Audi R8 Exclusive Selection Edition: Only Fifty Made, Only For U.S.

Fresh off the redesign of the 2013 R8 and the introduction of the new R8 V10 plus model, Audi has announced they will produce fifty examples of the R8 Exclusive Selection Edition – available right now, for U.S. customers only.

It’s certainly exclusive, but what’s so special about another R8 version? Well, you can forget about more power; both the V8 and V10 versions make exactly the same horsepower and torque as their non-Exclusive Selection Edition brothers. Nothing to shake a stick at, mind you – 430 hp and 316 lb.-ft for the V8 and 525 hp and 391 lb.-ft for the V10 – but not enough to make you cut lunch short to open your wallet, either.

No, the R8 Exclusive Selection Edition models’ strength is in their finish. The R8 V8 ESE features a matte Daytona Gray paint scheme with carbon fiber elements all around, along with R8 GT tail lamps and unique contrasting interior. Crimson Red elements line the cabin and a Bang & Olufsen sound system are standard. The R8 V8 ESE comes with a six-speed manual transmission ($137,700) or the automatic R tronic ($146,800).

Naturally, the R8 V10 ESE is not to be outdone. Draped in Ibis white, it makes a strong presence with black sideblade and splitters, plus the same R8 GT tail lamps and 19” bi-color e-tron wheels. Inside, heavy use of carbon fiber accents the Alabaster White stitching and a contoured steering wheel. You can drop in and have one of your own with the six-speed ($161,500) or the R tronic ($170,600).

Audi will produce just twenty of the R8 V8 ESE and just thirty of the R8 V10 ESE, so if you have the means and the desire, act now. They are, after all, exclusive.

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Audi R8 - Official Website