Sunday, March 3, 2013

Forza Horizon: V10-powered cousins

A Black Knight in Shining Armor

This is the Audi R8 GT, it's somewhat an improved version of the Audi R8 V10, which in the world of Forza, was one of the best cars I have ever driven since FM3 and for a car that is limited to 333 units worldwide, the R8 GT has an updated 5.2L V10 engine that produces about the same power as the Gallardo LP560-4. That's right, the GT version develops about 560HP of power! Think about it though, for a car that really doesn't have a sense of humor (no matter the corny punchline you'll throw), the R8 GT is definitely a serious lightweight exotic that was trimmed down for perfection and using the knowledge of Audi's motorsport enrichment since Le Mans....

Into the dark skies

Because the V10 engine's upgraded and it lost a hundred kilograms thanks to Audi's consistent use of lightweight materials, 0-60mph time is 3.6 seconds and on a straight, it goes about 320kph according to the manufacturer. It terms of driving feel, the R8 GT is really a sharp handler on its own right. Even though it's a 4WD exotic with its engine mounted at the middle, the R8 GT sure knows how to dance in the corners unlike any other 4WD cars that goes too much grip. It really tickles my instincts but sometimes it really bores me a lot, sort of...

R8 GT showing the nite grooves




Surprisingly though, because the Audi R8 is just a German take of the Lamborghini Gallardo despite the fact that the R8 has some of the Lamborghini components, I was gonna think that the GT version is the Audi equivalent of the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera but question is, is the R8 GT better than its Italian stalemate?

It's the Superleggera, hear it roar

The lesser the weight, the more interesting it gets

Uh....this is somewhat too much because while the Audi R8 GT is all about being a serious driver's car, the Gallardo Superleggera is all about being insane. While having the insane V10 engine, same as the R8 GT's, the insane V10 noise, the insane design that present Lambos get, and its Lamborghini quality, the Gallardo Superleggera really thinks that the R8 GT tries to mimick its moves and by judgement, comparing between the R8 GT and the Superleggera is confusing but hey, it seems that the Superleggera was there in the first place of being the lightweight version of the Gallardo and by terms of Superleggera; less weight, more fun. The Audi R8 GT is quite somewhat a carbon copy of the Gallardo Superleggera because they both have improved V10s and they both gone to the South Beach Diet.

What's this? A ray of light coming?

When I drove both the R8 and the Gallardo, those experiences I felt on these cars are pretty much the same but sometimes different, depending on my driving style, road conditions, and their moment of truth. Only someone with a keen judgment can decide which of these two is the better bet and as it turned out, it's not that easy picking a winner between these two...

Try driving these two and you'll see the difference...

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