(Fri 21 Mar 08)

The Audi R8 has scored a double triumph in the World Car of the Year awards, winning both the Performance Car and Design categories.

The R8's success means that Audi has retained the WCOTY titles it won last year. The TT won the Design award in 2007, while the RS 4, which shares the R8's 414bhp 4.2-litre V8 engine, was voted top Performance Car.

Speaking of the Performance Car title, Audi of America's Executive Vice President Johan de Nysschen said, "This award is recognition for the superb work done by the engineers and designers who worked on the R8. It has immediately taken up a leadership position in the super sports car segment."

And on the subject of the Design award, he added, "Having won the World Car Design of the Year award last year with the new Audi TT, it is a real pleasure to make it two in a row with the Audi R8. Our designers surpassed themselves with our first super sports car, which is both a show-stopper and a traffic-stopper."

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