Audi will put its ‘Le Mans quattro’ concept, now named the R8, into production.

The concept was first presented two years ago at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show and is already being prepared for production at Audi’s plant in Neckarsulm in the fourth quarter of 2006. The market launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2007.

Audi has invested €28 million (£19.2m) in the R8. This includes development and test construction at quattro GmbH and 250 employees solely for the R8 line.