Blast in the R8 and a drive in the new 120PS A4 diesel

I COULDN’T resist it. Who could?

There, looking like it had morphed out of a designer’s computer, was the Audi R8. All curves and ground-hugging sportiness.

Peer through the transparent engine cover (located behind the two seats) and the 4.2-litre V8 sits there. Gleaming.

Ummm – time for a blast. And it is stupendous. The sound of that V8 howling its thing as it cracks on round the rev counter is just – awesome.

You just have to hang back from the traffic, give yourself some space, and then floor the throttle. Heaven.

I’m not convinced by the R tronic auto transmission, though. This is one of those that you can leave in auto; or switch to manual and use the steering wheel paddles.

In auto mode it just tends to trip the engine up – the engine revs want to go one way; but the transmission has other ideas. You end up using the paddles. I think the manual, then, would be perfect.

In many ways it reminds me of the Honda NSX. The NSX was Honda’s brilliant sports car that went like stink but had the driving manners of a Honda Civic. In other words you could use it most days – not just for special occasions.