In pictures: the cars of Iron Man

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Audi R8

Powered by a 4.2-litre 414bhp V8 powerplant, the new Audi R8 has been receiving rave reviews.

The new Audi R8 is a masterpiece of engineering which manages to blend everyday usability and devastating performance in a handling package which offers maximum driving involvement.

Audi S5

Battering up against the new BMW 3 Series coupe and hot new Mercedes CLK, the Audi A5 is an über-cool coupe which boasts Audi’s rock-solid build quality with excellent driving dynamics.

But there’s only one A5 which gets the Iron Man’s nod of approval – the 4.2-litre V8 powered Audi S5.

The Audi S5 packs a 350bhp V8 under its sleek curves, and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds before topping out at 155mph.

Audi R10

Audi turned the world of sports car racing on its head two years ago when it became the first manufacturer to win the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race with a diesel car.

The Audi R10 race car features a 5.5-litre V12 diesel engine which produces 650bhp – as much as a Ferrari Enzo – and in race tune can produce up to 700bhp.

And this diesel powerplant is the basis behind the road-going Audi R8 V12 TDi diesel sportscar.

Saleen S7

This hand-built Californian beauty features a superhero-slaying 7-litre V8 powerplant churning out 550bhp – enough to propel playboy Tony Stark from 0-60mph in just 3.4 seconds and from 0-100mph in around eight seconds.

But the carbon fibre-bodied Saleen S7 supercar underwent a revamp in 2005 – the trio of engineers responsible, including Steve Saleen, decided to strap on two turbochargers to the massive 7-litre V8 to produce an eye-watering 750bhp.

The twin-turbo Saleen S7 sprints from 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and tops out at a Bugatti Veyron-bothering 248mph.

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Shelby Cobra

Back in the 1960s, UK carmaker AC was contacted by Carroll Shelby to install some Ford V8 power into its lightweight sportscar – and a legend was born.

The Cobra is one of the world’s most recognisable sportscars, and US-based manufacturer Shelby has started up production again on this iconic power-hungry road rocket.

The 1965 Shelby Cobra used a 300bhp 4.7-litre V8 engine propelling the baby roadster from 0-60mph in around five seconds – today’s versions are considerably faster.

Rolls Royce Phantom

It’s longer than a Range Rover, weighs more than a BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne, and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds.

The opulent Rolls Royce Phantom is one of the most luxurious and exclusive cars in the world – Sir Alan Sugar’s got one – featuring a 6.75-litre V12 engine producing 453bhp.

The ultra-cool Roller even boasts double ‘RR’ badges on the wheels which stay upright when the wheels are moving, and instead of a standard rev counter, the Phantom has a ‘power reserve.’

Tesla Roadster

Roaring V8 super saloons and five hundred-horsepower Ferraris can be expensive toys to run around – thankfully Iron Man has added the ultra-efficient Tesla Roadster to his armoury of knockout motors.

The Tesla Roadster is based on a Lotus Elise and uses 6,800 laptop batteries to help it become the world’s cleanest sportscar – it is capable of returning an equivalent of 135mpg.

And despite the Tesla’s green credentials, it will still crack the 0-62mph sprint in 3.9 seconds, which is quicker than a Ferrari F430, and top out at 130mph.

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Iron Man rating: PG-13
Running time: 125 minutes
UK release date: 2 May 2008