BEST NEW PRESTIGE CAR &
MOST COVETED VEHICLE
(over $75,000)
Named for Audi’s all-conquering endurance racers, the R8 marks Audi’s first foray into the full-on exotic sportscar market. And what an effort.
Borrowing bits from sister company Lamborghini, the mid-engined all-wheel drive R8 is an aluminum and carbon-fibre dream. Powered by the same
420-hp 4.2-litre V8 found in the defunct RS4, Audi claims the R8 will go from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 301 km/h. Either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatically-shifted sequential transmission are offered.
Despite its looks and resume, the R8 is fantastically easy to drive, making everyone feel like Mario Andretti. And it’s remarkably usable, much like a Porsche 911 is compared to a Ferrari F430. You wouldn’t feel nearly as bad if the R8 were dirty.
Current Issue
September-October
AUDI R8
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