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2010 Audi R8 4.2 Review

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Khatir Soltani
My Grown-Up Dream Car
Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati. Just these words alone give me shivers. I see one on the road and I can’t stop staring at it. The sound of the engine makes me hold my breath for a moment. These cars are the reasons for becoming an automotive journalist.

As a woman who loves attention, this car is at the top of my list for standing out in a crowd. (Photo: Audi)

It has been like this for me since I was a young girl. I honestly thought nothing else could ever affect me in that same way. Then I saw Ironman in 2008, and suddenly, I was like a schoolgirl with a new crush.

The Audi R8 is a supercar among supercars and as a woman who loves attention, this car is at the top of my list for standing out in a crowd. I live in Vancouver and see those other cars often – the R8 has uniqueness to it.
The R8 came out at a great time for Audi. Giving the brand some much needed renewed ‘street cred’ if you will.

This car is exceptionally hot. The forceful looking front nose, large side vents, the oval shaped twin tail pipes and incredibly wide back end look like nothing else. This Brilliant Red Audi R8 with all black leather interior has everybody staring. I feel like a movie star.

It would take a movie star salary to afford this handsome car. I am driving the 4.2L V8 that starts at a cool $144,000 and you can add options like a Bang & Olufsen sound system, navigation and the Carbon Sigma and side blade; bringing the total cost of my test car to just under $162,000.

Driving down the highway, kids are taking pictures from the window of their Honda Civic. While stopping for groceries, a lady asks to take a picture of it and she doesn’t even know what it is! Her exact words – “Oh my god! This is the sexiest car I have ever laid my eyes on!” I couldn’t agree more.

I couldn’t resist opening the door and letting her and her husband have a seat inside. His eyes were glazed over and I knew he understood what a great piece of machinery he was lowering himself into.

I realized for a brief moment that I might be taking my job for granted in recent times. I have got so caught up on the horsepower and engine size that things like the interior design has almost slipped from my thoughts.

This couple can’t stop raving about the gorgeous looking interior. All the dials, control buttons and knobs are meticulously placed with the driver in mind. The fit and finish is impeccable with flashes of chrome in all the right places.

I have got so caught up on the horsepower and engine size that things like the interior design has almost slipped from my thoughts. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com)
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada