Audi has announced that the R8 wil go on sale on the US market in September. Pricing starts at $110,000 for the six-speed manual and rises to $119,000 for the six-speed automatic. Both prices include shipping. The R8 has a 420-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 engine.

On selling the R8 Audi will copy a Ferrari practice: dealers will ask would-be buyers to sign an affidavit stating that they will give the dealer first crack at buying back the R8 if they sell it. Signing the affidavit is voluntary.

"This way we can better control the second life cycle of the car," says Marc Trahan, director of product quality and technical service. "It is such a rare and exotic car, and this protects the customers. And it will be good for the car's residual values."

The US market will only get 300 units a year 100 more than initially planned, because of demand, says Trahan. "Dealers say they could sell many more, but we want to keep the car more exclusive," he says.