The Audi R8 V10 was named the 2010 World Performance Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show Awards, the Academy Awards of the motoring world, earlier this month.  This is the second time Audi’s R8 has received the statuette for World Performance Car of the Year - the R8 V8 took this award in 2008.

The super-sporty Audi R8 has starred in numerous blockbuster movies, including the Iron Man series, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Joneses, 17 Again and Date Night.

The World Car Awards jurors observed that, “Audi has at long last satisfied our hunger for a street car that lives up to the excitement”.

Dane Fisher, General Manager of Audi of New Zealand, said that “the truly international nature of the World Car jury is evidence that Audi has got the performance car green light from car lovers around the world.  It’s great to know that we New Zealanders, who have made Audi our leading luxury brand  for more than three years, are on the same page as the global experts.

“This is the fifth year of the World Performance Car award,” added Fisher, “and the R8 has won it twice.  Whether you choose an R8 with a V8 or with a V10 engine, you get a global superstar.”

The annual World Car “Oscars” have become one of the world’s most prestigious, credible and significant programmes of its kind.

Nominees for the World Performance Car award are judged on merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal.  The World Car jurors hail from 25 countries throughout the world.

Since the awards began, Audi has won more awards than any other car manufacturer. The Audi R8 is the only vehicle to have won more than one award::

     2010 Audi R8 V10 World Performance Car of the Year
     2008 Audi R8 World Car Design of the Year
     2008 Audi R8 World Performance Car of the Year
     2007 Audi TT World Car Design of the Year
     2007 Audi RS 4 World Performance Car of the Year
     2005 Audi A6 World Car of the Year