words: Bill, photos: Performance Auto Gallery via Bring A Trailer
First, I promise that I won’t put too many Van Halen song titles in this article or else at least I’ll try not to. Second, the MK1 R8 V8 is my favorite modern Audi and I ain’t talkin’ bout love…it’s lust.
This particular R8 has an interesting history. It’s an early build that was spec’d by someone at Audi of America for a very talented person. The person in question? None other than Eddie Van Halen.
I always felt that Eddie had great taste in cars. His collection has included Lamborghinis, Porsches, Ferraris, and two R8s…one V8 and one V10, both supercharged. This is that V8.
According to Bring A Trailer, this R8 is equipped with the VF Engineering VFK85 Supercharger kit, GIAC ECU tune, and a STaSIS exhaust system. Best part though is that it’s a 6 speed manual and it looks completely stock unlike the infamous Justin Bieber leopard print wrapped R8 (you can Google that…I’m not putting that thing on my website). I knew Eddie was cool.
Here’s the ad:
This 2009 Audi R8 shows approximately 14k miles and is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 which has been fitted with a VF Engineering supercharger and drives all four wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in Ibis White over a black leather interior, and additional modifications include a STaSIS exhaust system and a GIAC ECU tune. This R8 was reportedly purchased new by guitarist Eddie Van Halen and remained in his possession until its acquisition by the selling dealer out of California last year. It is offered in Maryland with extra keys, factory manuals, copies of original registration cards and sales documents, a clean Carfax report, and a clean California title.
Ibis White paint is contrasted with carbon fiber side blades and black grilles and valance trim. Close-up photos of the paintwork and lenses are provided in the gallery below, along with several paint meter readings that show measurements between 4.0 and 5.5 mils. The Carfax report is free of accidents or other damage.
Stock 19” split-spoke wheels are mounted with Pirelli tires date-coded from 2017. Braking is from 8-piston front calipers and 4-piston rears over cross-drilled rotors.
Black leather sport seats are power-adjustable and heated, and carbon fiber trim accents the dash and door panels. The car is equipped with Audi Navigation Plus, parking sensors, a rearview camera, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, a 6-disc CD changer, and a gated shifter for the 6-speed manual transmission.
Instrumentation includes a 220-mph speedometer, a tachometer with an 8,100 rpm redline, and a digital odometer that shows approximately 14k miles.
The 4.2-liter V8 was fitted with a VF750 supercharger (actually it’s a VFK85 Supercharger kit- editor) and STaSIS exhaust system by VF Engineering of Anaheim, California in 2010. The work cost over $25k according to an included invoice, and reportedly boosted output to 750 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. An oil change was reportedly performed in the last 500 miles.
This R8’s provenance is well documented and confirmed by one of our friends at Audi of America. If you want this beautiful R8, you’d better jump…right now. Bidding ends in 6 days and is up to $50,812 (at the time of writing). There are dozens more photos on Bring A Trailer…I’ve only included a few.
Find the ad HERE
