AJAX, ONTARIO – Audi Canada captured the triple crown of Canadian automotive awards with the all new R8 mid-engined sports car, according to the Web site www.ottawacitizen.com.

At the opening press conference of the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, the R8 was presented the 2008 "Canadian Car of the Year" award by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The Audi R8 was evaluated against a long list of discerning criteria amidst a group of strong eligible competitors. The Audi R8 beat 11 other "best new" category winners, announced December 4th, to secure the prestigious Canadian Car of the Year honors.

The new Audi R8 was also declared the winner of AJAC's "Best New Design" award for 2008. In addition, Canada's leading automotive writers and editors also selected the Audi R8 for the rarely presented AJAC "Most Coveted Vehicle" award.

The AJAC Canadian Car of the Year competition gathers more than 60 prominent Canadian automotive journalists in Niagara-on-the-Lake for several days in October for the annual "TestFest" event. This program has received praise from consumers because the evaluation and voting processes are carried out in a professional, fair and, serious manner, according to www.ottawacitizen.com.

The participating journalists have the opportunity to test drive all the entries back to back in identical conditions. An extensive list of important criteria is assessed by the journalists and all active participants vote for their individual choice as car of the year.