• Tom Kristensen and Jacky Ickx at world debut in Paris
  • Six-time Le Mans winner Ickx is new Audi representative
  • Spectacular sports car with motorsport genes

How close and intensive the link between production cars and motorsport is at Audi was proved by the presentation of the Audi R8 prior to the official opening of the Salon d`Automobile in Paris: factory driver Tom Kristensen and Jacky Ickx, who between them clinched a total of 13 victories in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, presented the new spectacular sports car together with Audi Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn. The launch of the brand’s sporty spearhead marks Audi’s revival of the Audi R8, the five-time winner of Le Mans, now, three years after the unveiling of the Le Mans quattro concept car.

“The R8 is a thorough-bred sports car with the genes of a true racer. I’ve been able to take it out for a test drive and am impressed with its performance,“ said Jacky Ickx in front of a group of journalists, guests and members of the ACO board. For the six-time Le Mans winner, the Audi R8’s world debut also marked the first public appearance as Audi’s new representative. Before, Tom Kristensen, who beat Ickx with a track record of seven victories in the French endurance classic, had driven the Audi R10 TDI onto the stage, thus calling the first triumph of a diesel powered sports car at Le Mans roughly three months ago back to mind.

Orders for the Audi R8 will be accepted from 28 September 2006, with the first deliveries being scheduled for the first half of 2007.