THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME

"Man, let me assure you," Ryan said, patting Zachary's back. "If you're free to select any 2012 model, then it has got to be an Audi R8 GT. You have to forget about this garbage that's the TT or whatnot. The two machines are incomparable in performance. The R8 GT is the sky, while the TT is the earth. That's why the R8 GT costs more than twice the price of the TT. Are you getting me, my friend?"

"Ryan," Camilla chipped in before Zachary could respond. "Don't forget that not all customers love sporty cars. Some are just buying vehicles for the convenience they'll bring into their day-to-day lives. So, we need to establish first which type of car Zachary needs instead of trying to force a choice on him."

"Bullshit," Ryan said, waving an arm in a dismissive gesture. He seemed to have lost all reason after beginning his car debate with Camilla. "You know very well that the R8 GT is a much better machine, even when taking the average user into consideration."

"Let me tell you this," Ryan continued, his voice animated. "Whether it's the horsepower generated by the engine, the aesthetics, the braking system, or the comfort and quality, there is no way an Audi TT will ever match an R8 GT. It's a machine in the mid-engine supercar territory. Even its base model can accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.4 seconds. It has a top speed of 320 km/h and horsepower of over 420 from its 4.2-liter V8 engine. We're still talking about the R8 GT base model here. So, tell me, how can a TT compare to such a machine?"

"Guys," Zachary chipped in before Camilla could reply. He had just realized that he'd run into two car-loving gearheads. "Since I have already seen the TT, maybe I should first take a look at this R8 GT. Maybe, I will like it as well. Is that possible, Camilla?"

"Good call, brother," Ryan said, smiling and giving him a thumbs-up. "Since you're getting something for free, you'd better aim for the best model in the line-up. You may never get this chance again." He added, smiling like a rogue.

"Well," Camilla said, maintaining a polite smile. "There are only two R8 GT machines here in the showroom. One is in grey while the other is blue. Like the TT, they're also clutchless, with automated manual transmission. The R8 GT model itself has the R-Tronic on board, which can be—controlled via paddles on the steering wheel. That is if the driver so wishes."

"This is the second time you're mentioning this automated manual transmission," Zachary chipped in. "But what does it mean? Is it manual or automatic?"

"I can answer that," Ryan was quick to reply before Camilla could give her response. "An automated manual transmission is mechanically similar to a manual transmission, except that the sensors and actuators perform the clutch work and shift gears. That's why vehicles with such a transmission system don't have a clutch, but only an accelerator and a brake pedal."

"So, in simple terms, the whole point is to automate the manual transmission so that the job of pressing the clutch to shift gears via a stick no longer rests with the driver," Ryan continued. "An R8 GT has such a system, and it'll be quite easy for any driver to handle while still having the ability of a supercar. That's why I'm advising you to grab it for yourself. It's literally a super high-performance machine modified for the normal user."

"So, in other words, it's like the normal automatic when you take away all the fancy terms," Zachary queried, caressing his chin. "Isn't that right?"

"Yes, you can put it that way," Ryan replied, smiling. "But it's much more complicated than that."

"Then that's good," Zachary replied, nodding. "I'm far from a racing enthusiast, and I don't like to stress my mind, especially on days after intensive training sessions or matches. So, you guys have to note that I prefer an automatic since it won't stress me on the road."

"You've got to trust me on this, Zach," Ryan said, still smiling. "The R8 GT is easy on the hands. You can set it in such a way that the computer does nearly all the work, leaving you only with the role of steering and braking. You'll surely enjoy it."

"Then let's take a look at this R8 GT model," Zachary said, turning towards Camilla. "As long as I don't have to always struggle with stepping on the clutch to shift gears, I'll probably like it."

"Okay," Camilla said, the corners of her mouth lifting into a charming smile. "I'll take you to the side showroom where the two R8 GTs are parked. Follow me." She added before leading the way across the showroom to the next one.

Zachary and Ryan trailed after her—and a while later, they stood before two gorgeous cars. They were the sort of sleek, sporty machines Zachary had only seen on TV in his previous life. They projected a racy ambiance, with their wide sculpted fenders, large air intakes at the front and sides, and low-sloped rooflines. Everything about them melded together in perfect design harmony.

Although Zachary had come to the dealership hoping to buy a simple vehicle that could blend in with the crowd, he'd instantly changed his mind after seeing the two German machines. He'd already fallen in love with the aesthetics of the two automobiles.

"So, will you be taking one of these?" Camilla inquired after walking up to the blue R8 GT and tracing a hand over it. She seemed much more alluring standing in front of the sleek machine. Leaning next to the car, she looked like the perfect muse for any photographer or artist out there.

"I love the grey one," Zachary replied, forcing himself to look away from Camilla. He didn't know what had happened to him that day. Her beauty was captivating him in ways that he couldn't understand. Even a soft smile from her would send his heart racing.

"Grey is good," Ryan said, breaking Zachary out of his reverie. "Now, this is the machine that somehow matches your status as an upcoming Rosenborg star. It's stylish, stable on the road, powerful, and of course, quite fast. Anything else wouldn't have quite cut it."