German Car Forum

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Inside Line has learned that the 2009 Audi R8 is sold out and that there is a waiting list of more than 18 months for the German automaker's performance flagship, according to Audi of America spokesman Christian Bokich. The 2009 Audi R8 is priced $3,500 higher than the outgoing model, Audi announced on Monday.

The 2009 Audi R8 Quattro manual starts at $113,700, including a $1,200 destination charge. The 2009 Audi R8 Quattro R tronic is priced at $122,700, including shipping. The destination charge on the Audi R8 increased by $200. Destination charges on other '09 Audi models increased from $775 to $825.

Bokich said that Audi produces 25 units per day of the hand-built R8. The auto industry typically uses a formula of 240 working days per year, which means approximately 6,000 R8s are built per year. "Worldwide demand is such that the R8 is sold out for 18-plus months," said Bokich on Wednesday. He added that customers don't seem to be upset that the '09 R8 is sold out. "Customers are less focused on the model year," he said.

The word about the increase in 2009 Audi R8 pricing was bundled in a larger press release on 2009 Audi pricing. Bokich said such models as the 2009 Audi A3 will see "marginal" price increases.

Pricing on the 2009 Audi TTS coupe and roadster, a BMW Z4-fighting version of the Audi TT with a 260-horsepower 2.0T engine and S tronic double-clutch transmission, will be released later this year. The TTS coupe and roadster arrive in showrooms in November. It is expected that TTS pricing will start in the mid-$40,000s, given that the 2009 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro S tronic premium plus model starts at $44,245, including shipping.

Audi's pricing announcement is noteworthy because it included pricing on such new variants as the 2009 A3 2.0T Quattro S tronic and the 2009 Audi TT 2.0T Quattro S tronic. The A3 2.0T Quattro S tronic starts at $31,275, including shipping. Previously the Quattro feature on the A3 was only available on V6-engine models. The 2009 Audi TT 2.0T Quattro S tronic starts at $40,075, including shipping. Bokich pointed out that the TT previously had Quattro only on V6 models.

What this means to you: The price increase on the '09 Audi R8 is moot, since you can't get your hands on one anyway.
edmunds

Not surprising considering how limited the production and U.S. supply is.

M

Wow, US gets TTS in November? I saw one white TTS Roadster yesterday, it looks really nice and powerful, which I can't say for the 'normal' TT which looks a bit too high and a bit too short. I was nicely surprised!

I work for Mercedes and I love the R8. Mercedes could take a lesson from Audi. Mid or rear engine performance car.

At $113k this car is priced very well. Someone brought one by the dealership. It is gorgeous. Nice job Audi.

Every once in a while, a revolution in design and engineering comes along that resets the worlds expectations. It raises the bar to an unexpected new height and makes all the other designs and manufacturers look completely out of touch and outdated.
Audi has done it three times now - with the 5000, the Quatro, and now the R8. I'm not ready to give up my Porsche - but now it's for familiarity, not superiority. The R8 is clearly the new benchmark. And the car seems like it's got a lot of headroom - V10, TDI12, spider.
No wonder they're sold out. Audi is due every accolade they receive.

Audi could of upped the cost by $20,000 and still been sold out. The R8 could possibly be the best deal for the cost I've ever seen along with the GT-R.

Man, if I had the €€€, I would get one too!

Although it's a great car it's a shame that it has fallen victim for the wrath of limited supply. The asking price is the same as the 911 GT3 but after a few options like the S-tronic and others, plus the dealer's hefty markup the prices I've seen are 23-40%. In the US it's even worse, there the R8 reaches the price of an LP560 which is ridiculous for an Audi since the car will not retain it's value like a true exotic.

Good point, but something tells me the average R8 owner in the US isn't overly concerned with re-sale value. Sh!t the demand for the R8 is so great it might make you a pretty penny for years to come!