Audi R8 - Super Car Launched in India

Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today launched its Audi R8, the exclusive, mid-engine super sports car with a high degree of day-to-day drivability. The stylish and progressive Audi R8 is priced at 1,17,00,000 INR (ex-showroom Delhi without C.S.T., transportation, etc.).

“The Audi R8 is not only a strong statement about the brand, but also about Audi’s direction for the future – to be the most successful premium brand by 2015. It embodies the philosophy of “Vorsprung durch Technik”. It will revolutionise the Indian automobile space and will offer an experience of a lifetime to discerning customers in the country,” said Mr. Benoit Tiers, Managing Director Audi India.

The much-awaited Audi high performance super sports car, the Audi R8 was officially unveiled at the splendid lawns of the German Embassy in New Delhi along with two Audi racing legends: Auto Union Type D and the Audi R8 Le Mans Prototype, both chosen for their link to ground-breaking technologies of their time. These cars were introduced to the public in a rare display, after which in a stunning presentation eight Audi R8’s moved in a convoy to the historic India Gate through streets of New Delhi.

“We decided to launch the Audi R8 in the Indian market based on the enthusiastic response received from our select customers. India is a very crucial market for Audi and we are very keen to expand our presence in the country through expansion of the dealership network and bringing in our international range of models,” added Mr. Tiers.

With its technical precision and superior performance, the Audi R8 took the lead in the most demanding automotive sports car segment from the moment it was launched. The Audi R8 4.2 V8-FSI is equipped with an engine displacement of 4,163 cc, a power output of 309 kW (420 hp) at 7,800 rpm and a maximum torque 430 Nm between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm. The Audi R8 can attain a top speed of 301 km/h with 0-100 km/h in impressive 4.6 seconds.

The super sports car is endowed with a drivetrain combination of quattro permanent all-wheel drive with manual six-speed transmission or six-speed R tronic and an all-aluminum Audi Space Frame body. Its perfection in quality and finish, only to be expected of an Audi product, place the Audi R8 in a formidable position worldwide.

The Audi R8 has distinctive exterior and interior styling that offers the feel of a luxurious sports car with exclusive equipment coupled with a wide variety of customized interior options.

The Audi R8 has won several awards in Germany and Europe, along with the double victory at the famous 2008 World Car of the Year awards, winning both the ‘World Performance Car” and “World Design Car of the Year’ awards.

The Audi R8 is available along with the Audi model range in India consisting of the new Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A8, Audi Q7 and Audi TT at twelve dealerships across the country: in Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Chennai, Kochi and Kolkata.

-- Grand launch event held at the exclusive environs of The German Embassy

-- Audi brings exclusive racing fever to India with the R8 Le Mans and Auto Union Type D race car

-- Audi R8: a pure super sports car and a high degree of day-to-day drivability

-- Audi R8: Winner of 2008 “World Performance Car” and the “World Car Design of the Year” awards

AUDI AG

AUDI AG sold a total of 964,151 cars in 2007 and thus achieved its twelfth consecutive record year. With revenue of €33,617 million and profit before tax of €2,915 million, the company attained its best figures ever. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). At the end of 2007, production of the Audi A6 started in Aurangabad, India. The company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide.

AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 57,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than €2 billion each year in order to sustain the company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan. Audi plans to significantly increase the number of models in its portfolio by 2015 to 40.

In 2007 Audi India, based in Mumbai, commenced its business activities. The Audi model range in India includes the Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A6, Audi A4 and Audi TT.