Distinctive design features and a high level of standard equipment for new limited run version of acclaimed 430PS, 187mph sports car

• R8 V8 Limited Edition available to order from July in coupe form only and with either manual or R tronic automated manual transmission priced from £93,935 OTR –  first UK deliveries in October
• Marked out externally by R8 GT-inspired titanium-look alloy wheels and red brake callipers, and inside by trim detailing in crimson red
• Exclusive titanium effect paint finish and carbon package options
• Standard equipment includes Audi magnetic ride, satellite navigation, the Audi Music Interface (AMI), interior light package, Bang and Olufsen sound system and Bluetooth mobile phone preparation with integrated seat-belt microphones.
• R8 V8 Limited Edition 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, 187mph top speed, 21.2mpg (R tronic), CO2 310g/km (R tronic)

A stunning new titanium-effect paintwork option and enhanced standard equipment will mark out  the new R8 V8 Limited Edition, which becomes available to order next month priced from £93,935 OTR. Created in honour of the tenth victory for Audi in this month’s gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans marathon race, which was won first in 2000 by the R8 sports prototype, the new feature-rich special edition road car is based on the hugely successful R8 V8 Coupe. It will be reserved solely for UK R8 customers, and with just 100 examples currently scheduled for production it will offer even greater exclusivity.

Titanium finish 19-inch ‘5-arm double-spoke Y design’ alloy wheels inspired by the R8 GT Coupe, and embellished by red brake callipers, will be the key differentiating feature of the exterior of the R8 Limited Edition in its standard form. All normally optional metallic and pearl effect paint options will also be included in the Limited Edition price, but for maximum visual drama customers will be able to specify a striking Titanium Metallic paint finish, which will be exclusive to this model, at extra cost.

Over and above the standard R8 V8 Coupe specification, the Limited Edition model includes satellite navigation, the Audi Music Interface (AMI), an interior light package and a  premium Bang and Olufsen sound system, as well as mobile phone preparation via a Bluetooth interface with integrated seat-belt microphones.

Standard Audi magnetic ride

The much praised Audi magnetic ride adaptive suspension system also makes a special appearance as standard equipment in the Limited Edition. Using sensors to monitor road conditions, it adjusts the damping effect to suit them by varying a magnetic charge which passes through a fluid-based shock absorber. Mated to the ultra-lightweight aluminium and magnesium Audi Space Frame (ASF) and the advanced suspension bolstered by quattro permanent all-wheel-drive technology, the system creates the optimum conditions in which the mid-mounted 430PS V8 FSI engine can give its very best.

As it revs freely to its 8,250rpm limit, the directly injected 4.2-litre engine dispenses with the zero to 62mph sprint in 4.6 seconds in both manual and R tronic automated manual versions of the R8 V8 Limited Edition. Autobahn-permitting, it can then power on to a 187mph top speed.

On the inside, the Limited Edition is marked out by crimson red accents to the sides of its Black Fine Nappa Leather-upholstered seats and headrests, which also feature red contrast stitching. The design theme is continued with red stitching on the flat bottomed, leather-covered multi-function steering wheel and instrument cowl and by a striking crimson red leather finish for the monoposto. To complete the look, the knee pads and passenger door handle are also finished in red leather, and the floor mats have a red surround and feature the R8 logo in silver. The sporting character is further underlined by stainless steel pedals and illuminated door sills with bright aluminium inserts carrying the R8 logo.

For even greater visual distinction, the R8 V8 Limited Edition is also available with an optional Carbon Package, which adds carbon sigma sideblades, door mirrors, monoposto, inlays and door sill trims. Perhaps most impressively, the racing-inspired material also frames the illuminated engine bay, giving even greater prominence to the potent V8 that is clearly visible through the rear window.

In common with all R8 models, the R8 Limited Edition also includes one special standard feature that isn’t so immediately apparent – a bespoke R8 Driving Experience at Silverstone Circuit which will enable owners to fully acquaint themselves with the dynamic characteristics of the R8 in controlled conditions.

Annual White Tie and Tiara Ball to auction unique ‘chrome’ version of celebrated 194mph open-top sports car

Guests at this year’s White Tie and Tiara Ball, which as always takes place at the home of Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish, will need to empty their jewellery boxes to avoid being outshone by the very special R8 sports car donated by Audi for the star-studded event. A dazzling and unique mirror-like chromed finish has been applied to the 194mph open-top sports car especially for the occasion – which takes place on Thursday June 23^rd – to attract the highest possible bids in the auction that raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) annually.

“Sir Elton John’s fundraising ball really is a golden ticket event that is as glamorous as it is hugely effective in fundraising terms,” commented Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK.  “We are delighted, and enormously proud, to support it for a ninth year with the donation of what is arguably our most fittingly glamorous model,” he added.

The R8 Spyder features a fully-automatic lightweight fabric hood that adds wind-in-hair intensity to the already extreme driving experience delivered by the lightweight aluminium quattro-equipped super car. The donated model, combining the exceptional ten-cylinder, 525PS petrol engine with manual transmission and normally priced at £117,710 OTR, can top 194mph and blast to 62mph from rest in just 4.1 seconds.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was established in 1993, and is amongst the 10 largest AIDS grant-making organizations in the world, currently managing over £14 million in programmes across 15 countries supporting thousands of men, women and children with life-saving medication, as well as information, nutrition, education, shelter and support.  The White Tie & Tiara Ball, now in its 13th year, is the EJAF’s foremost fundraising event, and has been supported by Audi with special auction lots for the past eight years.

Audi sports cars generate 620K in annual White Tie & Tiara Ball auction

The Audi R8 Spyder proved such an enticement to bidders last night at the White Tie & Tiara auction in aid of the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) that Audi UK submitted a second car to go under the hammer, helping to contribute £620,000 to the charitable organisation.

A striking ‘chrome-finish’ version of the 194mph soft-top sports car was initially donated, and was sold for £250,000, but interest was so strong that a second example was provided by Audi UK. This too attracted a high value bid,  and was then generously submitted a second time for auction, taking the final total raised by the two cars to £620,000.

The auction takes places during the annual White Tie & Tiara Ball, which is always held at the home of Sir Elton John and David Furnish. Each year it raises millions of pounds for EJAF, which currently manages over £14 million in programmes across 15 countries supporting thousands of men, women and children with life-saving medication, as well as information, nutrition, education, shelter and support.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been instrumental in raising such a magnificent sum for Sir Elton’s charity,” commented Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK.  “We couldn’t, of course, have done so without the incredible generosity of Sir Elton’s guests, to whom we owe an enormous vote of thanks” he added.