Iron Man‘s ‘Exploded’ Audi R8 V10 Cruises into L.A.’s Petersen Museum

Tony Stark’s R8 V10 is part of new ‘Hollywood Dream Machines’ exhibit and celebrates 10 years of Audi and Marvel’s partnership.

Ten years ago, Audi placed a V10 engine in the back of its R8, giving birth to the R8 V10. At the same time, the company inked a deal with Marvel to place its cars into a few films, including the most recent film, Avengers: Endgame.

Behind the wheel of every Audi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? None other than Tony “Iron Man” Stark. And lucky for fans of both the MCU and Audi, the two are together in a special installation as part of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy exhibit from now through March 2020, in the form of Stark’s Audi R8 V10 from Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War.

“We’re proud to highlight Audi and Marvel Studios’ connection in ’Hollywood Dream Machines,’” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “This exhibit is a love letter to the science fiction and fantasy vehicles that spark our imaginations and the amazing technology of both Audi and Iron Man are a perfect example of this.”

Stark’s R8 V10’s backside is displayed in an “exploded” manner, with its many pieces suspended by wire, all the better to examine the 5.2-liter FSI V10 “in an Instagram-ready display.” The 10th anniversary special installation is designed overall to celebrate both Stark’s astounding ingenuity and Audi’s ever-forward technological progress over the years, going as far as to pair the R8 V10 with Stark’s beloved Iron Man suit.

“Just as Audi celebrates 10 years of collaboration with Marvel, the V10 engine powering the Audi R8, the halo vehicle of our brand, celebrates its 10th anniversary, as well,” said Audi of America’s marketing chief, Loren Angelo. “This installation is a great way to pay homage to the iconic ‘supercar for superheroes’ and for our brand to continue to inspire and delight our fans.”

Audi’s celebration of its FSI V10 will continue outside of the exhibition with a limited-edition version of the R8 V10, the 2020 R8 V10 Decennium. Only 222 units will be produced, of which the final 50 will be sold in the United States. Each Decennium comes with a 620-horsepower V10, bronze highlights against a handful of paint choices, leather seats with bronze stitching, and a price tag of $215,000.

If that’s too steep for your wallet, though, the trip to visit Stark’s R8 V10 at the Petersen won’t be: only $16 for adults, $11 for children between 4 and 17 years of age.

Photos for Team Speed by David Ciminelli

Join the Team Speed forums now!

Cameron Aubernon

Cameron Aubernon's path to automotive journalism began in the early New '10s. Back then, a friend of hers thought she was an independent fashion blogger.

Aubernon wasn't, so she became one, covering fashion in her own way for the next few years.

From there, she's written for: Louisville.com/Louisville Magazine, Insider Louisville, The Voice-Tribune/The Voice, TOPS Louisville, Jeffersontown Magazine, Dispatches Europe, The Truth About Cars, Automotive News, Yahoo Autos, RideApart, Hagerty, and Street Trucks.

Aubernon also served as the editor-in-chief of a short-lived online society publication in Louisville, Kentucky, interned at the city's NPR affiliate, WFPL-FM, and was the de facto publicist-in-residence for a communal art space near the University of Louisville.

Aubernon is a member of the International Motor Press Association, and the Washington Automotive Press Association.

Facebook   Twitter   Instagram