfect summary James 👌 thank you

[@andapen]

Had a red V8 r8, actually the one that was in the “1 gallon of petrol super car race” on top gear. Had to sell to buy a house 💔 I’ll have another. But probably a 911 lol

[@jamesg1769]

Brilliant video James, especially the driving

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Hard to believe that the Audi R8 is almost the same age as the Honda S2000 and 10 years younger than the Acura NSX. The first generation production R8 has been my favorite R8 so far.

[@jjk087]

The s2000 was 99 build released in 2000

[@etherboy3540]

I first saw one of these scything through traffic on i-285 in Atlanta. It was so low and wide and purposeful looking. I would still love a manual v8 model.

[@jonnywalker3208]

I remember driving the concept on GT4 back on the ps2 in 2004 haha

[@davidporeilly1]

an interesting place to start is the Audi "Rosemeyer" concept car of 2000. Look at a picture and you will see the Bugatti Veyron. So the Audi and Bugatti design teams were sharing ideas it would appear and Bugatti got first bibs.

[@mattdedasc]

I like these more than when they were new. I considered buying one about 8 years ago but I realised that running costs are much, much higher than a comparable Porsche 911, which - if it doesn't go wrong - could be ran for very little.

[@sebyfloristean9514]

For me the proportions are perfect

[@TYAC_TPE_SF-Bay]

In year 2023, April, finally tried the R8 on GT7. Such a friendly car to tune. Hope it can run synth fuel later. For new, I hope more hybridization for the MPG.

[@grahamtricker4103]

You are absolutely correct James, in that R8's do drive very differently and this mostly depends on mileage, and how well looked after and treated they have been over the years. I bought one 2 years ago and almost gave up looking as most, even from reputable garages were terrible. Fortunately, I have a lot of experience being an engineer and I eventually found one privately owned with very low miles and that was that. It drove beautifully and was everything it should be. Thankfully its a well designed super car that won't make you feel like you've been "rogered" every time you take it to the garage... P.S. I have also owned a number of Porsche including some 911s and I would take the R8 over a 911 any day. As you say, no matter where you take the car it creates a lot of interest...

[@russellong843]

I think it’s important to note that the depressing the Sports button, in an R-Tronic model, totally transforms the behaviour of the car, unleashing a surprising level of sharpness and directness to the chassis and awakening the engine to rev what seems like 3x faster than it did when it was just pottering about town. It really turns what is a lumbering beast at slow speeds into a proper quick and sure-footed sports car that shrinks around you the faster you go, and the steering just fills you with confidence. The car really has 2 personalities when you’ve experienced this and experiencing it maybe reveals why Jeremy Clarkson thought so much of it on his first go. It’s looks surprisingly have aged far better than anything out there from it’s time and I think that it really has kept a lot of its charm successfully through the years. But it’s true. It lacks the cache of marques like the Lambo and McLaren, and it can’t hold a candle to the purity of the Porsche GT cars…. But it was never trying to! What Audi set out to do with the R8 V8 was to challenge the 911’s supremacy at its own game at that segment of the market. And I’m afraid I have to agree that given the option of a 997.1 C4S or an R8 V8… the R8 wins.

[@iwanoutmans3537]

I like your channel. And I love the R8. I think one off the most beautiful Audi’s and ‘supercars’.

[@cologne2792]

An excellent review indeed ! Thank you.

[@stephenSF]

On the interior, it's very spec-sensitive. The extended leather and carbon fibre with alcantara headlining feels premium. In that way I can't relate to what Jay says here at all about the interior.

[@tolga1cool]

I loved these back when they first came out then completely lost track of these cars. Now thanks to your videos I want one again 🙄

[@IXthEvil]

I see that SF Giants championship luau shirt, Jay 😎

[@carlb123]

Now I want one. Auto trader here I come

[@maninahat1417]

great intro - great wish there was more colour variety in these...... green, red etc

[@JayEmmOnCars]

They did green and red, but nobody really bought them!

[@neallv4234]

Great vid Jay

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

As always good review. If memory server me right Clarkson was/is not a Porsche fan... Taste is very personal of course. Me, I prefer the far more elegant (in my view) sport(ing) cars with the engine where it belongs: up front...

[@MrRiggle350]

I must admit, I struggle to follow the logic of "it's a bit of a boring design with very little design features" and then in the next breath mention a love of 997. I know the Porsche 911 will be a fantastic drive that would beat the majority of competition, but they are just so dull to look at and so uninspiring. They're the Ford Mondeo of the sports car/super car world in my eyes.

[@amotorcyclerider3230]

Love your videos. I have a 2010 Porsche 997.2 manual transmission Carrera base. I love it. Have been looking to get another car, an Audi R8 manual transmission. Which one would you suggest or get? V8 or v10? Convertible or coupe? I like convertible for a change and also I could hear the sound better. I will not be taking it to the track. Just drive around town in Atlanta Georgia First generation R8 V10? Of course manual transmission. Why not the second gen if there is one?

[@77ledhed]

i lust for the r8 but my s5 tuned is a sleeper and quite amazing...and more hp.. when i was younger i liked the flashyness of aerodynamic cars, but now my s5 does it all under the radar..just need stealth technology..

[@SmiffyATD]

Great critique

[@paulk4534]

Also I actually really like the interior design, aside from the dated screens of course. Someone needs to make a retrofit LED screen for the dash and radio to mimic the factory look just crisp and fresh.

[@Reznor_Meeks]

the Audi R8 1st gen V8 Manual is like wine, the older it gets, the more special it becomes, this car been on my maybe possible super car dream for a long long time, the sound alone, look, i adore V10's, but if I was to get a R8, would def be 1st gen V8, this 1st gen V8 is like what Honda NSX was back in the day, tick all the boxes w/out having to sell your kidney. Monterey Green, thank you very much.

[@15DEAN1995]

I always forget how good that Audi 4.2 v8 sounded in this car

[@computerhelpcc]

2009 major US magazine review on track where race car driver Randy Pobst noted the R8 was unlikely to be bested, and then he drove Cayman PDK and said “race car, race car, race car. Wow” Meanwhile, R8 v8 sounds fab but widely rated as a sports car, whereas v10 vaulted it into super car class. Jay hits that square though re super car not necessarily better drivers car; r8 v8 vs v10 review w Catchpole and other = similar conclusion. Yes, I’m a 911 and Boxster owner, they are great, but from idle to 2,700 rpm few hear a flat-six and say “that sounds better than a v8”. It’s great to have these choices vs crap we had in 1970s-1980s....

[@futureboydesign1708]

Clarkson drove that exact car on Top Gear back when it was new 🔥

[@888johnmac]

yes , thats what JM said

[@dhruvmini01]

Fairly new to the finance and economic side of things here in depreciated sports/supercars. What would be a recommendation for fairly cheap to run/economical car? Obviously with a focus more on running costs more than mpg.

[@JordieMotive97]

Gen 1 V8 manual is one of my goals

[@ScottishCarClan]

Terrifically articulated and crammed with knowledge. This is why your videos make up some of the best automotive content KZbin has to offer!

[@martinboulden3540]

Love these early examples.

[@theotherchannel2028]

that's actually a decent sounding v8

[@colossuses]

I have an r8 v8. Tbh i cant relate to the negatives apart from quiet exhaust (fixed with an aftermarket). Jays probably right but i honestly think only a pro race driver could pick up on these things like steering... feels awsome to me, and im no audi fanboy

[@saurabhkulkarni8854]

The first gen is such a mixed bag to me. It's the best looking (apart from the side panels like you mentioned) but the sound is a close second to the V10 plus. The V10 is just more sonorous, the V8 is a bit too brash. It has a manual transmission unlike the later ones but the interior is not as good. Such a weird mix.

[@malcholden5357]

Brilliant. I’m really warning to these.

[@Wayne.R]

I really enjoyed this video James. Informative, constructive and enjoyable. For most, me included, a Mk1 R8 Manual, would be my only way into R8 ownership. I think they sound great, better than the Vantage, but the vantage looks better IMO. Yes, I'd agree the interior is a little poor, but in 2007 when released, it probably wasn't then. Put an aftermarket exhaust on one, like Paul @Supercarsoflondon did with his, and it will wake the gods!! Great vid...

[@vrsmartin2981]

Omg You get a cd changer as std in a skoda octavia vRS and the pedal covers are also still in the vRS skoda.

[@EvoraGT430]

But it's still a Skoda.....

[@vrsmartin2981]

@@EvoraGT430 exactly! And they come included as std not an extra like in this audi

[@paul1978g]

Uninspired looks and a nagging doubt that what I was looking at was a cut priced Lamborghini with all the charm and panache removed meant I've never really respected or liked the TT-RS, sorry I mean R8.

[@byronmills5952]

Totally agree.

[@jehl1963]

"...Drive it home and discover that your neighbor has one!". Yeah, that happened to me with my 911, and then we discovered that another neighbor has one too! Then we started to wave at each other, and help each other find needed parts or fix our cars. We'd exchange drives and compare notes, and buck each other up when something bad happened to our cars. We kind of became a small club, and life long friends. And then there are the guys that I met in the next town with their 911s, and the other Porsche drivers who wave when passing. Even the 911 owner who broke down on the side of the road who I stopped to check in on. It's kind of nice sharing 911 ownership. 😊

[@71MWhite]

Looks like you’ve upgraded your camera James, what are you using now the quality is superb?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Panasonic S5, I'm not enjoying it though

[@LapoftheWorld]

See...now I want an R8. I don't need an R8, but if I had the space and money, I'd probably see if I could find a 2012 V8 car with some interesting color combo, then go about aligning it/shoeing it to get the handling/steering feel right. A little caster adjustment and some camber can go a long way to livening up the wheel. I'm sure the V10 is probably better, but sentimentally, I like the character of the V8 from the outside looking in at least. I've driven a V10+. Didn't blow my skirt up. I haven't driven a V8 but would love to at some point.

[@ianrichards6183]

So, as you said James, if you do have £30-40k to spend which would you choose from the following : Audi R8 - Aston Vantage - BMW i8 - Lotus Evora S - Jag F-Type - Nissan GTR - Porsche 997.2 - BMW M's - TVR ? Decisions decisions. Just add an alternative if I've missed anything interesting out.

[@john1703]

So, since Audi did a Le Mans diesel R10, where is/was the road going R8 diesel? They did do a diesel TT.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

They built a prototype but it never made production

[@FenderUsa]

I remember seeing the concept in the cinema watching AI, loved it then and love it now!

[@jaydub5515]

I imagine you have driven an Elise, or one of the higher end models, Exige/Cup. I'm just wondering if you compared one against your Evora 4 when you bought it? Or if you knew what their driving dynamics or characteristics were like against one another? I've always wondered. I've only seen 3 Lotus's up here in Alaska in my whole life, and I love the Exige, but I've never seen an Evora. Thnx!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

The Evora is a superb car, very different feel to Elise/Exige. Those are more immediate, but far less refined

[@jaydub5515]

@@JayEmmOnCars how tall are you? 'cause someday I would love to get either an Elise or Exige, or an S2K (yeah, I'm Jealous of your garage! Past & Present!:Hah!), preferably AP2 for ripping around all night in the Alaskan summer, but I don't know how well I'd fit... Being 6'2"-ish, and 240 lbs...I don't know what the metric conversion would be, but I'll just say I'm big! I had a NB Miata before, and supprisingly I was just within the parameters of the cockpit, just so... Even when I had my Si CRX I had just enough room to shift, but those sporty, street legal go-karts are few and far between up here.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

@@jaydub5515 you would probably fit in the Elise, but you might need to fix the driver seat in place Evora has bags of room

[@DRFTYPE]

James do you know why the R8 didnt go for the honeycomb grill to begin with? Is it because it wasnt a 'RS' car? Always wondered. Cheers.