CAR OF THE MONTH DECEMBER 2007

Purebred Racer 2008 Audi R8

In short: A high-performance, mid-engine supercar.

How can such a futuristic car look so familiar? The R8, based on a concept car featured in I, Robot with Will Smith, is on the streets now. It takes its name from the winningest thoroughbred at Le Mans, and, of course, a lot of the technology came from racing experiments on the track. The track is where this racer excels, but you can drive it on the street, and it’s tame enough to be a daily driver. That in itself is a feat in engineering. The car is magnificently designed. No matter what angle you look and re-look at it from, it’s gorgeous, fast and ready for performance road-going business. We drove it in the city, on the highway, mountain road and the track, and rarely has something of this caliber given us such satisfaction. This would be the best present to receive, ever.

Distinguishing elements of this mid-engine car are an all-aluminum structure, a carbon or polished aluminum side blade, a racing car-reminiscent cockpit arrangement, some cool LED headlamps, and a museum-style display case engine bay, complete with illumination. Cargo space in the front is extremely limited, but you can fit a golf bag behind the seat or grocery bags, too, if you dare to hit the Safeway in this purebred.

It is a select car that has become a halo product in an already successfully-growing premium car company with the likes of the RS 4, S5 and S6. 

Warranty/Service: Four-year/50,000 mile limited warranty, 12-year limited warranty against rust, 24-hour roadside assistance for four-years/unlimited miles.