The first supercar I ever drove was an Audi R8. It was the V10 version, with an open-gate manual box like a Ferrari.
The venue was Millbrook in Bedfordshire, a motor industry test-track with an Alpine route that replicates an incredible mountain road. Writing for Which? at the time, I was more accustomed to testing family hatchbacks, so the 550hp Audi fairly blew me away. The marshals at Millbrook were less impressed: I was shown a yellow flag and ordered to slow down or go home.
Today, Im revisiting the first-generation R8, albeit in 570hp LMX spec. This special edition was the cars last hurrah before the current model debuted in 2015. The LM refers to Le Mans, the 24-hour race where it was launched, and the X… well, nobody seems sure about that. This is the original press car – number 23 of 99 made, most painted Ara Blue – now enjoying a gentle retirement as part of Audi UKs heritage fleet.
The USP of the LMX was its laser headlights. Audi wasnt first with the technology (BMW beat it by a matter of weeks), but this was still groundbreaking stuff. With high-beam activated, pure white light illuminates the road for 600 metres: around twice the range of LED headlights. A camera detects traffic and dips the lights automatically to avoid laser surgery for oncoming eyeballs.
The lasers were partly why the LMX cost £160,025 when new – a hefty £35,000 more than the range-topping R8 V10 Plus. It also boasted a carbon fibre front splitter and fixed rear wing, that extra 20hp (a token gesture in a car this potent) and came fully loaded with every option available. These included carbon-ceramic brakes, a Bang and Olufsen hi-fi and diamond-quilted Alcantara headlining. A stripped-out road racer this aint.
Right, full disclosure time. My drive in the R8 took place on a scorching summer afternoon, so I can offer zero feedback on the laser headlights. Suffice to say, journalists at the time seemed a little underwhelmed. What certainly isnt disappointing, however, is that naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10, which rockets the R8 to 62mph in 3.4 seconds and a 198mph top speed. Its just as raw and responsive as I remember, a torrent of stomach-squeezing thrust that doesnt subside until 8,500rpm.
The driving experience still feels utterly contemporary, too. The Audi has slower steering and softer suspension than some supercars and you occasionally feel its 1,600kg heft in corners. Nonetheless, there are few quicker ways to cover ground. A planted, predictable chassis and the security of Quattro four-wheel drive mean swift, safe progress where some mid-engined missiles would feel skittish.
The LMX feels its age inside, with a dot-matrix display between the dials and hopelessly dated sat nav. Frankly, though, Im struggling to care. Switching to Sport mode, I feel the dampers stiffen, the dual-clutch gearbox kicks down and the exhaust baffles open, filling the cabin with glorious V10 thunder. As I blast between bends, revelling in copious grunt and grip, Im quietly thankful there are no flag-waving marshals here. Im sure theyd confiscate the keys.
As an investment, the LMX is the R8 to have, but with so few made, finding one could be your biggest challenge. At the time of writing, there wasnt a single example for sale in the UK. Fortunately, you dont need the uber-R8 for driving thrills: the entry-level V8 is just as visceral, almost as fast and available used from just £35,000. For perhaps the ultimate usable supercar, thats a bit of a bargain.
• Tim Pitt works for motoringresearch.com
