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The Audi Way: Stepping into an Audi is always a sanctimonious experience. The rush of fiercely tuned German power, the excitement of high-speed turns via quattro all-wheel drive and the pleasure of five-star interior accommodations has kept Audi at the top of Pike’s Peak since 1969 in the U.S.
 Style: Manifested from the Audi LeMans quattro concept from 2003, the R8 is the inspiration of Audi's racing technologies and advanced design techniques. Inspired by Frank Lamberty’s aerodynamic blueprint, the elaborate yet sultry styling of the two-seater categorizes it with some of the great Italian franchise players. Yet, when design persists over performance, and performance consists of quattro, athletic rubber, powerful brakes, and singing engines, then you have no choice but to be biased towards Audi and their exemplary stable of vehicles.
Performance/Engine: Defined as the fastest Audi known to man, the R8 is blessed with a 420 horsepower V8 4.2-liter FSI engine which sits amidship -- an Audi first -- allowing the sports car to spring from zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds and top out at 187 mph. You can shift swiftly by way of the performance oriented six-speed manual transmission or the six-speed R tronic sequential automatic gearbox.
 Cabin: Stepping inside is like overdosing on your morning’s caffeine session. Audi interiors are so delectable. It’s their code of ethics. And it’s no exaggeration when we say pound for pound, Audi's have the best cockpits in the business. The R8 consists of colorful lighting, Alcantara seats and headliner and an array of gadgetry including the love or hate it multimedia interface (MMI), Bluetooth technology and an upgraded 1000-watt audio system from the Danish company Bang & Olufsen. Yet, I found the space for the driver’s position to narrow. I need room to maneuver when behind the wheel.
 Quattro - Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive system allows the vehicle to grapple the surface as if it was on rails. Before 1980, four wheel drive systems on sports cars were a bust. When Audi countered with Quattro, they immediately began experiencing success and became world rally champs. The R8’s quattro all-wheel drive system is rear biased for better performance.
Production/Costs - The U.S. will see 300 R8s for 2007. Manuals start at $110K, R tronics at $118K. The average price of an R8 with options will hover between $120-$130K.
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