I recently had the pleasure of driving a tractor company-inspired V10 in another vehicle; the same engine that launched in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4; The 2011 AUDI R8 V10 Quattro! at 525hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, this car is supercar sick!

My friend traded in his Z06 Corvette and couldn't wait to show me what this AUDI beast could do.... Halfway through a high-speed backroad pass, he offers to let me drive. Out of concern that we may not make it back to his house if he continued to show off it's cornering ability and half out of sheer excitement, I quickly said "YES!"

Almost nothing can compare to the thrill of riding a superbike at speed on Road-Atlanta, VIR, Homestead or Loudon (done that), but this AUDI R8 is quite close. When we returned from our test ride, I staggared from behind the wheel of the R8 and found myself shaking from the thrill.

Once I got back into my 340hp 4.6is, it felt as if I had been robbed! The X5's V8 felt more like a 4-cylinder by comparison to the mighty AUDI. I may never be the same...

BTW.... I had a similar experience in an '08 M5 as a passenger about a month ago. What a great car. I am going to have to pony up soon!

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