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[extract] The Audi R8 Spyder won the MotorWeek 2011 Drivers' Choice Award for the

Yeap! 2009 has been dusted and we're in the presence of 2010, a year that holds much promise and continued success for some and for others, the continuing fight to stay in the black. And if you're wondering, LTA did release the sales figures of the various brands in Singapore last month. Besides the disheartening jump in the number of units from brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin and Bentley, the lesser Continental brands and the Koreans have also made good with the injection of all new products that boast not only good fittings but attractive and daring styling respectively. Audi, on the back of record sales last year spearheaded by it's R8 supercar will be introducing no less than five different models throughout this year, the MINI-challenging A1, A7, A8, Q5 Hybrid and the R8 Spyder. Probably the most anticipated of the lot by most of you guys, the R8 isn't on my list of the cars to watch in 2010. Why? The proportions on the car itself are questionable, the power delivery is sedate and diluted by various electronic equipment that keep you straight while driving and also helps you fall asleep at the wheel faster. Rather the A8 will be an interesting addition. Not only does it look almost the same as the last car from the side, the front and rear shots of the car don't seem too complimentary of the cars hefty size. The A1 is the other one. Poised to go head-on with MINI, I'm looking forward to seeing how it actually measures up to the MINI, primarily in the handling and the chassis section. Determined to have its turn in the spotlight, Volkswagen will be bringing in their Golf and Scirocco R cars, making its way into town within the first half and second half of the year respectively. The R32 which the Golf R replaces was a stonker of a car and the R is supposed to be much more fun at the wheel with less heft under the bonnet. With the Scirocco, VW's current line-up of 1.4 and 2.0 variants are wonderfully sprite engines but the suspension seems to have taken the hit of compromise, in an effort to not tear buyers between the Scirocco and the Golf models. Then the Korean camp is represented by Kia, introducing the Sorento after highly successful runs with the Forte and the Koup in the market last year. It's parent company Hyundai is also scheduled to release their all-new Sonata in March. Both cars are on my "to watch" list...they should do very well in this market. Next up the Opel Insignia. Not only does this baby look every bit as good as its press pictures suggest, but the two-litre turbocharged ecotec engine it's mated to will produce 220 bhp and 350 Nm of torque through a six-speeder to all four tyres! Not too shabby...another car that we'll see more of on our roads. Now that we're done with the everyday movers, let me get on with those of the supercar nature. Two highlights for me this year will be the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the three Reventon Roadsters. Both have reached legendary status's in the short time they've been revealed at the various motor shows and have become very sought after objects. The SLS AMG, despite not looking anything like the 300SL Gullwing it was meant to pay tribute to, looks nothing like the German company has made in recent times and with a 6.2-litre V8 under that long bonnet, is bound to take straight off into the hearts of the rich in Singapore.

There was always a group of people who thought the Audi R8 looked a little odd, disproportionate, and boring when put side by side with its cousin the Lamborghini Gallardo. It drives brilliantly, has a Lamborghini engine but those blokes still thought, nah.. its still just an Audi. I think Audi has silenced those critics with this one. The Audi R8 Spyder is simply gorgeous with a much better looking side profile without those 'awful' carbon fibre blades. Instead, they have been replaced by sharp slabs which cut into the Spyder's side with the air vents exposed, slightly reminiscent of the Lamborghini Gallardo. /center] Another problem with the R8 hardtop is that the engine's a little quiet when you are embraced by Audi's excellent insulation materials. Now though, you can fully enjoy the soundtrack of the Lamborghini-sourced 525bhp 5.2 litre V10. The soft top takes just 19 seconds to transform the Audi into a raging animal and even though the Spyder is 476 pounds heavier than the coupe, it still manages to hit 100km/h in 4 seconds. This car is mental! And it's not just all show on the exterior and no go when it comes to the interior. Audi say that the leather for the seats are coloured with pigments that reflect the infra-red components of sunlight which makes the seats 20 degrees Celsius cooler... With that kind of attention to detail, it can only be German.