Audi has officially announced the pricing for the new Audi 2008 R8. The new Audi 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.

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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(R) 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(R) 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(R), Bluetooth(R) phone prep, auto dimming exterior mirrors, and a storage package.

Stand alone options on the R8 include a 12-speaker, 465-watt Bang & Olufsen(R) 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.

“quattro” is a registered trademark of AUDI AG. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

The first Audi R8 sports car to be sold in the U.S. will be auctioned off at the 15th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation party to celebrate the Academy Awards. All proceeds will be donated to EJAF to support its work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This marks the second year in a row Audi has teamed up with the EJAF to auction off a vehicle during the party. Two Audi Q7 models sold for a combined $280,000 last year.

Bidding for the first Audi R8 will start at $100,000. Bids can be placed live by attendees at the viewing party, over the telephone, by proxy, or at anytime between now and the end of the auction at eBay Live Auctions (www.ebayliveauctions.com). The live auction is being conducted that evening by Jamie Niven, Vice Chairman of Sotheby’s and is being hosted online by Julian’s Auctions based in West Hollywood. The winning bidder will take delivery in July and have the distinction of owning the first R8 sports car in North America, well before the planned launch in fall of this year. Final pricing for the R8 has not been set for North America, but the comprehensively equipped car being auctioned is expected to retail between $130,000-$150,000 (U.S.).

Audi recently concluded an auction on eBay for a one-day test drive of the all-new R8. The winning bid was for $12,601, all of which is donated to EJAF. On February 24th, the winner and one guest will get to experience the abilities of the R8 on the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, then spend the rest of the day testing the R8 on public roads in the scenic Valley of Fire. They will then have the opportunity to attend the EJAF Academy Awards Viewing Party on February 25th.

The R8 is Audi’s first mid-engine sports car. It incorporates everything Audi knows about motorsport into a production vehicle. With a 420 hp 4.2-liter V8 engine and light weight Audi Space Frame (ASF(R)) technology, the R8 can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds. Power is delivered by Audi’s legendary quattro(R) all-wheel drive system through a six-speed manual transmission, or Audi’s new R tronic sequential gearbox. Even though the two- seat R8 is a highly capable sports car, it’s still an Audi. The passenger cabin is luxuriously appointed, spacious, quiet, and can even fit two golf bags behind the front seats. The R8 will be in dealerships starting in fall of 2007.