Author: Zahari Mladenov

Charity auctions typically offer high-value items to spur bidding that benefits a worthy cause. But what unfolded at the 3rd annual Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance auction really stood out.

The Florida gala to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County featured the opportunity to own the first 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro delivered to the U.S. The newest addition to the highly acclaimed Audi R8 lineup is equipped with a ten-cylinder engine that generates 525 horsepower and achieves a 0-62.14 mph time of 3.9 seconds. The new R8 V10 also offers advanced technologies, such as a lightweight aluminum Audi Space Frame and quattro all-wheel drive, found in the eight-cylinder Audi R8 sports car that claimed several worldwide awards in 2008, including World Performance Car and World Design Car of the Year.

“The live and silent auctions at the Gala always feature amazing items,” said James E. McDonnell IV, Chairman of the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance Event. “But this year we have truly topped the charts. In fact, the auction lineup has made a mark in history by offering one of the most sought after vehicles in the country to guests.”

The 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro isn’t expected to arrive in the U.S. until about the fourth quarter of 2009. The Gala auction, held Feb 21 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, also featured the chance to buy one of the first 2010 Ferrari California sports cars available in the U.S. But none of that dampened interest in the new Audi R8 V10.

After bids for the Ferrari topped out at $350,000, interest in the Audi R8 V10 drove its final price to $500,000 – a record for any new-production Audi model. In 2007, an Audi R8 sold in a sealed-bid Bergdorf Goodman auction for $425,000.

To raise more money for the Boys & Girls Clubs, the winning bidder at the Boca Raton auction offered to give his rights to the first R8 V10 if Audi would give him the second model available in the U.S. Audi agreed and the two R8 V10 models sold for $850,000 combined. One night, two Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro sports cars, $850,000 in bids to help an organization that helps children find positive influences in life. Overall, the Boca Raton Gala raised more than $1 million in net proceeds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.