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Supercars these days have gotten unbelievably quick. So quick that you really can't keep up with their performance if left to the devices of a manual gearbox.
Frankly, it took me this long to realise it - some dozen-odd ballsy supercars later that we really aren't built to react this quickly. And the reason why was because I drove the Audi R8 - my first ever manual supercar. Surprised? Well, so far I've been lucky to have tiptronic gearboxes, dual clutches, smart automatics and what not to bother about performance with. So when it came down to testing it, I just couldn't keep up with the heavy clutch, throw and snap back reactions of the drivetrain. When you do eventually pick up the September issue of BS Motoring (and it's not the only kick-ass drive we've done), and head straight for the Road Test sheet you will realise the times are a bit off. A little too off!
So forgive us dear readers for not being able to live up to the supercars you completely lust after. While it does hurt our egos a bit, we realise how easy supercars have become with their all-intelligent auto gearboxes where all you have to do is just step on it or flick a paddle. To drive a manual supercar, you really need to not just flex your thigh muscles, you also need to improve your reaction times, your eyesight and become at least a couple of years younger. Years of sitting behind a desk, piling on the fat and testing reaction skills on a couple of quick automatic gearbox equipped supercars doesn't make us supermen. For once, that gate shifter we've revered for so long has left us truly and utterly humbled!
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