Audi Releases 2008 R8 Pricing

Audi of America, LLC announced today pricing for the all-new 2008 R8 sports car. The R8 with a six-speed manual transmission will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $109,000 when it launches this fall in the United States. Models equipped with the six-speed R tronic automatic gearbox will start at $118,000.

The R8 is the first mid-engine sports car Audi has ever produced. With a 420 hp V8 4.2L FSI engine and rear-biased quattro® all-wheel drive system, the R8 has the performance capabilities unlike any Audi before it. With a zero to 60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph, the R8 is the fastest Audi ever produced. The lightweight aluminum frame and body and 44:56 front-to-rear weight distribution give the R8 tremendous handling capabilities, with the balance expected of a mid-engine sports car.

Standard luxury features include Audi magnetic ride, automatic bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and LED engine compartment lighting. 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, power and heated leather/Alcantara sport seats, cruise control, Sirius® satellite radio, and nine-speaker audio system. An optional Convenience Package includes Audi parking system advanced with rearview camera, Audi hill hold assist, a six-disc CD changer, HomeLink®, Bluetooth® phone prep, auto dimming exterior mirrors, and a storage package.

Stand alone options on the R8 include a 12-speaker, 465-watt Bang & Olufsen® sound system, Alcantara headliner, Audi navigation plus, an upgraded Leather Package, and Enhanced Leather Package which includes a leather covered dash and interior trim pieces, metallic/pearl effect paint, carbon fiber sideblades, body color sideblades, and the previously mentioned R tronic automatic gearbox. These options allow R8 owners to personalize their sports car to make it an even more exclusive vehicle than it is right from the hand-assembly plant in Neckarsulm, Germany.

Audi’s history in America dates to 1969, when the brand was first introduced to the U.S. market. Today, a network of over 260 Audi dealers currently offers a line of premium vehicles that include the Audi A3 compact; the sporty A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high performance S4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high-revving RS 4 sports sedan; the design-leading A6 sedan and Avant; the all-new Audi Q7 performance SUV; and the all-aluminum Audi A8; and the new V10-powered S6 and S8 performance sedans.

GTR35 - 3/28/2007 2:49:51 PM

-1 Boost

I still think it's a great car but I never expected the price to be SOOO high; especially now that it only achieves a 44:56 front-to-rear weight distribution.

AlexTx - 3/28/2007 2:54:21 PM

-1 Boost

That is pretty cheap actually when you look at the engineering of the car and what it offers!!

Heyhuub - 3/28/2007 4:15:47 PM

+1 Boost

Mid engined cars always have that kind off weight distribution.

AlexTx - 3/28/2007 5:20:13 PM

+1 Boost

Commonsense: of course it is...
Seeing that the RS4 is as quick as the M6 at the track, just think what the R8 will do!
You will see a whole lot more M6s than R8s on the road.
R8 will have a whole lot more exclusivity!

IamEvilHomer - 3/28/2007 6:07:46 PM

+2 Boost

they told us to expect 130 k 6 months ago and if you load every option is is 130k right on the money

IamEvilHomer - 3/28/2007 6:47:45 PM

+1 Boost

GTR why would you want everyone to see such a stupid comment? I guess they don't know your real name so it will not matter.

Now I am waiting for Logical to say that is a lot of money for a rebaged VW

GTR35 - 3/28/2007 9:16:10 PM

-2 Boost

That's alot of fricken money for a rebadged VW-there I said it. I'm gonna enjoy the deboosting

mitchatlexusofmarin - 3/30/2007 12:33:34 AM

0 Boost

I would kill for this car.

jmrA480 - 3/31/2007 3:58:52 PM

+1 Boost

what VW did they actually rebadge? your an idiot

danman - 3/28/2007 3:09:52 PM

+6 Boost

I think it is a great competitor against de Porsche 911 Turbo

Threepoint1415926 - 3/28/2007 7:33:12 PM

+1 Boost

It's just inching up to the Turbo in price... I think that's fair competition rather than the C4S it was tested against a bit ago.

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 3:26:47 PM

0 Boost

yes

SupraNeverBack - 3/28/2007 3:36:49 PM

-2 Boost

Why nobody complains about R8's 6 speed auto?

AlexTx - 3/28/2007 3:40:04 PM

+1 Boost

it's actually pretty incredible, but I would still opt for the Manual.

jmrA480 - 3/28/2007 5:06:28 PM

+4 Boost

why would they, at least people have an option to get a manual if they want, and the R tronic is not a normal auto gear box, if its good enough for the lambo, it cant be bad

enthusiastx11 - 3/28/2007 8:42:21 PM

+3 Boost

why complain, you don't have to get it.
get the manual!

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 3:27:09 PM

+1 Boost

why would they ?

david999 - 3/28/2007 4:06:13 PM

+5 Boost

Audi has a winner with this car, even at that price.

SixxFive - 3/28/2007 4:07:03 PM

+1 Boost

Nice car but I prefer the iconic 911.

answer - 3/28/2007 4:08:46 PM

+2 Boost

Price is very fair for what you get.

AMGC55 - 3/28/2007 4:51:21 PM

+2 Boost

prob going to be a 20k$ dealer markup

IamEvilHomer - 3/28/2007 6:09:39 PM

+1 Boost

that is not a problem for the people that will be buying it

aarononymous - 3/28/2007 6:31:44 PM

-1 Boost

I thought Audi/VW didn't allow this? RS4 guys???

Anthony - 3/28/2007 5:13:32 PM

+3 Boost

A bargain considering it's fundamentally a Lambo Gallardo.

IamEvilHomer - 3/28/2007 6:10:08 PM

0 Boost

better in a lot of ways

webguy - 3/28/2007 6:33:33 PM

-1 Boost

When you’re looking at an A4, I understand why there’s a checkbox for things like navigation, and premium sound system… because $10K or even $2K difference means a lot to people in this price range… but when you’re buying a $100K two seater that’s likely to be a second car, driven only on Sundays when the weather’s nice, why is "upgraded leather" and a "premium sound" still an option? For that money, it BETTER have the finest leather and best sound system, bar none. The only options should be colors, wheels, and style tailoring... maybe a sport option to include ceramic brakes and such ala Porsche. As far as I’m concerned the price of this car starts at $118,000.

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 2:30:41 AM

0 Boost

that is diffrent leather options
some people don't like leather dash etc

Porsche and others have several leather upgrades
Leather upgrade is like ordering the fries with the hamburger. It is a high gross option

webguy - 3/29/2007 11:40:02 AM

+1 Boost

Maybe it’s the wording… but I see an “upgraded” leather package and an “enhanced” leather package. The latter being the one that lines the dash. I know it’s done for markup reasons and everyone does it, like selling monster cables for your new home theater. It just seems so sheisty when it’s this level of car.

supermoto - 3/29/2007 2:27:35 PM

+1 Boost

I hear your point, but a lot of lamborghinis and ferraris have many tens of thousands more in options than that!

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 3:17:54 PM

0 Boost

webguy- yes i keep spending money on the Monster Cables" damn cables but they look so cool

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 3:27:36 PM

0 Boost

webguy- yes i keep spending money on the Monster Cables" damn cables but they look so cool

rom64 - 3/28/2007 7:45:02 PM

0 Boost

IMO it is a fairly priced exotic. Never thought fairly priced and exotics would be in the same sentence. Unfortunately, with the R8 being at this price range and its level of performance, its at the level of 911 GT3 as its competitor. The 911 GT3 is the fairest of all fair comparisons for the R8. Despite that it has RWD, I'd rather purchase a 911 GT3 because it is a Porsche and because it is a better track performer.

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 2:31:44 AM

0 Boost

rom yes the GT3 is a better track car but the R8 is a better daily driver

chewy - 3/28/2007 8:25:41 PM

+2 Boost

Can't wait until I see one. Originally the price was to be released later so maybe those that have deposits on the R8 will get it sooner.

enthusiastx11 - 3/28/2007 8:43:48 PM

0 Boost

it definitely distinctive, but i'd still opt for the 911 4S as well.

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 3:28:14 PM

+1 Boost

both would be nice in the garage

BMW740Z4 - 3/28/2007 10:23:28 PM

-2 Boost

Wow, a $109K V-dub - what will they think of next. This car will probably do even better than the Pheaton! - watch out BMW and MB! I know the sarcasim in rank, but can't help it.

But seriously, let's think about this. A new 911 4S or slightly used DB9 instead? If you can't make that decision...

chewy - 3/28/2007 11:49:23 PM

+3 Boost

How about getting a more practical Lamborghini Gallardo. Plus the R8 has much more performance than the 911 4s, superior design and your local grandpa doesn't drive one.

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 2:33:23 AM

+1 Boost

BMW740z4- looser
now look what you made me say

driver1313 - 3/29/2007 10:13:26 AM

+2 Boost

Wow, another VW comment, so Porsche owns VW so its a porsche? maybe its a Boxster chassis? or is it a Lamborghini? probably a Golf chassis just turned around running backwards? oh and have fun in your Astin martin(Which is owned by Ford) so it must be on a F-150 platform......keep you comments to yourself dumb ass!

AlexTx - 3/29/2007 1:32:33 PM

+1 Boost

It will run circles on the Aston at the track!

EL34 - 3/28/2007 11:51:30 PM

0 Boost

I love this Audi.

The R8 has already reserved it's space in any automobile museum.

Agent63 - 3/29/2007 8:06:29 AM

+2 Boost

It is very competitively priced and it looks great!

iown1 - 3/29/2007 8:37:52 AM

+2 Boost

A while back I optioned out a C4s. It came to $133,000.00. Judging by the reviews I think Audi priced this right on the money. Great preformance, unique and a much better daily driver than the Porsche. Let's face it, the people you see driving these types of cars aren't going to track them. Even if they did I'm sure the R8 would more than hold its own. As for the rebadged VW comments...which VW have they rebadged exactlly?

JUGNU - 3/29/2007 8:44:33 AM

+2 Boost

I asked an Audi dealer in Dubai about the R8 availability and Pricing and this is what he said.

“Audi is bringing 750 a year to the UK but Order books are already full until 2009”.

“Launch date for the Middle East has not been confirmed, but we expect R8 could reach our shores by late-2007(Nov or Dec).”

“We have started taking orders now.”

“Price: Dirham 545K or equivalent USD145K.”

BTW Ground-breaking. Unmistakable design.

I'll take it over the 911 but AM V8 Vantage, I am not sure.

JUGNU

alfistiDK - 3/29/2007 9:36:35 AM

+1 Boost

GTR35: Your a fucking idiot...so no matter if Audi wins Le mans 200 times in a row and do this and that it will ALWAYs be a rebadged VW ? So ferrari is a rebadged Fiat or alfa to perhaps ?`...idiot repect what they DO and have done.

MB3494 - 3/29/2007 11:29:21 AM

0 Boost

I just bought a C4S cause i wasnt going to wait for this....but id rather have a porsche than an audi....

BMW4me4ever - 3/29/2007 12:09:19 PM

0 Boost

I like the R8, but it is a little steep for a V8 in this car. There is going to be a v10 and guessing that will be priced at 130k to 150k which is alot. I would rather get a aston martin in the price range or the porsche gt3 or turbo. I think they are about 10k too high.

supermoto - 3/29/2007 2:32:41 PM

+3 Boost

I think I would go with the 911 turbo also. But any of these cars would pwn a V8 Vantage. Of course none has that AM style.

Keep in mind that this is the first sportscar offering from Audi. It's competing agains a 911 which has been continually improved for 40 years. The fact that the R8 is close to or better than a 911 is a stunning achievement. Just wait till the V10 and the next version of the R8, then we will really see who is on top.

IamEvilHomer - 3/29/2007 3:25:44 PM

+2 Boost

BMw4bm if you price out a V6 911 C4S the car can easily be 130k and if you load up with every option the R8 is is under 130k
if you compare the engine size and that is all that matters go buy a Ford because you will never get it.

BMW4me4ever - 3/29/2007 5:04:25 PM

+3 Boost

Iamevil ... I am not comaring the engine size at all. I stated that the R8 is more than what I expected to ensure Audi having a homerun with this car. I like the R8 and find the technology and car very interesting. For me, at 120k for this car is a bit too much. Do I think this car is on par with the Porsche Turbo or GT3, no. The R8 is a awesome machine but not for $120k+. For that money, I would rather spend a little more and get something more rare and exotic like the DB9 or the AMV8, Lambo or hold out for a pre-owned late model 575 ferrari ... I can afford to buy the car, just not spending that much money on a AUDI

AUDIMAN4 - 3/30/2007 7:28:01 AM

+1 Boost

Just as I thought it would be priced. This is a serious piece of machinery. My local dealer in Dallas (which isn't even a large market for Audi) is reporting that all of the R8's they got were pre-sold a couple of months ago.

This car is at the forefront of Audi's revival plan for the US market.

Matthew1 - 3/31/2007 11:04:34 PM

+1 Boost

You're paying for what the car is and can achieve, not the badge.

This is re-badged Lamborghini Gallardo, so from that perspective, it is a bargain.

Last time I heard an intelligent comment from you was like, never.

magicmtndan - 3/31/2007 8:37:27 AM

+1 Boost

It's a great first effort for Audi. But 410 HP and AWD for $110,000 isn't enough in my opinion. Like one of the car magazines said, they should have a switch to turn off AWD (and go with RWD). It's a great looking car inside and out but performance-wise I'd take the Porsche Turbo over it and the best of the bunch for the same price as the R8 is the Porsche GT3 with 400+ normally aspirated HP.