Audi R8

The mission is simple: get behind the wheel of the Audi R8 on the only snowy day in Atlanda so far this year. Drive it enough to geta feel for its raucous power, grippy handling and smoothly styled cockpit for the Gaywheels crowd. Audi's first true sportscar is an engineering jewel--and it owes some inspiration, if not mechanical pieces, to the Gallardo. Audi is in charge of Lamborghini these days in the VW empire, and the R8 shares a lot of Gallordo's attitude, from its mid-engine layout to its snug cockpit. But they're only remotely related. While the Gallardo gets massive 530-horsepower, 5.0-420 horsepower, and a sticker of $240,000 pricetag, the R8 makes do with only eight cylinders and "only" 420 horsepower, and a sticker of $109,000. Quelle bargain!(if you're comparing to the 911, it makes about 355 horsepower in non-turbo versions.)