Audi R8 V10 Wins AutoExpress Performance Car of the Year 2009

Audi R8 V10 Wins AutoExpress Performance Car of the Year 2009
Auto Express has brought together 20 of this year's best drivers' cars for the toughest test of all - choosing Britain's greatest performance car.

With our challengers ranging in price from £15,000 to more than £100,000 - this year's road test special is bigger and better than ever. We promise to put you in the driving seat of some of the most exciting new metal launched in 2009.

As tradition dictates, our reigning champion - the Nissan GT-R - returns to defend its crown. But every other contender has been introduced to our showrooms in the past 12 months.

To put them through their paces, we've headed back to what we think is the best testing location in Britain: the fantastic Anglesey Circuit in North Wales. With its blend of long straights and challenging, tight corners - not to mention some of the most stunning scenery in the country - it's a real test of any car's ability.

Auto Express's resident race driver, senior road tester Owen Mildenhall, completed three laps in each car, and his fastest time was one of the components in our overall ranking. We also gave each of our 20 contenders a score for track driving, road driving and desirability - so read on to see where they placed.

Our film crew was on hand to capture thrilling on-board hot laps of every car, plus there's some breathtaking trackside footage as our contenders are pushed to the limit.

We hope you enjoy reading our Performance Car of the Year countdown as much as we enjoyed putting it together!




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SteveSteve - 9/22/2009 4:56:03 PM
+7 Boost
I don't know if the R8 is the "best" performance car (how do you define "best"?), but it is surely noteworthy. Kudos to Audi for shaking the "unexciting and practical" persona it has been carying for years.


david999david999 - 9/22/2009 5:31:51 PM
-3 Boost

A pretty pitiful list if you asked me. No Ferrari, Lambo, Mercedes etc.


_43LE_43LE - 9/22/2009 6:48:16 PM
+3 Boost
Heaven forbid Turbo! If you considered the Mazda, what would der Fuhrer think of you?


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/22/2009 6:28:15 PM
0 Boost
I'll take the only car that managed under a minute thank you :)


veyron1001veyron1001 - 9/22/2009 7:00:15 PM
+1 Boost
No need. Supercharge a Z06 and put that god awful body kit on it and you are there.


AlleVierAlleVier - 9/22/2009 7:01:26 PM
+1 Boost
For a lot more reasons than that, I'd hope. (Just preempting the "x car did the lap in x seconds yet it finished in x place" comments that are sure to follow.)


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 9/22/2009 8:52:39 PM
0 Boost
Winner's always come in first. I don't know why people make performance reviews subjective to personal bias. If it's fast it's fast.


ThierryHenry14ThierryHenry14 - 9/22/2009 11:23:59 PM
+3 Boost
Give me a R8 V10 and I'll be happy.


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