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The Turn 10 Studios Blog

Turn 10's Car of the Week [No. 5] - King of the Lot




Turn 10 Car of the Week: Audi R8

By: J. Mason


Working here at Turn 10 Studios, even in such a lowly underpaid word-jockey role such as the one I occupy, has its benefits. This morning I shook off about eight beers of hangover, splashed on some Aqua Velva, dragged tail into the office, and grabbed the first of what will surely be many cups of coffee. That may not sound like much of a perk, after all, everyone has coffee in their office, but what makes my gallon-of-coffee-per-day unique is the method of transport.

See, at Turn 10 everything has to go to eleven. Triple-screen HD TV racing cockpits, connected to 5.1 audio, with wireless steering wheels and hip-hugging race seats. A trophy case of awards and memorabilia that includes a race helmet signed by Eric Hélary, test driver for the Peugeot 908 (available in Forza DLC) and winner of the 1993 24hr of Le Mans. And in our lunch room, two Starbucks Interactive Cup brewers. It’s possible that, for coffee makers, these things go to twelve. Step up, put your carafe under the spout, punch three buttons and after a few seconds of evil clicks, farts and growls, you are rewarded with 64-ounces of rich Starbucks finest. Go Juice. The buzz maker. Heaven. No more waiting for a whole batch to brew, no more pot of four-hour-old staleness, we’re talking instant gratification in a cup. How else do you think P. Rodriguez and I get these articles written every week, and ON TIME!? Caffeine, baby!

There’s one other perk I get for punching keys at Turn 10 that I would like to share with you, my friends, and that’s the parking lot. Now don’t get me wrong, the lot itself is hell on earth; the spots are too narrow, most of the spots are “compact” and too short for anything other than a Segway scooter, and there are not enough of spots for everyone. In fact, there are so few spots that we have valets to double park your car and a secondary gravel lot to practice powerslides for additional parking. If you’re late to work, you’re walking about 200 yards in the rain to get to the office. Doesn’t that sound GREAT!? So you’re probably asking; why in the world is that kind of parking lot considered a perk of working at Turn 10 Studios? It’s not the lot, but the CONTENTS.
 


I took a walk around the lot the other day, and here’s a quick sampling just from today. Representing the Americas: Saleen S281, Ford Mustang Cobra, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1, Acura NSX, Dodge Viper GTS ACR, Infiniti G37 Sport, and even an old Chevelle SS-454. From Europe: Audi RS4, Lotus Elise and an Esprit V8, two BMW E46 M3s and an M5, a Porsche 911 Turbo and Cayman S, and a couple Volkswagen R32s. And of course there are the Japanese cars: two Nissan 350Zs, a heavily modified Honda Civic, one RX-8 and an RX-7, three Miatas, about five Subaru WRX STi and a lone AE86.

With all that steel, aluminum and carbon fiber out there you’d think we’d be jaded when a new car is released. Hardly. A week ago something special entered our little biodome and when an email went out to the team, not ten minutes had passed before twenty petrol-heads from Turn 10 were hovering around it, inspecting and commenting and just LOOKING. The office stood still, work stopped, palms sweated. For grown adults, it was like we were 10 again and just found Dad’s magazine stash. There parked in front of us, was a brand new Audi R8.

The R8 pedigree starts with the RSQ concept car, first shown at Geneva in 2003 and starring in the Fresh Prince Will Smith flick, I Robot. The final production version sees ties to Italy, where the Lamborghini Gallardo platform is borrowed, but instead of the Gallardo V10, we see an Audi-sourced FSI V8. Some may guffah and complain, “An Audi super car should have more than the same engine that sits in the RS4!” Like Jules Winnfield says, just be cool Honey Bunny. A V12 diesel concept has been shown and will likely go into production, bumping total power up additional 80-plus hp. And for those of you in more sunny climes, a drop-top is scheduled for 2009.



Now, you’ve probably seen the Super Bowl commercial, and you’ve probably seen press photos and read magazines and maybe you even have put a picture of it taped to your Trapper Keeper, but it just doesn’t truly take hold of you until you see it in person, look at the curves and lines from every angle, and soak it all in. I could throw down some numbers like 414, 317, 4.6 (horsepower, torque, and 0-60, respectively) but that doesn’t really describe what makes this car tick. It looks damn MEAN on paper, aggressive and fast, but in person your perspective changes. Standing face-to-face with the R8, it’s shorter and smaller than expected, but that smaller stature makes it all the more intimidating. It no longer looks mean, it looks downright evil.

The front grilles are positioned to suck in any other car it approaches, grind them up and leave them a burning heap by the roadside. The rear window shows the heart of the beast, pumping fire and brimstone, and spitting anger out the back end.  The massive wheels are split spokes, sharpened to reflect shuriken lethality. In all honesty, the R8 looks like a car imagined by Stephen King, powered by volcanic magma, and molded in carbon fiber and aluminum by Beelzebub himself. It’s dangerously beautiful. We wants it. We must haves it. It’s my precious…

Ahem. Cough! Sorry about that, I don’t know where that came from, just got carried away for a minute. Maybe I should switch to decaf.



J.Mason is a crack automotive writer deep inside Turn 10 Studios. He’s one of the friendlies. Hired geek.



Published Friday, February 29, 2008 2:35 PM by chespace

Comments

 

musclekarz said:

sweet car. nothing much more to say
February 29, 2008 11:08 PM
 

Poncho400 said:

Very nice car. The superbowl commercial gives me goosebumps when watching it.

'Tis a shame the audio in Forza does not do such cars justice. Maybe one day, all game developers will get V8s right.
March 1, 2008 12:59 AM
 

PotCWinegeek said:

You guys will loan that R8 for a day or two to the FM.net member who proves he is the biggest Audi fan, right?

No need to run a contest. I'm the guy. Let me know when I can expect to spend a couple days with the R8. Thanks.

:-)
March 1, 2008 6:33 AM
 

idrvfast said:

Gotta love the Germans, they're so precise.

Fantastic car!
March 1, 2008 9:53 AM
 

cardude427 said:

Nice audi nice piece of engineering, but a corvette zr1 do you mean an older one? they're supposed to come out in summer '08.
March 1, 2008 11:23 AM
 

RTdes said:

It is a nice car and all...

But have you heard, that for quite a few years now, cars also come from other parts of the world? Not only europe??
March 1, 2008 12:43 PM
 

goingtoooofast said:

That car steals my heart! Just love the car. Like what you sayed, "it looks downright evil!"

That car is the only reason why im going to UTI! :D
March 1, 2008 12:50 PM
 

Guinness said:

I was able to get in an R8 at the Toronto International Auto Show last weekend... I fell in love with the R8 at that point.  You're right that seeing it in person makes a huge difference.  I'm 6'4", so I looked like an idiot trying to squeeze myself into and out of the tiny thing, but once I was in there... wow...

I was really there to see the Astons... but they weren't letting people get into those... so although the DB9 is still my favourite car, the R8, along with the Mercedes SLR, have definitely moved into positions close behind.
March 1, 2008 1:53 PM
 

Hedgehog King said:

post some pictures of your parking lot please
March 1, 2008 2:22 PM
 

Poncho400 said:

RTdes has a point. (nice avatar by the way...)

Can we have a car of the week that isn't from Europe? Contrary to popular belief, European cars aren't always the best (and aren't always the most liked).

Hell, I'll go find some nice cars and submit them if I must.
March 1, 2008 6:43 PM
 

Omega79 said:

I've been lusting over this beautiful bit of engineering ever since the first pre-production shots were available. And though people may be complaining about the lack of US car coverage, what could be better than the balance of gorgeous sheet metal nicely wrapped around a fantastic chassis, with a heart just like a good 'ol American muscle car. To see and HEAR it in person is so different. When opened up it really sounds like a '67 Stingray, it's fantastic. Oh and it's all wheel drive. And it has an amazing, well built comfortable interior with plenty of Alcantara to feast your eyes and fingers on. It has taken Audi many years to come up with something to compete with the likes of the Corvette or 911 (the wealthier man's everyday sports car) but what an entry into the competition it is. This is my WHEN I win the lottery car (at least what will likely be my "daily driver"). Road & Track came through my town doing a comparo of the R8, the DB9, and the Carrera 4S one day, and the R8 had the same effect on me as passing by that one really hot chick you like kissing her boyfriend on the side of the road. Wanting what I just can't have. Oh and don't forget the dry sump oil system to help with extreme cornering loads.... I could go on for days! The different colored blades, what a risky but very well executed design feature! And the headlights! And the LED parking/running lights lining the headlamp assembly! And the picture frame window of the fairly uncovered V8! PotCWinegeek, trust me, I'll put up a fight!
March 2, 2008 12:29 AM
 

Omega79 said:

OH! Not to mention how EXCITED I was when you guys made it a DLC! And I didn't even have to come down to the office and offer up any favors!
March 2, 2008 12:32 AM
 

wildesthashish said:

what a beautiful car it has the same exact engine as the audi RS4, they are coming out with a deisel V12 one soon but I thinks its only available in Germany. Its a cheap car dor what you are getting (Starts At $109,000) and it has great speed and superior handling for a 4.2 liter V8 and a top speed of 187 mph. It would be my dream to drive it on the nurburgring for real.
March 3, 2008 10:17 AM
 

Stephen187 said:

What a beautiful car, Audi and Germany have really out done themselves.
March 3, 2008 10:08 PM
 

quattroCrazy said:

What you said about seeing the R8 in person is so true!  I first saw it in the Manhattan Audi Gallery and I went from loving the car to being forever entranced by it.  Pictures don't accurately portray the scale and aggression of the car, it's compact and looks agile, light and angry in person.  The interior is absolutely amazing, but any Audi guy knows that has always been a given.  The funny thing about Audi's, past and present,  is that they all look better in person.  I gotta say Winegeek, I would probably put up a good contest for the biggest Audi Freak, it's a money-sapping sickness really LOL.  Hell, I'd be willing to concede to drive the RS4 for the day instead : D
March 5, 2008 9:38 AM
 

KreepaEvoX said:

I just simply love the way Audis make their sound...and that engine in particular sounds like a kick in the groin while taking a stroll through hell...mostly
March 5, 2008 8:15 PM
 

wildesthashish said:

If i were to get one i would get it all black with tuscan brown interior, 4.2 quattro six speed. I am simply in love with this car after I saw it in person, it is probably the best looking car ever built.
March 6, 2008 10:19 AM
 

fry99 said:

nice
March 6, 2008 7:39 PM
 

fry99 said:

nice
March 6, 2008 7:39 PM
 

CrazyJay71 said:

I am a 2007 RS4 owner and recently had the pleasure of test driving the R8, as Audi was touring a demo model across Canada for its clients to check out.  What an experience!  The difference between the R8 and the RS4 is much more in real life than it appears to be on paper.  And much of that has to do wth how low the R8 sits.  I was accompanied by the Audi "watchdog" on my 20 minute test drive (although he basically let me do whatever I wanted to other than take the traction control off), and at one point I was tooling in 3rd gear down a 70km/h limit street.  I looked down at the speedometer and saw around 110... I said "Not bad... it seemd like I was going a tad faster though."  To which the watchdog replied, "That's 100mph (160km/h)... this is a US model."  Yikes... fortunately there were no black & whites on the route that day!
The other thing that is impossible not to notice is other motorists' reaction to the R8.  At every light that I (painfully) had to stop at, people would literally stick their head out of the window to unabashadley stare at the car.  Now I don't buy a car to garner attention on the road but I have to say that it was a pretty cool feeling.  Also, the sound that this car puts out is unbelievable.  I thought that my RS4 had a growl to it, but the R8 makes my car sound like a yappy wiener dog!  Unfortunately, I had to eventually say bye bye to this beauty and drop it back off at the dealership, and if it wasn't for our crazy winters here I might drop the C$150,000 to pick one up, but the precious 20 minutes I spent inside of this elegant rocket will never leave me.  The downside of this little test drive was that my RS4 felt sluggish and really high, which is ridiculous.  One amazing car.
March 7, 2008 11:43 AM
 

ONE6S4 said:

i want it
March 7, 2008 10:50 PM
 

Jizzy Shizno said:

i love this car... its amazing... rear motored... just a all around beautiful car...
March 8, 2008 12:20 AM
 

partialbassie said:

this is one of the best cars i think, but they have to make more career races and som other cars like:
-Ford Shelby GR-1 concept
-The bugatti veyron
-that concept mitsubishi evo
-peugeot 907 (concept)
-marcos mantis
-the pontiac GTO  (prostreet style)
-the original ford mustang
-phase3 camaro
-plumouth belvedere '58
-chevrolet chevelle '66
-concept pontiac GTO

please guys from microsoft forza motorsport, make this cars and some new career races.
The last thing I would ask, is you will make a thing to download, that you can strip your car, like that first video from forza motorsport 2.
I hope you can make this things, because I download everything from marketplace that is from forza.
thank you for reading this.
you can react at bassie173@hotmail.com
March 8, 2008 8:01 AM
 

AustN41 said:

I saw this car at the houston auto show this year. It was super sweet; i also think that it is in the Iron man Movie.
March 13, 2008 3:02 PM
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