Genuine, mid-engine exotics don't tend to wear German badges. Yes, there have been a few exceptions over the years but they rarely received the acclaim of their Italian counterparts. Here's the car that broke the mould, the Audi R8. Here was proof that you could buy a car with the charisma and presence of a Lamborghini and the engineering of, well, an Audi and, with V10 power, the performance to match. Based on the Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car, the R8 first appeared at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show, however, it was not officially launched until the Paris Auto Show some three years later in 2006.

The R8 is a two-seat, mid-engine supercar positioned as Audi’s flagship model (a title it still holds today). At launch it was fitted with the 420bhp, 4.2-litre FSI V8 and a couple of years later the car became available with the 5.2-litre FSI V10 from Lamborghini's Gallardo which offered 525bhp when fitted to the R8. Both used Audi’s legendary Quattro four-wheel drive system which had been honed through decades of motorsport. The car's  cutting-edge design and performance to match generated much respect in the motoring press and confirmed that the R8 was worthy of a place in the supercar arena, along with the likes of Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren. A mild facelift in 2012 added a few cosmetic tweaks, LED lights and marked the arrival of the new dual-clutch, 7-speed S-tronic gearbox.

Offered here is first-generation (Type 42), post-facelift, 5.2-litre V10-engined R8 that's been with its one owner from new and has covered just 419 miles in that period. It's finished in Estoril Blue Crystal Effect with fine black Nappa leather detailed with red stitching and was ordered with the 'Black' styling package, a CD player and 19’’ 5-arm double-spoke alloy wheels with a high gloss finish. Purchased new by our vendor from Audi Leeds, it has formed part of a very small exclusive collection alongside two low-mileage Ferraris and obviously used very sparingly during his eight years of ownership. The first MOT in May 2017 records just 302 miles.

Totally immaculate and in a stunning colour combination, this is the closest you can get to a brand new R8 and your early inspection is welcomed and encouraged to appreciate the sheer quality of this desirable Audi.