[s-cars] NYIAS weekend recap

[Gísli Óttarsson]

The Icelandic Audi dealer had a small Audi-show a couple of week-ends ago.
They invited the known local Audi-aficionados for a grand-opening the first
evening.  Very nice affair with champagne and caviar.

The cars:

R8
S8
RS4

plus a bunch of nice A models.  No S6 and no S5.

All the cars were open and unattended.  I spent at least 10 minutes in the
seats of each of the R8, S8 and RS4.

The R8 is a beauty, but I've sworn off two-seaters for life.  Too
impractical.  The S8 didn't do it for me.  I just think it is too
overwhelming, somehow.  I don't think that low-slung grill design will age
well.  This may be a parent's bias, but I think the D2 is the prettiest and
elegant Audi ever and ranks among the best looking cars on the road.  The S8
at the show was totally loaded and the V10 engine was attracting a lot of
attention.  The RS4 also had a lot of extra equipment.  Amazingly the
sticker price of the S8 and the RS4 was almost dead-on which makes the RS4
ridiculously expensive.  But boy did it seem like a lot of fun.  There was
no price-tag on the R8.  My understanding was that it was drivable, but more
of a show-circuit mule.  They told me that it would be exported again and
was soon to be destroyed.  Sad.

Gisli


On 4/16/07, pkrasusky at ups.com <pkrasusky at ups.com> wrote:
>
>
> Morning-
>
> NYIAS, my first experience of *any* major auto show.  The show?  Meh.
> Too many ahem dirtypeople clogging the shoulder room, and sadly (ok
> fortunately) for me, I strive for daily life to be NYIAS but with gas /
> rubber being burnt so pardon my jadedness.
>
> But there were a few highlights.  The first will be the last - the
> commute.  We BOMBED down Rt. 15 in der //S8, I chucked the keys to my
> personal mechanic Bob Rossato and jumped in back mit 500E Jimmaaaay to
> properly enjoy the execujetlimo experience.  GA(!!!) resident and
> apparent insane asylum escapee Tom Saltino flew up to grab shotgun.
> More later.
>
> At the show, highlights were (even if I didn't own and Audi) the R8.  To
> me it was the most exciting car there, and near the most significant.
> Yeah the 599GTB was surprisingly better looking in person than expected,
> but their Display Chic unfortunately (fortunately) overshadowed that.
> Scaglietti?  Bleh.  I'm sure it drives nice.
>
> Man, my first R8 in person.  Ohboyohboy can Paul not wait to get grubby
> paws (and shoes) in that.  Sigh.  An awe inspiring machine.  I'll get
> back to Audi later.
>
> What else.  The XKR sure is sexy.  I hate the way they effectively
> rebadged an Aston Martin but it works and looks like fun.  Headliner out
> of a Mercury Sable on an otherwise snootily clad / equipped / capable
> car???  C'mon.
>
> MB's CLK63 on rotisserie.  I pondered parting with a danglyone  for
> that.  Bet that's a box 'o FUN!
>
> The Maybach 63S was too overwhelmed with every NBA / NFL / Gangsta
> wannabe to even get a glimpse of it.  Good thing I've already JNR'd a
> bunch heh heh.  Sexxxxxxxxxxy in black tho!  Oddly enough we saw a non-S
> 62 in traffic with Jersey tags as we walked back to my car after.
>
> Near the same case with the pair of Lambo's.  Could barely even see
> them, good thing we know certain secret handshakes (those sure do come
> in handy).  Murciellago and ragtop, both clad white mit black
> steamroller wheels.  That whaledong of a centerpipe could swallow my
> entire CRANIUM - I'm imagining that @ WOT I am - tittyhardons!
>
> Maserati's new coupe is neat but I like the Quattroporte's lines better
> - less Maco Shark is a good thing.  Gots to whoop on one of dem someday
> I do, bet they're a hoot.
>
> Ponticrap's G8 sure is intriguing.  Besides raping BMW's dual kidney
> grille and near pulling it off better, the thing packs content and
> capability.  Hopefully it'll execute like the GTO I autox'd but better,
> the variables sure are present in promise.  Roped off unfort.
>
> WTF Volvo is doing surrounding their rear bumper reflectors with silver
> trim like a Silverado SS's front intakes is beyond comprehension.
> VOMIT!  And don't get me going on Slaab 9-5's Battlestar Galactica Silon
> Raider headlight chrome surrounds.  Ruins an otherwise nicely lined car.
> Fools.
>
> Porsche?  Targa 4S I'm sure is fun but why not just call it a sunroof?
> Lotta coin to boot.  Me I'll just await Aug. arrival of bestest friends'
> 997GT3RS muwhahahahahaa.  Er, sorry.
>
> Back to Audi - //S5?  Trying to keep up with the Jones' apparently.
> Jones' being BMW and Bangle.  It looks "ok", I guess.  Rear roof line
> off a Honda Accord, conflicting lines, overly BMW character line down
> side and into hood, etc.
>
> //S8 on the otherhand?
>
> Now not just b/c I own a D2 - but - ooooooooooy vey!!!  I've sat in one
> and seen another on road before, however this thing simply screams SEXY
> at you.  And boy does it stand out from the rest of the show.  How?  In
> its stance / stature.  It's f'n slung LOW!  Like cowl line at crotch
> height as opposed to der ///M5's at my near-navel.  Weird.  Definitely a
> show highlight.
>
> Der //S6 was at least open - VERY nice Recaro's!!!  Dig it.  Great
> cockpit, really can't wait to wail on one sometime.
>
> If you're still reading, waiting for the real show highlight???
>
> The CT / NYC / CT commute.  Rt. 15 twists and turns in 2 lane truckless
> splendor down through the "Gold Coast" of CT.  It's a beauteous stretch
> that funnels you into NY in style, and Bob sawed away at the wheel in
> fervor all the while us backseaters watched a D bodied car suck it all
> up with aplomb and grip and comfort in reserve.  There's near no body
> roll, the wheelbase, track, and 245/18Y's seemingly absorb everything.
>
> WHAT an experience back there, 2nd to the driver seat!  Uh, can't crack
> Scotch up there tho 8-).  Four 6'+ adults behind tinted double paned
> glass with outstretched legs on a JNR commute (and it's said ***I***
> drive like a nut???).  What a trip, what great friends I fortunate to
> share this stuff with.  Good times!
>
> Anywho, that's the long and the short of it - through warped twisted and
> somewhat blurry eyes that is...
>
>
> ps.  Beware Bob!
>
> -Paul not particularly right K.
> CT - every day is NYIAS day
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