One to Buy: ex-Audi AG 30,000km Brilliant Red 2012 Audi Type 42 R8 4.2 V8
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Having won five editions of the Le Mans 24 Hours with its LMP-class R8 between 2000 and 2005, Audi decided to adopt the R8 moniker for its new mid-engined supercar launched at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006.
Although the Type 42 R8 catapulted Audi into unchartered territory, the move to produce an all out two-seat sports car actually seemed a no brainer for the German marque: in addition to its recent Le Mans success, the firm’s revered RS line had familiarised the public with high performance Audis and, following the acquisition of Automobili Lamborghini a few years back, there was a ready supply of existing componentry to work with.
Production of the first generation R8 ran from 2007 to 2015 and, with a little under 29,000 units sold, the Type 42 proved a remarkable success.
Offered with a choice of a 4.2-litre V8 or 5.2-litre V10 engines, it could be ordered in Coupe or Spider trim. A traditional six-speed manual gearbox was fitted as standard but an F1-style R-Tronic paddle shift transmission was available via the extensive options list.
With both engines fitted to the R8 having developed far more power than can realistically be used on the road, our favourite iteration of the Type 42 here at Supercar Nostalgia is the lightest iteration produced: the base V8 with six-speed manual ‘box.
And currently on offer at the Springbok Sportwagen showroom in Isernhagen, Germany, is a particularly interesting collector-grade example of just such a machine.
First registered to Audi AG on August 14th 2012 as one of the first face-lifted 2013 model year R8s, this car was configured in the rarely seen combination of Brilliant Red with Black upholstery. Optional extras added at the time of manufacture included the expensive carbon ceramic brake upgrade, sports seats and a reversing camera.
The R8 was retained by Audi until 2015 at which point it passed to a private buyer who has retained it ever since. The car, which is currently showing a little over 30,000km, has been maintained without regard to expense and is presented in superb, totally original condition throughout.
