Audi Hosts Star-Studded Event at the Audi Forum NewYork City to Kick-off the NewYork

[chakru]

NEW YORK, NY– Audi of America Inc. on March 19th hosted a gala event at the Audi Forum New York City to kick off the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Celebrity attendees included superstar athlete Tom Brady, actor Will Arnett, model Tyson Beckford, philanthropist and Grammy-nominated songwriter Denise Rich and “Gossip Girl’s” Ed Westwick, Leighton Meester and Jessica Szohr.



Attendees gathered to view Audi’s show stopping R8 TDI Le Mans concept car, which made only its second U.S. appearance. The R8 TDI Le Mans features a variation on the Le Mans-winning Audi R10 diesel engine. The concept model’s twelve-cylinder clean diesel engine produces 500 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, while achieving a fuel-efficient 23 mpg.

Guests also saw the unveiling of an Audi A5 sports coupe, custom painted by Hunt Slonem, which Audi donated to Denise Rich’s G&P Foundation for Cancer Research. That car will be auctioned in October 2008. Prior to auction, the A5 will tour the country, including a stop at the American Film Institute at the Arclight in Los Angeles. Additionally, the car will be displayed at events created by Best Buddies International, another Audi-supported non-profit organization. Best Buddies is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships.



The event also featured catering by famed chef and restaurateur David Bouley and a performance by the Loston Harris Trio.

Photos are available for download at WireImage (WireImage.com – The Largest Entertainment Photo & Video Archive) and Patrick McMullan (Patrick McMullan Company).