THE CAR: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro
THE LOWDOWN: Audi adds power and focus to their unmistakable, sideblade-bearing supercar, making it even super-er.
WHY WE'RE STOKED: The astral-curved, V-8 powered R8 is nearing two years old, and there's still not another mid-engined sportscar on the road that manages to do both "subtle" and "audacious" so well. When a new version arrives powered by a vociferous, punchy 5.2 liter V10 engine, the scale should tip toward "audacious"—as in louder, faster, and more awesome. We're all for that. Its new powerplant was developed in partnership with Audi's daughter company Lamborghini, and much of the powertrain will be shared with Lambo's ferocious 560-4 Gallardo (a car that, when you hear its roar in person, may cause you to lose sleep. seriously.) With the upgraded engine, the V-10 R8 will make 525 horsepower, over a hundred more than the V8 version, and torque goes up to 395 lb.-ft, which will get the all-wheel drive machine from 0-60 in under 3.9 seconds. Top speed will be 196mph. Along with the performance boost, the V10 version gets a few stylistic tweaks that make the R8's design even more striking: the vertically-mounted carbon fiber air scoops (sideblades, Audi calls them) are more pronounced, the cross-braces on the front air intakes look a little less fussy, and the headlights are all-LEDs. Oh yeah, and you can still opt in for a 12-speaker, 465 watt Bang & Olufsen stereo. You know, in case you need to drown out the beautiful noise of the 10 cylinders just behind you. BUYING IT: The V10 R8 will hit U.S. roads in the fourth quarter of 2009, and should go for around $180,000. Count us in for a couple.
PHOTOS COURTESY AUDI