Audi R8 is slated for a November launch this year. Audi has already bagged 15 orders for its super luxurious sports model that would be launched later this year. The bookings for the model had started in June 2008. Audi R8 shall be imported from Germany as a completely built unit or CBU. It shall fall in a higher price segment owing to the high duty structure in India. However, the price of Rs. 1.3 crore has failed to deter the premium car segment buyers to make their bookings. Sports car lovers have been enthusiastic about the launch of the car.
The new model R8 shall not go through homologation or approval from authorities due to low volume of import. The car is sold globally and is partly handmade. This makes even the German car buyers to wait for the car for months after making their bookings. Till date, only two or three R8 are running on the Indian roads after personal imports. Audi R8 has 4-wheel drive with a 420 horse power engine and all aluminium space frame body.
Volkswagen and Audi are looking at strengthening their financing aspects. The group may tie up with Indian banks for financing their models in India. It currently has A8, Q7, A6 and TT in its product portfolio in India.
