Elton John Helps Auction First U.S. Audi R8

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The first 420-horsepower 2008 Audi R8 bound for the United States will be auctioned off on February 24 at the 15th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation party to celebrate the Academy Awards. Bidding starts at $100,000 for the highly anticipated two-seater, with the winner set to take delivery in July — well in advance of the car's launch in the fall.

Audi of America has yet to announce pricing on the R8, but the company has noted on its Web site that the car is expected to retail between $130,000 and $150,000. The R8 is equipped with a 4.2-liter V8 and a six-speed manual transmission or R tronic sequential gearbox. It sprints from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and is equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive.

Bids for the car can be placed at eBay Live Auctions.

Last year, two Audi Q7s fetched a total of $280,000 at the Elton John event.

No word on which Elton John soundtrack will accompany the auction, but anything from Rare Masters would be appropriate.
Read Article

EL34 - 2/22/2007 12:09:10 PM

+1 Boost

Whenever I think of supercars like the R8 I always think of Reginald Kenneth Dwight (aka Elton John).

Lexus - 2/22/2007 3:49:02 PM

+1 Boost

I love the Audi R8, I think it very good looking and has outstanding performance. But for that kind of money I would buy the Lambo Gallardo.

Agent63 - 2/22/2007 4:14:56 PM

+1 Boost

In this case the R8 would get just as many stares as the Gallardo would. Why? because it's a fresh look it's a fresh car and if the V8 engine produces a great sound that's just icing on the cake. It has supercar looks so people will turn heads.

Lexus - 2/22/2007 3:49:26 PM

+1 Boost

But it for a good cause, so I guess it worth it than:)

S4cabriofoxone - 2/22/2007 4:57:31 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus, the Gallardo is a lot more money. It's about $170,000, compared to the R8's estimated $115,000. Just because someone can afford an R8 doesn't mean they can afford a car that's $50K+ more.

Lexus - 2/22/2007 5:11:07 PM

+1 Boost

S4cabriofoxone, I thought the Audi R8 starting price around $130-$150K? They both very good looking sportcar.

chewy - 2/22/2007 11:44:00 PM

+1 Boost

I don't know where that number came out. I think that is the estimated price of the winning bid and not how much the R8 will cost. The R8 should be in the low 100k range.

Actually, last year two Q7 went for 270,000 in the action, or more than double the retail price of the Q7. So I think this R8 will easily top 200,000 in this auction.

Soho - 2/23/2007 10:54:45 AM

+1 Boost

I believe Audi had stated their intention to keep the R8 pricing "close to or around" the $100,000 mark. So $130-150k seems way out of line. I agree with chewy that the above number may be indicative of the bidding potential.

M53R - 2/23/2007 7:36:07 AM

+2 Boost

Put your glasses on, or open your eyes....

Soho - 2/23/2007 10:51:03 AM

+2 Boost

Well, lets see. In one short paragraph, Ricemaster has insulted a car company, a car, a legend, a lifestyle, and tastes of gay people. Congratulation! That has to be a record even on this forum, no? Do we have a prize for Ricemaster? How about a nice Bamboo Steamer along with some Ginsu knives?

Lexus - 2/23/2007 12:53:42 AM

0 Boost

LOL:) I'm not saying anything....=)

S4cabriofoxone - 2/24/2007 6:40:38 PM

+1 Boost

I think RICEMASTER is an insecure homosexual.

Who's with me?

M53R - 2/25/2007 3:49:34 AM

+1 Boost

me! lol

Soho - 2/26/2007 1:21:40 PM

+1 Boost

now why you wanna go and insult gays?

;)