I was fortunate enough to have a new Audi R8 loaned to me for an extended roadtrip this past weekend from Miami to Key West. I am offering few impressions (just my opinions) after spending some time with the car. First, I believe the car does look better in person than in photos. The front and back are beautiful and very modern in design. The midsection is a little bulky for my taste (much like the Veyron). The view of the engine is nice under the glass hatch, but I was disappointed that the LED lights to illuminate it only seemed to light as a function of the entry/exit safety illumination. The car has a deep throaty exhaust note which sounds like a bigger engine. The car had the Rtronic transmission. It worked great when shifting it, however when placed in full automatic mode it lurched and lagged with each shift at low speeds to the extent that people looked at you like you didnt know how to drive a manual transmission. The fit and finish of the interior is excellent. A few of the ergonomics are off. The tops of the gauges were blocked by the top of the steering wheel. The windshield header is so low that you have to bend forward to see stop lights and there are huge blindspots in the rear c pillars. The "gadgetry" in the car is impressive. The park assist (with proximity sensors front and rear, and a rearview camera that superimposes an image of your projected path depending on the angle of the steering wheel) was a blessing in parking the car in tight spots. The only trunk was in front. It was fairly deep, but very narrow. I dont believe you would be able to fit more than one carry one sized piece of luggage in the car (one backpack filled it up). The compartment also heated up everything placed in it, so plan on defrosting your groceries on the way home. The car attracted huge amounts of attention. I have had people take photos of my NSX at stop lights, but have never had people run out into traffic to knock on the window to ask me to pull over for a better look and quick photo session. This may be an effect that the car is a new model that people are not yet too familiar with and for many its probably their first sighting.