It's no question that Tony Stark as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to go down as one of the greatest superheroes in movie history. From his witty sarcasm to his high-tech intelligence, there are a lot of qualities that make Iron Man almost everyone's favorite hero, but what most people don't know is that his brains and his side jokes are just the beginning.
Without his high-powered, self-made, super suit, Tony Stark couldn't be Iron Man, and without his mid-engine two-seater sports car, Stark couldn't be the coolest Avenger riding around town. Whether or not you consider yourself a Marvel Movie expert, we've got these 10 Things You Didn't Know About Iron Man's Audi R8.
10 Stark's Evolution = Audi R8's Evolution
Ever since the beginning of the Iron Man movie series, Marvel established early on that Tony Stark's go-to car was the Audi R8. In the first Iron Man film released in 2008, Tony Stark can be seen driving his Audi R8 where he meets his friend and soon-to-be partner in crime, Rhodey who plays the Iron Patriot. However, the Iron Man series and the Marvel Cinematic Universe itself has come a long way since 2008.
It's no surprise that just as technology in the world is changing, so does Iron Man's cars. From this classic car to the Audi R8 Spyder to the Audi E-Tron, Stark's got all the versions of this sports car stored in his garage, just like his suits.
9 See the Audi R8 Spyder in Iron Man 2
In May of 2010, Iron Man 2 was released in theaters, and with the return of its superhero was also the return of the Audi R8, but newer, updated, and thrillingly eye-catching - the 2010 Audi R8 Spyder.
Despite the number of fight scenes that take place on the coast of California and, at one part of the movie even on a race track, Tony never drives this Audi model in the movie. However, the car can easily be spotted park in Tony's garage next to his huge collection of other top-notch sports cars. With a license plate that says "STARK11," there's no way you'll miss spotting this car on-screen.
8 Stark Switches Out His Audi for an Acura, Then Switches Back
Two years later in 2012, the first of the Avengers films was released in May, with Iron Man at the forefront as the leader of Earth's mightiest superheroes. What's interesting about this film is that Iron Man isn't seen with his signature Audi R8, but instead a brand new 2012 Acura. At the end of the movie, the Avengers are seen returning to their homes after a long day of battles in New York. Tony Stark pulls up in his Acura with Bruce Banner at his side.
Known as the 2012 Stark Industries Super Car, this Acura model came equipped with 9 Speed HYPER-Shift transmission and looked awesome onscreen. However, this is the only movie you'll see Stark in an Acura since he switches back to his favorite car in the movies that follow.
7 See the Redesigned Audi R8 in Avengers: Age of Ultron
In the movies Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and Captain America: Civil War (2016), Tony Stark can be seen driving around the 2016 version of the Audi R8. In a model that's orange and black and hard to miss, Stark uses this Audi model as his number one source of transportation in multiple scenes in both films.
When it was first debuted, the 2016 Audi R8 was available for the first time with hard-core performance tires straight from the factory it was made in -- Very authentic, and the perfect car for Iron Man to drive while on his way to saving the world.
6 "Tony Stark's Car" - The 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus Quattro
In 2017, Audi released its Audi R8 V10 Plus Quattro, and though this model never made an appearance in any Iron Man or Avengers film, by the time it was released to the public, many people were referring to it as "Tony Stark's car."
The updates to the model included a new lightweight, aluminum-intensive structure, 610-horsepower, and a midengine that claimed a 32 second 0-60 mph time. Prices for the new R8 started at $162,900 and was made to run faster and more efficiently than the models before it. If you're ever looking to mirror Tony Stark as he drives, this just might be the car you should consider purchasing.
5 The Robert Downey Jr. and Audi R8 Cameo in Spider-Man: Homecoming
In July 2017, the first of the Spider-Man movies in the MCU - Spider-Man: Homecoming - was released in theaters, and to the surprise (and joy) of many Marvel fans, it is soon learned that Robert Downey Jr. makes a cameo as Tony Stark in the Spider-Man film -- and his Audi R8, along with him.
As Tony Stark and Peter Park begin to form a mentor/student-like relationship, Stark can be seen speaking to Peter from his car's Bluetooth speaker. Even when he exits the car, the Bluetooth stays connected and his call to Peter from across the globe remains o the line, showing off the new technology both Stark and the Audi now have at this point in the MCU.
4 Robert Downey Jr. Unveiled The Audi E-Tron at LA Auto Show
One incredible thing about Robert Downey Jr. and the hero he plays on screen is that many times, in real life, Downey mirrors many things Stark himself might do in the movies -- for example, unveiling the latest Audi models at auto shows.
In November 2018, the Iron Man star promoted the debut of the new Audi E-Tron GT, an all-electric car. The Audi E-Tron is a 590-horsepower, four-door sports car, and can be seen in the latest Avengers movie, Avengers: Endgame. This movie is still ranked high at the box office, so if you're curious enough to see what Iron Man looks driving the Audi E-Tron, you'll have to head to your local movie theater!
3 Audi E-Tron GT Features Is The Perfect Iron Man Car
If you've been wondering what makes the Audi E-Tron GT so special, the truth is that with its new features and the technology used to create it - it really is the perfect car for Iron Man.
Unveiled last year, the fully-electric car comes with a 90-kilowatt-hour battery pack and 582 horsepower. With fast charging and wireless charging capabilities, Audi is not only taking its sports car to a new level but also making a point to be eco-friendly. In line with keeping up to date on all the latest tech and saving the world, it only makes sense Tony Stark would be one of the first people driving this car (both on-screen and in real life).
2 Robert Downey Jr. Rolled Up to the Avengers: Endgame Premiere In It
Just as he should, Robert Downey Jr. then took his Audi E-Tron and arrived to the Avengers: Endgame premiere in it in Los Angeles, California last April. In anticipation of the fourth Avengers film, and what many actors and moviemakers were calling "the best Avengers film yet," it only seemed fitting that Downey arrived in the best car possible.
In Avengers: Endgame, Tony Stark has evolved the Iron Man suit by using nanotechnology, making it faster, more efficient, and more powerful than ever. Similar to his suits, the evolution of the Audi R8 is evident as he flaunts its speed on his way to the Avengers HQ in one of the early scenes of the film.
1 The Future of Cars In the MCU
While Avengers: Endgame might have brought Iron Man's character arc to a close, Marvel movie watchers and car-lovers alike are now left to wonder, will there be any more appearances of cars or sports cars like the Audi R8 in future Marvel films?
The truth is, we can't know for sure. However, with Tony Stark is a smart businessman and has left Stark Industries behind for the world to use. He has also left Spiderman with brand new suit technology. It would be silly to overlook that Tony just might have left behind a few Audi E-Trons for his fellow superheroes too.