Hard to ask for more

With the increasing number of fiery sports cars rolling out of Porsche, Mercedes and BMW assembly plants, Audi could hardly afford not to counterattack. Sure, the four-ring brand can always rely on its high-performance sedans and wagons (S4, S6, S8 and RS4) to showcase its strike force, but offering a true supercar was becoming a necessity.

Recently, the team at Auto123.com had the opportunity to test-drive the 2008 Audi R8 as part of the "Audi R8 Trans-Canada Performance Tour". To tell you the truth, we instantly fell in love with this outrageous machine. It was the first time that Audi tried to create an exotic sports car and, boy, did they hit the bull's eye. The competition must be having nightmares!

The R8 uses the same chassis as the Lamborghini Gallardo.

A must-see
As a halo car that attracts consumers to Audi showrooms, the R8 plays its role perfectly... provided that it remains on the showroom floor long enough.

An extremely sporty demeanor, an ultra-low stance as well as a sleek, refined silhouette clearly set the R8 apart. This car has so much presence that it hypnotizes onlookers and creates a stir in traffic. In fact, when we shot the video, we had to stop in front of a convenience store to allow the crew to switch places and gear. In just a few seconds, we emptied the store: everyone wanted to get a closer look at the R8. Most of them asked all sorts of questions, while some appeared to be struck with awe.

The lines of this Audi are so sexy that a thousand pictures and a million words wouldn't do it justice. There are infinite details to admire and analyze, such as the LED-equipped daytime running lights.

The interior design is more understated yet equally well executed. Among the first few things you notice are the polished aluminum shift gate and the square-bottom steering wheel. And like most Audi models, the R8 features an outstanding selection of quality materials to enhance the feel of the cockpit.

A raging V8
The R8 benefits from the same engine as the RS4 sedan. This rear-mounted 4.2L V8 generates 420 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed manual transmission or a new sequential gearbox called "R tronic".

The R8 shares its V8 engine with the compact RS4.