Audi R8
Audi's first mid-engine production car trades heavily on its five-time Le Mans-winning namesake's race-breeding, and as such it bristles with high-tech. Its 414-horsepower V-8 sports direct-injection and dry-sump lubrication, the optional R-tronic transmission has paddle shifters, viscous-coupled quattro AWD distributes the torque judiciously, and magnetorheological shocks fine-tune damping on the fly. Venturi channels cut into the underbody conspire with a motorized wing to produce downforce for stability at the 185-mph top speed, and aluminum construction enables an 8.2-pound/horsepower weight-to-power ratio for a claimed 4.6-second sprint to 62 mph. Coolest option: full-LED front lighting.
TO SUM UP: German techno-cool makes this the un-Gallardo.
Infiniti G35 coupe
The Nissan luxury division's iconic coupe gets the same good updates as last year's all-new G35 sedan, a refreshed FM platform with improved body stiffness, new power steering with twin-orifice speed sensing, and a largely reworked 3.5-liter V-6 engine, now rated at 306 horsepower. It also has, like the sedan, all-new sheetmetal that doesn't look all-new. Changes are subtle, but when you look closely, you'll see a more curvaceous body. Also like the sedan, the coupe benefits immensely from a more refined interior.
TO SUM UP: Could be king of the sport-coupe hill, if not for that new 335i.
Lexus IS-F
The unstoppable force that is Toyota has much in store for the Lexus IS, including a coupe, a convertible, and the new F series, its answer to BMW's M. Lexus's new gasoline direct-injection 5.0-liter DOHC V-8 powers the 2008 IS-F to the tune of 390 horses, placing it in the next M3's neighborhood. Its requisite sport suspension and 18-inch wheels will make it a driver's car and help offset all that weight to a nose more accustomed to a 3.5-liter V-6.
TO SUM UP: Lexus, while still in search of its soul, goes after the M3.