The editors particularly liked the car's behind-the-seats engine placement, inspired by its closest corporate sibling, Lamborghini Gallardo, as well as the R8's 4.4 second 0-60 time, courtesy of the 420-horsepower dry-sump lubrication V8. A light but strong aluminum and magnesium frame is just as impressive; but not as impressive as the R8's sticker of only $109,000. "It won't put a supercar in every driveway," Popular Science concedes. But when compared to the similarly equipped likes of Ferrari and Bugatti -- typically costing $200,000 plus -- "it brings the dream just a little closer."

Other winners in the automotive category included the 2008 Honda Accord, 2008 BMW M3, Chevy Volt, and the 2008 Smart Fortwo. Pop Sci also gave prizes for automotive tech, selecting the two-mode hybrid propulsion system and Ford-Microsoft SYNC. Go here for a complete list of winners or learn more about the Audi R8.