Named to honor the Audi racecar that won at Le Mans five times, the 2009 Audi R8 has been re-vamped for the new model year, as a direct competitor of the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Ferrari F430.

In addition to its ultra-light aluminum body, the exterior of the Audi R8 features the brand’s signature trapezoidal grille, and also boasts distinctive side-blade air intakes located behind the doors, which are no mere decorations, but actually do route air to the engine. Additional exterior details include a power-extendable rear spoiler designed to enhance downforce when travelling at high speeds, and rectangular LED tail lights.

Other standard features include quad exhaust pipes, a transparent rear canopy that allows the engine to be viewed, and nineteen-inch alloy wheels, while LED head lights and a carbon fiber sideblade are optional.

Inside the 2009 Audi R8′s two-seat cabin the sport seats come with a choice of just leather, or a combination of leather and Alcantara fabric. Standard amenities include a six-CD changer, a Bluetooth interface for hands-free cell phone usage, a Homelink garage-door opener, and a flat-bottom steering wheel, meant to make it easier to get in and out of the driver’s seat. Also available, but optional, are Audi’s MMI (multi-media interface) system, which controls interior settings via buttons and a knob on the centered on the dash. Available options include a Bang & Olufsen audio system, a rearview camera, and carbon fiber trim for both the interior and the engine compartment. In addition, Audi says there’s room for two golf bags behind the seats.

It’s the engine, of course, that most Audi shoppers care about, and in the 2009 Audi R8, you’ll find a 4.2-liter, 420-horsepower V-8 engine that provides 317 pounds-feet of torque, and will accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds.  The engine is mated to Audi’s six-speed manual transmission, and comes with their Quattro all-wheel drive system, though there’s also an optional R-tronic sequential manual transmission (with an automatic mode) available as an upgrade. The R-tronic can be controlled by paddles or a console lever.

The R8 also sports an adaptive four-wheel-independent suspension system that can pass an electrical charge through the shock’s fluid in order to instantly alter its damping properties. There are two driver-selectable modes, one designed for performance, the other for comfort.

Standard safety features of the 2009 Audi R8 include knee-airbags seat-mounted side-impact airbags, as well as a four-wheel-disc antilock braking system with traction control, and an electronic stability system.

EPA fuel efficiency ratings for the 2009 Audi R8 are 12-13 mpg in the city, and 18-19 mpg on open highway. The starting MSRP is $114,200.