Audi R8 GT named 2011 Sports Car of the Year by AutoBild

My client took delivery of his R8 GT in September. I am not an Audi fan of any sort. I got a ride and it had 473.4 miles on it. That car is special and that is not an understatement. He installed a two-stage Capristo exhaust and leaves it with the valves open. When I first saw the pictures, I dismissed it. Big spoiler, little winglets, clunky gearbox. I was so wrong. The carbon fiber he speced, th alcantara, the engine cover, the rims, the sound. all stuck in my head for a week. It is that good. After that ride we went out in his Ferrari 599 GTB and I was exceited about that, but the R8 GT was much more fun and thrilling and I had no idea I would ever say that. I started looking for allocation for the Spyder.The car is basically a Lamborghini Gallardo, with some Superleggera thrown in for good measure. He waited exactly a year to get the car from order to delivery. I told him that every minute of that year long wait was worth it. It is a great car, and I don't give that kind of praise lightly.Autobild Car of The Year, I say .

Originally Posted by deemo319

After that ride we went out in his Ferrari 599 GTB and I was exceited about that, but the R8 GT was much more fun and thrilling and I had no idea I would ever say that. I started looking for allocation for the Spyder.The car is basically a Lamborghini Gallardo, with some Superleggera thrown in for good measure.

It basically is just a Superleggera. The 599 is more of a GT so the R8 will seem a bit more raw.

I am well aware of the intended demographics of the two cars. But the R8 GT is a great car, and I am no Audi fan. The R8 GT stuck with me, for a week. The 624-hp Shelby Mustang he took me out in after the 599 GTB with Caroll Shelby signatures all over it would be what I call RAW! He called it his Hillbilly car, hilarious.

Originally Posted by deemo319

I am well aware of the intended demographics of the two cars. But the R8 GT is a great car, and I am no Audi fan. The R8 GT stuck with me, for a week. The 624-hp Shelby Mustang he took me out in after the 599 GTB with Caroll Shelby signatures all over it would be what I call RAW! He called it his Hillbilly car, hilarious.

How did you like the 624 horsepower Shelby?

I liked how he got the car. They orginally said they would try to get his signature which was the reason he committed to buying the car. They wound up shipping the car to Las Vegas and Carroll signed it in about 5 places. I did touch his signature.Now to your question. It was a very cool morning. We went out and in a half mile were on the highway and he, uh, hit the gas. The car started fishtailing badly, but he corrected it. It may help to WARM UP YOUR RACING TIRES, FIRST!!!! Once warmed it was very cool. The interior was similar to Playskol plastic, but you can tell they put the money in the engine and transmission and lots of decals. The engine note was bassy (usual American V8 half-notes) and you can hear the power. It is very fast, very fast indeed. When the tires hook up it pushes you into the seat and that is where the small of your back stays. 624-hp is very serious and not to be taken lightly. You can here the supercharger belt whine and it sounds like power dripping off with each revolution.The supercharger is just huge. You can tell when you open the hood, there is a lot of power in that sucker. He has 9 Mustangs of significance along with the R8 GT, 599 GTB, Acura NSX Alex Zinardi Edition (know him), and has a Ferrari FF coming next April.

Originally Posted by deemo319

He has 9 Mustangs of significance along with the R8 GT, 599 GTB, Acura NSX Alex Zinardi Edition (know him), and has a Ferrari FF coming next April.

I can only dream at this point. I have to play with crappy 3 series

3 Series! I have an X5 4.4i Sport. And it was very disappointing to go from the R8 GT to my car and really like me car! We spent two hours showing me his car collection and driving the three cars. It was on a Sunday so he could take his time. He is a gentleman. I didn't even bring up the 328 GT he has as well. He also just got a 1999 Ferrari F355 Spider w/F1. I told him it didn't need valve adjustments and the first Ferrari to do so. He was pleased. The R8 GT is a really sick ride.

Originally Posted by deemo319

3 Series! I have an X5 4.4i Sport. And it was very disappointing to go from the R8 GT to my car and really like me car! We spent two hours showing me his car collection and driving the three cars. It was on a Sunday so he could take his time. He is a gentleman. I didn't even bring up the 328 GT he has as well. He also just got a 1999 Ferrari F355 Spider w/F1. I told him it didn't need valve adjustments and the first Ferrari to do so. He was pleased. The R8 GT is a really sick ride.

True...but it does still require the engine to be dropped for the belts to be changed and IIRC that is every 7500 miles.

Originally Posted by LZH

True...but it does still require the engine to be dropped for the belts to be changed and IIRC that is every 7500 miles.

Yes, the timing belts were a pain in the rear and the 360 was recommended every 15k I believe. The 430 and 458 were major improved in this area and went to chains I think.

He is very happy with the F355 and he doesn't care about the engine being dropped for belts as he had the dealer do the service before it was shipped here. He said they need service and that is part of the deal with the cars. He has three Ferrari's and a fourth Ferrari Atelier custom due for delivery in April 2012.

im sure its a great car, but sportscar of the year?? Seriously? Where the hell did this thing come from?

Originally Posted by DBFIU

im sure its a great car, but sportscar of the year?? Seriously? Where the hell did this thing come from?

It's the Germans. It is a great car, just not really sportscar of the year IMO.