The car's 420-hp V-8 yowled behind me as I tick-tick-ticked the gearshift through the beautifully machined metal gate. (Paddle-shift is available too.) The R8 handled superbly, but was it aggressive enough to let me scare myself?

When the German track hand gave the signal, I dropped into first gear and began a slalom. The R8's tires squealed but held on tight. Through sweeping corners and tight turns, the car was quick and capable. In order to let play preside, the car's redline is a rollicking 8,250 rpm, with 317 foot-pounds of torque available from 3,000 rpm to 7,500 rpm (can you say testosterone playground three times fast?).