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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Is a Welcome Center a good idea? Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series Police looking for possible additional victims in Ashland rape cases Bee college takes to the air Police Reports Education Bee college takes to the air Grizzlies shine at Eugene speech tourney Ashland High School named among best in the state High school Student of the Month: Jackson Richmond Senior party fundraising starts Environment The birdman of Bellview Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Mt. 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Granlund cartoon: Leonard Nimoy dies Our View: A growing concern Jeffrey Gillespie: Generation Y and the baby boomers Our View: A change of scenery Editorial Our View: A growing concern Our View: A change of scenery Our View: Pot tax fairness Our View: Cellular dissonance Our View: Keep pot programs separate Letters Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 24 Feb. 20: Letters at length Feb. 18: Letters to the editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 14 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Growth carries risks Guest Opinion: Legal poisons in our waters Chris Honoré: Public schools: separate, still unequal Guest Opinion: Why so anxious to tax marijuana? Herb Rothschild Jr.: A good day for peace Columns Herb Rothschild: What to do about ISIS? Jeffrey Gillespie: Generation Y and the baby boomers Changes in latitude Michelle Teheux: Will we keep heading down the wrong path? Guest Opinion: Growth carries risks Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Writers, submit HAPA plays the Historic Ashland Armory Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'Mr. Turner' paints an intense portrait Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Ticket Availability SOU's 'The Glass Menagerie' is memory — and memorable Ticket Availability Joyous re-launch of 'Dames at Sea' Music Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series Victor D. Infante: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, some favorite breakup songs The Farr Side: Smith dominates, Beck surprises at Grammys Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Lazarus Effect’ should have been buried Movie review: Don’t ‘Focus’ on the problems and you’ll enjoy this Neill Blomkamp discusses his new film, ‘Chappie’ Quick Flicks: ‘Jupiter Ascending,’ ‘50 Shades of Grey’ Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Food and Drink Sammich does it Chicago-style Where do Ashland’s top chefs go to dine? Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Mourning a teacher, treasuring the threads he wove Community Blog: You Are IT Ride & Drive: 2015 Audi R8 Health Watch: Sticking to your health plan when your family isn’t helping Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Cheeseburger pie is the perfect winter comfort food Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Herb Rothschild: What to do about ISIS? ... Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series ... Police looking for possible additional victims in Ashland rape cases ... Herb Rothschild: What to do about ISIS? ... Music on the Mountain: Ski area launching concert series ... Police looking for possible additional victims in Ashland rape cases ... Ride & Drive: 2015 Audi R8 Comment By Neal White More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 27, 2015 at 2:02 PM By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 27, 2015 at 2:02 PM » Social News “If only Tony Stark’s suit came with the car,” I fired off in an email to my friends at Audi shortly after I received delivery of the 2015 Audi R8 V10 Plus test vehicle this week. The comment was in reference to the Robert Downey Jr.’s character in the movie “Iron Man,” who happened to drive the R8 in the movie. I had barely pressed send when I received a response. “Did you check under the driver’s seat?” I actually stood up from my chair and was headed for the door when I realized it was one of those “gotcha” emails. The Audi R8 supercar is a phenomenal piece of automotive engineering. The R8 is a visually stunning vehicle from any angle, drawing lots of attention while driving down the road or parked in my space in front of the paper. It’s mid-engine, all-wheel drive platform delivers exceptional performance — whether driving across town to your favorite coffee shop or taking a few laps around the track. In addition to the coupe or Spyder (convertible) body styles, R8 consumers have their choice of three available trim choices. The R8 V8 ($115,300 starting price) is powered by a 4.2-liter V-8 engine generating 430 horsepower and capable of a top track speed of 188 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. The R8 V10 ($153,900 starting price) is powered by a 5.2-liter V-10 engine generating 525 horsepower and capable of a top track speed of 196 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds. For the ultimate in luxury performance, the R8 V10 plus ($173,000 starting price) is equipped with a 550 horsepower version of the 5.2-liter V-10, capable of a top track speed of 198 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds. The R8 V10 Plus is only available in coupe body style. Consumers also have the choice of two transmissions — a gated 6-speed manual, or a 7-speed S tronic dual clutch automatic with paddle shifters. And before anyone asks about fuel economy, if you can afford the car, you shouldn’t have any problem keeping it filled with gas. But for the record, this week’s R8 V10 Plus test vehicle equipped with the S tronic transmission (list price $196,500) has an EPA fuel economy rating of 13 mpg city, 22 mpg highway. The interior is just as nice as the exterior. The two-seat cockpit provides excellent visibility, with lots of head, leg and shoulder room for both driver and passenger. While the R8 provides an exceptional ride, it doesn’t provide much room for luggage if want to take a long road trip. Under the bonnet, there is room for a very small travel bag or a large purse. However, in the supercar segment, the Audi R8 is at the top of my list when it comes to comfort and all-round performance. Neal White has been covering the automotive industry for more than 20 years and is affiliated with the Texas Auto Writers Association. THE NUTS AND BOLTS MODEL: 2015 Audi R8 2-seat luxury supercar Coupe or Spyder All-wheel drive Trim packages: V-8, V-10, V-10 Plus PRICE RANGE: $115,000-$200,000 ENGINE: 4.2L V8 (430 hp/316 T) 5.2L V10 (525 hp/391 T) 5.2L V10 (550 hp/398 T) TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual 7-speed S tronic EPA: 14/13/13 mpg city, 23/22/22 mpg highway (V8/V10/V10 Plus S tronic) FUEL: Premium unleaded BRAKES: ABS LENGTH: 174.6 inches WHEELBASE: 104.3 inches WIDTH: 76 inches HEIGHT: 49.36 inches WEIGHT: 3,583-3,957 pounds TRACK: 64.5/62.8 (front/rear) FUEL TANK: 21.1/23.8/ 19.8 gallons (Spyder/Coupe/V10 Plus) TIRES: 19 inches By Neal White More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 27, 2015 at 2:02 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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