Audi R8 - Fifth Gear Car of the Year

"It represents a massive leap forward for Audi - traditionally you didn’t even have to drive something with four rings on the front to know what it was going to be like - safe, sturdy and just a little bit forgettable. But the R8 blew us away. We gave it the stiffest possible test, and put it head to head with the all-conquering Porsche 911, which we expected to win easily. In a straight line drag race, the 911 only just nicked it. In a drifting contest, the R8’s Quattro system didn’t stop it oversteering like a muscle car, and in a bumper to bumper, wheel to wheel battle on the track, it held its own easily. It was an absolute pleasure to discover that the R8 was as thrilling to drive as it was good looking. It’s a very worthy Fifth Gear Car of the Year."

Based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform, the Audi R8 is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine developing 414 hp. The R8 makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.4 seconds and hits a top speed of 187 mph.