Audi R8

Our verdict Since the Audi R8 arrived, suddenly the Porsche 911 isn’t the default-choice for an everyday supercar. The best thing Audi has produced since the original Quattro.

• Comfort

  Surprisingly for a car with such high performance the R8 is remarkably easy to get on with. Quiet when you're not flooring it, great vision and surprisingly super-comfy seats. It is low though, so watch out for that dodgy hip.

  

• Performance

  The new V12 TDI might have been in the news, but the 4.2-litre V8 in the R8 (and lifted from the RS4) is simply a beaut. Dry-sumped to sit low, the 309kW motor kicks the R8 to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. Best of all? These figures feel achievable in the real world.

  

• Cool

  Almost beyond reason

  

• Quality

  The best, but you will notice some borrowed bits from other Audi product. Not a huge issue.

  

• Handling

  Sublime. Even though the R8 is four-wheel drive most of the power is directed to the back wheels, making this a real driver's car. There's adjustability off the throttle and a real sense that this is a car that has been developed until it bled.

  

• Practicality

  Again, surprisingly for such a fast car, the boot is pretty big and the vision excellent. You could live with this car in the same way as people do with a 911 - and that's a very big compliment.

  

• Running costs

  Please. This is $264,000 supercar. Do you really want to know about fuel consumption?