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Audi's parent, Volkswagen Automotive Group, has a problem on its hands. And this time it doesn't involve diesel. See, I've been living with the all-new second-generation R8 for a week now, and aside from design, I can't think of a reason you'd get a Lamborghini Huracan instead. Right there, that's VW's problem. The R8 V10 Plus is the mechanical, dizygotic twin of the Huracan. A generation ago, the Audi version made less power than the Lamborghini (though there was always the rumor that you could easily reflash the V-10 to make Lambo levels of grunt).
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Let's start with design. I don't like the front end. Taken as a standalone piece of sculpture, there's nothing intrinsically wrong with the double XL grille. But when that megamouth gets placed between the vertical vents found under the headlights, it's too much. The face is nearly—dare I say it—Lexus-like. However, I happen to quite dig the rest of the exterior. When the world first saw the new R8, many people were quick to point out that the second-gen car wasn't radical enough and/or that Audi should have kept the signature "side blades." I completely disagree. I always thought the first-gen R8 looked stumpy and that the side blades were superfluous and covered up a dull side profile. Also, I've long maintained that the peak of the hood resembled a dolphin's skull. On the new R8, the side profile reminds me of the awesome Auto Union Silver Arrows of the 1930s. Specifically the Type B "Rekordwagen," and even a little like the monstrous Type C. All that said, the drop-dead gorgeous Huracan is about 12 times better-looking.
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