One-off special-edition supercar exclusive to Japan, celebrates Final Fantasy XV video game
Powered by a 5.2-litre V10 pumping through a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Audi R8 is usually the reserve of successful business people, sports stars and wealthy enthusiasts.
But this Audi R8 has been tailor made for one lucky video game fanatic… A very rich gamer, that is.
Priced at around $600,000 or ¥50,000,000, the one-off car costs about 50 per cent more than a regular Audi R8 ($389,616) and features a number of unique additions that will have game geeks everywhere in raptures.
Seen in Sony Pictures’ computer-generated movie, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, it’s rumoured the car may also feature in the game, which launches on November 29, 2016.
Named the Audi R8 Star of Lucis after the (fictional) crown prince of Lucis, the protagonist of the big-budget $100 million open-world video game, the special R8 features the “decorative pattern of royal prayer” around the side mirrors, air intakes, flanks and rear wing.
However, the Star of Lucis’ piece de resistance must be its wheels, described as “perfect beauty” by Audi of Japan. They are meant to depict swords, which are very popular in Final Fantasy games, and rose petals within their intricate spoke design.
Developed by Audi and Square Enix, the team behind the Final Fantasy videogame, the interior of the flashy R8 appears to have been an afterthought, with no changes mentioned. An opportunity missed perhaps, with the Lucis patterning surely a clear embroidery choice for the leather sports seats?
It’s not the first time a video game-inspired vehicle has emerged in recent times, with the GM Hummer-based Warhog military scout vehicle from the Halo games popping up at various sci-fi events in the US for a few years now.
Audi and Square Enix say the car is integral to the story-driven role-playing video game and features its own narrative within the game.
Like all Audi R8 V10 Plus vehicles, the Star of Lucis bangs out 449kW and 560Nm, which is good for a top speed of 330km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.2 seconds.
Japanese buyers won’t have to outbid each other to buy this unique vehicle, because Audi has decided to sell the vehicle via a special raffle, selecting one buyer at random.
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