Audi R8 Rolls onto the Red Carpet for 'Iron Man 3'

NASHUA, N.H., May 1, 2013 — It takes a special kind of vehicle for a superhero who is a mechanical wonder himself, so fans won't be surprised to learn that Tony Stark's ride will again be the Audi R8 supercar when "Iron Man 3" opens nationally on May 3. This time, however, it will be an all-electric prototype version of the vehicle, the R8 e-tron, which recently appeared at a special London screening as the film's stars were ushered in with Audi A8 models.

Though there are currently no official plans to put the Audi R8 e-tron into production, Iron Man will benefit from its four electric motors, which produce the equivalent of 313 horsepower and launch the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. A variety of other Audi models will also make cameos in the film, including the Audi S7 Sportback driven by Gwyneth Paltrow's character, Pepper Potts, as well as the Audi A8 L, A6, S5 Coupé and Q5.

"The R8 e-tron highlights one way Audi is planning to become more sustainable in the future while maintaining its reputation for unparalleled performance," said Larry Bedell, general manager of Audi of Nashua, a New Hampshire Audi dealer. "There is no doubt that Tony Stark would want a ride that is environmentally friendly, but he still needs to be able to chase down villains on the road. The Audi R8 e-tron can accomplish both."

While luxury buyers may need to wait a little while for an electrified ride like the R8 e-tron, a refreshed gas-powered version of the supercar went on sale this month. The 2014 Audi R8 now features an optional seven-speed S tronic transmission that lowers the 0 - 60 mph time of the new R8 V10 Plus Coupe by 0.3 seconds to 3.3 seconds. With 550 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque on tap, the R8 V10 Plus Coupe sits at the top of the R8 lineup, achieving a maximum speed of 196 mph.

Outside, the 2014 Audi R8 received a full-LED headlamp design, new front and rear bumpers, and a carbon-fiber front-lip splitter that is standard on the V10 Plus Coupe. In the cabin, drivers will enjoy the new diamond-stitch leather seats and the available flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel.

"Audi has steadily improved upon the R8 since the car made its impressive debut in 2008, and the latest model offers buyers the most performance and luxury yet," Bedell noted. "It is faster, more comfortable and more attractive. That's saying a lot considering how many fans the previous model still has."

About Audi of Nashua:
A five-time winner of Audi's prestigious Magna Society award, Audi of Nashua invites those in search of the world's finest vehicles to explore its inventory of new and used Audi cars for sale. New Hampshire Audi owners will also find a complete selection of Audi parts and accessories, as well as expert Audi service from factory-trained technicians. Discover the quality, performance and engineering that make every Audi special by checking out their inventory at www.audinashua.com, liking them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/audiofnashua, or calling their dealership, located at 170 Main Dunstable Road in Nashua, N.H., at 888-475-5701.