Audi R8 is Robb Report's 2008 COTY

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of Audi R8 pics

It's not something many people have talked about, but perhaps the biggest problem with the Audi R8 is that the car doesn't offer enough storage to haul its own growing bundle of awards. Among a passel of other international pubs, Automobile, Playboy, and Autobild have all named the R8 the ant's pants and the bee's knees, or something like that. Latest to sign the R8 Fan Register is the Robb Report, which has placed the R8 on the top step of its Car of the Year awards.

It was apparently "the closest voting in the award's recent history," which is not hard to understand based on the depth of the field. The stupendous machinery trumped by the R8 includes the Ferrari 599, 911 Turbo Cabriolet, Bentley Continental GT Speed, and Aston Martin Vantage V8. The award is decided by automotive professionals as well as Robb Report readers privileged enough to join in. Coming from a magazine that caters to people who can have anything, and often want people to know just how much they spent on everything, Audi's award is no small beer.

Of course, none of these accolades truly count until the car gets Autoblog's stamp of long-term-test approval, so Audi, whenever you think you're ready, we're here. In the mean time, you can check out the full Robb Report press release after the jump, and check out the gallery of hi-res pics below.

[Source: Robb Report]


PRESS RELEASE:

ROBB REPORT EDITORS NAME AUDI R8 AS 2008 CAR OF THE YEAR

Luxury Lifestyle Authority Lauds Exceptional Performance and Aggressive Styling

MALIBU, CA (January 11, 2008) –Praised as "an amalgamation of racing experience, engineering prowess and design bravado," the Audi R8 has been selected by the editors of Robb Report as the magazine's 2008 Car of the Year.

Scheduled to be formally announced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 13, the award is presented annually to an automobile, formally introduced in the previous year, whose technical
designs, styling and performance position it as the world's preeminent sports or luxury car.

In addition to the Audi R8, finalists in Robb Report's 2008 Car of the Year (listed in order of finish) included the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet, Bentley Continental GT Speed, Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Roadster, Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG, Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé, Maserati GranTurismo, Lamborghini LP640 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, Lexus LS600h L, BMW M6 Convertible, Saleen S302 Extreme and Dodge Viper SRT10.

Selection of the Audi R8 resulted from a week of testing by a panel of experts that included Robb Report automotive editor Gregory Anderson, along with correspondents Paul Dean and Marco della Cava. Those journalists were joined by a panel of judges consisting of executives and Robb Report readers from throughout the world.

Outdistancing the highly competitive field of sports and luxury entrants, the R8 took top honors in what Mr. Anderson described as "the closest vote in the award's recent history." He said the newest addition to the Audi
line "is a sports car that you could drive comfortably to work every day – taking the long route. And while Audi may not have the cachet of Ferrari or Porsche, it can keep pace with a prancing horse on an empty stretch of
tarmac."

In earning the honor, the R8 was defined by Mr. Dean as "a technologically superior supercar that is both kitten and tiger, depending on a driver's mood. "The R8, according to Mr. Dean, "shows a vital, voracious
silhouette-which is a fine interpretation of the snub nose and pollywog tail of those old Auto Union racers."

Mr. Dean's opinion was echoed by fellow judge della Cava, who referred to the R8 as "a car in search of a track. Sure, it will hum along on empty country roads and idle contentedly in traffic, but, with all its midmounted
eight cylinders, the R8 screams for off-camber apexes and long straightaways. The car also is exceedingly generous, offering a driver instant competence."

"We are honored that Robb Report's editors have bestowed us with the honor of Car of the Year," stated Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President, Audi of America. "The Audi R8 and its performance are no coincidence. The R8 is the product of a well conceived plan that was superbly executed."

Scheduled to hit newsstands on January 21, Robb Report's February issue provides discriminating automotive enthusiasts with an in-depth exploration of a wide array of new models and emerging technologies. Coverage also includes after-market products for the finest class of luxury cars and the most sought-after and elegant vintage vehicles.

Now in its 32nd year, Robb Report is the international authority on the luxury lifestyle. Each month, the magazine reports on issues and trends affecting the affluent market, with coverage of exclusive events and features on exceptional automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, art, jewelry, watches, fashion, travel, homes, wines, spirits and cigars. Additional information can be accessed through the magazine's Web site,
www.robbreport.com.