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Audi R8

For years, the Porsche 911 was pretty much your only option if you wanted a real track car you could live with every day. That's finally changed with the introduction of the R8. Simply put, this Lamborghini Gallardo–based Audi (now with a V-8, though a V-10 is said to be in the cards) does everything the 911 does, but a little faster and a little better. Take acceleration: While the R8 smoothly hits 100 mph in 10 seconds (thanks to that V-8 coupled with its R-tronic transmission), in the 911 you're thrashing the clutch and banging gears to reach the same speed in over 11 seconds. And the typical Audi interior—light-filled, ergonomic, elegant—easily outclasses the dour look of the 911's. The only downside: This thing is a real crowd magnet, a phenomenon not likely to diminish anytime soon, thanks to Audi's deliberate, rarity-fostering limited production plans.
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Base price: $118,775
Configuration: Two-door, mid-engine, all-wheel-drive coupe
Engine: 4.2-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8
Power and torque: 420 hp at 7800 rpm, 317 lb-ft at 4500 rpm
Curb weight: 3,450 lb