It it's good enough for "Ironman," it's good enough for your man.

The Audi R8, which first appeared in the U.S. in a “Godfather-esque” television spot during the Super Bowl this past February, is the company's first mid-engine super car.

It is designed with extreme performance in mind and with other high-end sports cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and BMW M6, in its sights. For the sports car enthusiast, it’s a highly sought after prize. It’s also won a slew of “Car of the Year” awards from auto enthusiast magazines and organizations, and it’s been featured in several major motion pictures – the most notable being “Ironman” - making it the ultimate gift this holiday.

The R8 is loosely based off of the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. It is powered by a 420 hp 4.2-liter V-8 engine, and has full-time all-wheel drive that puts power to the ground. It is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a R-tronic automated sequential manual transmission that allows for manual or automatic gear selection. Standard features include things like satellite radio, Alcantara/leather sport seats, 19-inch alloy wheels, and bi-xenon headlights. Options include a rearview camera, hill hold assist, Bluetooth, six-disc CD changer and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

This March, the Audi R8 was named as 2008 World Performance Car and 2008 World Car Design of the Year at the New York Auto Show.

When naming the Audi R8 as the 2008 World Performance Car, the jurors observed that it has “exceptional balance, refinement and control that grant the driver the confidence to push to the limit. It has astonishing precision for a car of its size category.”

For the 2008 World Car Design of the Year award, the jurors praised the Audi R8 for “transforming the sports car landscape. The R8 design is striking, original and full of interesting details, from the nose strakes to the much discussed vertical ‘blade’ behind the B pillar.”

World Car design expert Tom Matano, Executive Director of the School of Industrial Design, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA commented that the Audi R8 is “a great visual representation of the technology within, a complete package of Techno-Iconic Design.”

Road & Track magazine called it “magic.”

The Audi R8 is available through Audi Henderson, located at 210 North Gibson Road in the Valley Auto Mall. Call 982-4600 or visit www.audihenderson.com for more information.

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Audi R8 Specs

Mid-mounted V-8 engine, 4.2 liter DOHC with FSI® technology produces 420 hp and accelerates the Audi R8 to 60 MPH in 4.4 seconds. Top speed of 187 mph.