The 2012 Audi R8 China Edition isn’t the only limited edition R8 Audi is offering Chinese car buyers (the gorgeous, Nordic gold, Audi R8 Limited Edition of just 30 cars comes to mind) but with just 80 cars produced they’ll surely sell out soon.
Never mind the fact that the vast majority of Chinese R8 owners will never test the limits of the R8’s 5.2-litre FSI V10 engine (386 kW or 518 bhp). This car was built to boost the owner’s status, and that’s something easily accomplished at any speed – or just standing still.
It’s nice to see foreign automakers resisting the urge to offer China’s consumers cars with Chinese characteristics: gauche jade inlays and dragons sewn into the upholstery in gold thread. A close look at the Audi R8 China Edition doesn’t register anything obtrusive as a matter of fact.
Even the body colors avoid pandering to the assumed tastes of the target demographic, which means no red or gold whatsoever. Instead, this very special R8 is decked out exclusively in Malibu blue with Suzuka grey sideblades or Suzuka grey with Malibu blue sideblades. A matte carbon rear spoiler and 19", 5 twin-spoke “Y” design wheels complete a very pretty picture.
According to the copy at the Audi China website, “Being rare is one thing, owing rarity is another.” Either that’s a glaring typo or a Freudian slip on Audi’s part – perhaps both – because also according to the copy, “the important thing is that if you own it.”
With customers dropping a cool 2.6 million yuan (US$421,925) on one of the 80 available 2012 Audi R8 China Edition supercars, you could at least hire a decent copyeditor. Psst, Audi, call me. (via Jing Daily and Audi China)
