The last time my new Audi R8 graced the pages of evo-me it had just completed the requisite 1,000 km running in period that any responsible car owner should subject their new purchase to.  While all I wanted to do was stretch the R8’s legs and explore its limits, I instead hopped onto a plane for what ended up being the first of several consecutive trips that kept me away from Dubai and my Audi for over 2 months.  I eventually stopped racking up the frequent flyer miles and got home to an ignored R8 covered in an inch thick layer of dust. First order of the day was to head to the Grand station car wash next to Defence interchange for a loving hand wash and polish.   Having regained its previous metallic black lustre it was now time to remind myself of why I had bought this car in the first place, and it certainly hasn’t failed to deliver.  I am quickly reacquainted with what makes this car so special.  Free of all restrictions I watch the rpm needle rapidly make its way towards the 8,000 redline accompanied by an equally rapid blurring of Jumeirah scenery through my windscreen. Pull the right hand paddle that operates the automated manual gearbox and an upshift is quickly slammed home with a metallic thud. While not the fastest shifting gearbox of its type by any means, there is a wonderfully tactile feel to the way it swaps cogs, particularly in Sport mode.  Switch the traction and stability control off (they can be disabled separately) and the R8 once again surprises me with its distinctly tail led balance. You must remind yourself that this is a 4wd Audi!  Instead of the usual safe understeer, I find myself sliding out of just about every corner I come across at usually ludicrous sideways angles. I’m not sure how much longer my tyres will last if I keep this up, but to be honest that is the last thing on my mind at the moment as I continue to enjoy the playful handling of the R8.

A couple of weeks later I find myself in the slightly uncomfortable and ironic position of being surrounded by almost 50 Porsches. I am on a Porsche Club UAE drive to Khassab in the Mussandam region of Oman, but instead of my trusty old Mk1 GT3, I couldn’t resist bringing the R8 on what is one of the worlds and surely the Middle East’s greatest driving road. Once across the Ras Al Khaimah border into Oman the stretch of tarmac ahead snakes for kilometres with nothing but mountains to your right and the stunning Indian Ocean to your left demanding your complete and undivided attention if you intend to make rapid progress, and we aren’t exactly hanging around. While a bit slower in a straight line than the 911 GT3’s and Turbo’s, I am more than able to hold my own when the road begins to twist and turn.  At the end of the drive I am equally exhilarated and fresh as the R8 again demonstrates its incredible ability to both thrill and cosset.   The more I drive this car, the more I love it.  I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.