Topic: CD Article: 2008 Audi R8 with R tronic automatic transmission

[Autos_Editor]

Test Drive:


With R tronic automatic transmission: "Exceptional performance", "surprising comfort and drivability," and "the safety of all-wheel drive," are the highlights of the exciting R8 mid-engined supercar, says Editor-in-chief, Greg Wilson.  But he wasn't impressed with the optional R tronic transmission.  

 
Read the article | View the photos | All The Test Drives

[quadzilla]

According to Audi Canada, the purchasing split between manual and automatic transmission buyers is currently 60/40. There's no denying the benefit of an automatic transmission in city driving, and if that is where you will be driving most of the time, the R-tronic is the better choice.

And if you buying a R8 to just drive around the city, you might want to give your head a shake. 

I like the looks of the R8 and would love to drive one. I noticed somebody has one for sale on Autotrader for only $180K.

[mmret]

So this isn't the DSG autobox

[wing]

$180K?  They list for $139, how long till the fad wears off?

[mmret]

If you're buying $140k cars, you would also be fine with paying an extra $40k to get it 12 months sooner, no?

[dorin]

So this isn't the DSG autobox

No.  It's the Lamborghini E-gear.

[wing]

And it sounds like the DSG is better and WAY cheaper.....

[Rolling]

I like the Audi R8, but I love what Audi Has done with it in the Audi R8 TDI V12 concept. The front end styling is more aggressive and what was done inside the engine bay was pure art. Audi should make this car a reality even though I hear they have no production transmission currently that can handle “all the power” that V12 engine can dish out. Audi should put the R&D into creating a transmission for this engine and make it the next model instead of the rumored V10 with lower power output.
An Audi R8 TDI V12 with a robust& capable DSG transmission would give you true “Super Car” performance like the Veyron, but will still get you close to 30 MPG!!