Vehicle: 2008 Audi R8 with Audi exclusive sideblade in body color, Bang & Olufsen Sound system, Premium Pkg and Audi Navigation Plus
Price as tested: CDN$150800

Performance: The R8 is currently powered by the same 4.2 liter DOHC FSI 32-valve V8 as the one in the awesome RS4, with a twist. The difference is this wonderful 420hp and 317 lb/ft of torque is delivered in the midship configuration. That makes for an even better balance than its positioned in the front or the back. As you would expect from a 420hp V8, both the acceleration and responsiveness are nothing less than astounishing. Our tester comes with 6-speed manual gearbox, which scores with perfect gear ratios for both acceleration and cruising. Its also the best manual gearbox I have ever driven in an Audi. Clutch provides plenty of feedback with proper weight for a sports car. With 0-100 km/h in a frisky 4.4 seconds and an engine that is willing to rev, it just makes it even more amazing than it already been.

Handling: Midship engine configuration has always been the excellent fundamental for a great handling sports car. Combined with Audi’s wonderful Quattro AWD and Dynamic Ride Control. The R8 handles like its on rail on both road and track. While the DRC eliminates 99.9% of body rolls when pushed, it doesn’t sacifice any ride comfort. It rides is firm without feeling punished. The Audi Magnetic Ride is another bonus to R8’s wonderful handling dynamics. When it sets to “comfort” mode. Its not like its going to feel like a wet noodle. It just makes it rides softer for comfortable daily driver. On the other hand, when you set to “sport”, the R8 performs admirably on the track. The “sport” setting would make the already amazing steering feel even tighter, more precise and even more responsive. The cornering is flat regardless of which setting you put into the Audi Magentic Ride setting, that’s because this system is so well-coordinated with its DRC. Its ESP system is an uninstrusive variety, which means it doesn’t step in unnecessarily until driver really needs a helping hand. That’s godsent for enthuisast driver as this Quattro is a rear-bias system. It lets driver to have a bit of oversteer fun even with the confidence of Quattro AWD. Its not until at the very moment when the ESP has detected the driver has got its ugly heads, it starts to show its helping hands.

Brakes: With the large 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, R8’s braking prowess has to be the best I have ever tested in my recent memory. The stopping distance is short and pedal feel is superb. Its completely fade-free even after hard runs on the race track.

Interior: Audi has always been known for producing the best interior in the industry, R8 is no exception. There are plenty of excellent plastic and leather materials in the cabin. The Alcantara leather sports seats have amazing back and side support. Alcantara is a material that won’t make driver slips all around when having fun, it gives driver more alert than the usual leather seating surface. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. Both the automatic climate control and B&O stereo are logically placed. As good as B&O sound system, its an option costing a whopping $2300.

Conclusion: The Audi R8 is a truly astounishing piece of machinery. Its not only its a hard-to-fault sports car, its also the first serious challenger to the legendary Porsche 911 in history. If I were Porsche, I should start to worry now!

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 Audi R8
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5