Audi R8 -- the iron of choice in Iron Man Movie

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Audi’s R8 is the new star on Hollywood’s A-list, and car-junkies everywhere will cream when they see it. Dan Neil already (accurately) gushed over the R8 in his review, so, I’m here to tell you that now it’s time for this car’s movie star turn!. Robert Downey Jr. will star in the Paramount Pictures May 2008 release as Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man. It’s a major role for an established star like him, but it’s a star-making role for the car!

I showed the car to both creative types and business types in Hollywood. The questions from each respective group were predictable.

The creative bunch wanted to know why the car has a contrasting ‘patch’ running down each side. Audi calls this the ‘sideblade.’ However, some body paint colors make the car seem wholly monochromatic. Regardless, the creatives felt the car was not only sexy to look at, but would definitely attract sexy - albeit shallow - hot dates.

The suits were all over the price: I couldn’t have made this one up: ‘Why is the car so cheap?’

Really. It only starts at $109,000.00, but look at what you get: a six-speed, 420 horsepower mid-engine 4.2 V-8 that goes 0-60 in 4.4 seconds! And that body! They also say this car will get you laid - Oh, yeah, the business guys get straight to the bottom line! But since they feel it is too cheap, well, I propose, in order to make them feel more - shall we say - flush(?) this vehicle should have a sex tax! Guys would gladly pay a stiff tax for a car that’s too sexy. Think of it as an enhancement pill. Not that it’s the car’s potency that needs this, of course!

--Josh Hancock