2008 Audi R8

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What is it?
2008 Audi R8

What's special about it?
This could be the car that finally puts Audi right up there with BMW and Mercedes-Benz on the U.S. prestige list. In fact, Audi was so confident in the R8's draw, there wasn't even a press conference at the show — the company merely put the car on display and let word of mouth do the rest. From the looks of it, Audi's instincts were right, as the various R8s spread out on Audi's stand were never left alone.

With unique styling and serious performance, the 2008 Audi R8 is a sports car that BMW and Mercedes-Benz don't have an answer for. Built on an aluminum spaceframe shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, the R8 uses double-wishbone suspension arms, front and rear, along with coil springs and adjustable magnetic fluid dampers. This allows several levels of adjustment, which is a good thing given that the R8 rides on standard 18-inch wheels with 235/40 tires up front and 285/35 tires in back.

Power comes from a midmounted 4.2-liter direct-injection V8. With 420 horsepower and an 8250-rpm redline, the R8 is virtually guaranteed to scream. There will be a choice of either a six-speed manual or a paddle-shifted six-speed sequential gearbox, which will send the power to all four wheels via Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. According to Audi, the R8 will hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds on its way up to a top speed of 187 mph.

Roughly the length and width of a Porsche 911, the two-seat R8 stretches over a wheelbase 12 inches longer than the Porsche. This opens up the interior for excellent passenger space and room for small bags behind the seats. Additionally, there are 3.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the nose.

As you might expect in a car that will cost well over $100,000, the R8 is packed with stuff like leather seats, a great sound system and Audi's MMI integrated infotainment operating system (if you're into that kind of thing). There are two additional features that caught our eye, however. The first is the fact that the R8 will be the first production vehicle to use LED headlights. Brighter, longer-lasting and better-looking than even xenon headlights, LEDs are the wave of the future and Audi is out in front.

Another cool feature lies under the hood, or engine cover in the case of the R8's midmounted V8. Naturally there's a clear cover so you can see the engine, but Audi took it one step further and will offer optional indirect lighting in the engine compartment that will make it visible at night. Can't get that in an F430.

What's Edmunds' take?
Just when you think there can't be another original sports car design, Audi comes along and proves there's always another idea out there. Even better, it gave the R8 all the right hardware underneath to back up its unique shape. Guaranteed to be sold out when it goes on sale in the U.S. late next year. — Ed Hellwig