Audi R8 V10

The 2009 Auto Express Performance Car of the Year wears Audi’s famous four rings. We knew from past experience that the incredible R8 would be a contender for overall honours, but the new V10 left us grasping for superlatives in Anglesey! The fact it beat 19 other high-octane hopefuls to the crown was no mean feat, especially when you consider the quality of the opposition. However, the R8 was the stand-out choice for our test team.

Everything about this supercar is extraordinary. It looks incredible from any angle, while its interior is beautifully designed and great to use. The V10 engine provides the perfect soundtrack from the moment it barks into life, and the noise of the open-gate metal lever as you slot it into gear sets this car apart from everything else in the paddock.

Nose out of the pits and you can forget about the weather conditions – even in rainy north Wales. The Audi possesses incredible grip and its quattro four-wheel drive generates unbelievable traction. As a result, its devastating all-weather pace needs to be experienced to be believed.

The four-wheel-drive set-up even directs more power to the rear wheels under hard cornering, so the R8 is just as fun as the sporty rear-driven cars lined up against it here.

It’s also incredibly capable on the road, where excellent visibility helps you to make the most of the performance. It even cruises with the refinement of an executive saloon.

At £99,850, the R8 isn’t exactly cheap, but if you’re spending this kind of money, the raft of extra equipment the V10 offers over the V8 model makes it look really tempting. Even more so when you consider that its close relation from Lamborghini – the Gallardo – costs another £40,000.

If we could award six stars for desirability, we would. But even without its extra star, the R8 V10 is a worthy winner of our Performance Car of the Year crown.

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