The Audi R8 is a bona fide A-lister in a glittering world of stunning machinery. And it’s all the more impressive that Audi has achieved this status with its first ever supercar.

But Audi didn’t walk into the R8 project with its eyes closed. It put what it had learned from its all-conquering Le Mans race car into practice, creating a near-190mph, mid-engined supercar complete with Audi’s excellent quattro four-wheel drive system.

We sent Stuart Milne to Warwickshire to put the Audi R8 through its paces.

There are few cars which can turn heads like the Audi R8. From the moment other road-users spot the twinkling LED daytime running lights and hear the guttural roar from the four exhaust pipes, they know they’re in the presence of something very special.

So imagine the reactions when drivers in Warwickshire were treated to the spectacle of a red R8 following me in a gleaming white one.

Like two thirds of the Italian Job, I snuck a look in the rear view mirror, which was full of an Audi R8 in a shade of red which evokes memories of great Ferraris.

But I hadn’t come here to admire, I’d got behind the Audi R8’s flat-bottomed steering wheel to see if Auto Trader says it’s worthy of the praise heaped upon it by the world’s motoring press.

And to answer that question simply; it is.

Lamborghini Miura

The Audi R8 is possibly one of the truly great supercars ever to hit the tarmac. As outrageously styled as the Ferrari Testarossa, and – dare I say it – the Lamborghini Miura. It could quite possibly be the supercar of a generation.

But what makes it so good?

Most supercar owners can provide lengthy lists of ‘quirks’, which range from flaky interior trim, to the unique way it needs to be started. Not so with the Audi R8.

It has the same build quality you’d expect from any one of its mass-produced saloons, estate or hatchbacks.

Naturally, anyone who’s spent any time with some of the company’s more run-of-the-mill models will immediately spot familiar indicator stalks and other switchgear, but its design still manages to make the occupants feel special.

But however good the Audi R8’s looks and construction might be, it’s built to do one thing – entertain.

Press the clutch, and turn the key, and the 4.2-litre V8 barks into life with a bassy thrum behind the seats. It’s quiet in the cabin, such is the quality of soundproofing, but it’s another story on the outside. Even in stationary traffic, it’s difficult not to be noticed.

Hook first gear through the Ferrari-style exposed metal gear gate and let the surprisingly-light clutch up and the R8 is a remarkably easy car to drive at low speeds.

View our Audi R8 road test slide show

The engine is wonderfully tractable; pulling cleanly in sixth gear from just 30mph. The steering is light and the visibility is very good, making it easy to use every day. In fact, apart from the stares from passers by and the pointing of camera phones, it’s easy to forget you’re driving a supercar.

Once the roads clear, the Audi R8 really comes alive. Its searing pace is mind-blowing, with its 414bhp and 317lb/ft of pulling power forcing its way to all four wheels.

0-124mph in 14.9 seconds

It’ll dispatch the benchmark 0-62mph marker in 4.6 seconds and 124mph in 14.9, before reaching a top speed of 187mph – unprecedented in a road-going Audi.

Accelerate hard, and first gear is engaged for a matter of seconds, second gear is a little longer, while third is easily capable of getting a speeding ticket on a motorway. The V8 thunder never really goes away when you’re pushing hard, but wind it back down and it’s as docile as an Audi A4.

It’s difficult to get anywhere near the limits of grip, and trying it on the road is almost certainly going to end up in an £80,000 fireball. The quattro system varies the amount of power it sends to the front and rear to avoid dangerous – and often unexpected – slides which mid-engined cars are famous for.

Its steering is direct and very responsive, although not too much to make the front end feel overly pointy and prone to darting from one direction to another.

There’s very little bodyroll through bends, thanks to the car’s width; and our test car was fitted with the Advanced Audi magnetic ride system which can instantly vary the ride from a more comfort-orientated drive to a more focused sports setup.

Naturally, this pace doesn’t come cheap. The standard car costs £80,000, with another £5,000 for the semi-automatic gearbox. Insurance is group 20, while emissions of 349g/km (325g/km for the auto) means it falls into the top tax band. And Audi quotes an average fuel consumption figure of 19.3mpg; a number which could half if the car is driven enthusiastically.

Daily driver

The Audi R8 is one of the few supercars which could make an excellent daily driver. There’s 100 litres of bootspace under the bonnet, and a shelf behind the seats and a host of storage areas make life easier. And it’s comfortable too, especially with the optional electrically-operated leather bucket seats fitted to our test car.

And the Audi R8 comes with a good level of equipment, including 19-inch alloys, an audio system with colour screen, which plays MP3 tracks from MMC or SD memory cards; electrically operated and heated door mirrors, retractable rear spoiler, leather trim, climate control, a trip computer and electric lumbar support.

Audi has also installed a comprehensive level of safety equipment, counting ABS, anti-slip regulation, driver, passenger and side airbags, electronic differential lock traction control, electronic stability programme and bright xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights as standard.

So is the Audi R8 worthy of the plaudits? Absolutely; with the R8, Audi has combined all the best parts of supercar ownership with none of the hassle to create one of the best drivers’ cars currently available.

Key Facts

Model tested: Audi R8 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro 6sp manual
On the road price: £79,075
Price range: £79,075 – £84,275
Date tested: October 2008
Road tester: Stuart Milne