The announcement came today as part of the Xbox 360 keynote presentation at the 2009 E3 Expo, the world’s largest trade show dedicated exclusively to the interactive entertainment industry. http://www.audiusanews.com http://www.forza.xbox.com

Forza Motorsport has been at the pinnacle of racing video games since its arrival on the scene in 2005. When Forza Motorsport 3 hits the market in late October, it will set a new standard for the modern racing game. Featuring the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro prominently on the cover as its “hero” car, the creators of “Forza Motorsport 3” have worked closely with Audi engineers to model the R8 V10 to an intricate degree. Important, but often overlooked aspects of motorsport, details such as gear ratios, tire deformation, and track telemetry are tightly integrated throughout the entire game making it the most exhilarating experience you can have off the track. The new game will also feature exceptionally realistic renderings of race courses that Audi has dominated in recent years, including home of the 12 Hours of Sebring and several others that will be revealed in the months leading up to the game’s Fall release. Best of all, “Forza Motorsport 3” allows participants to experience the thrill of taking the checkered flag right from the starting line, with the help of driving assists, training modes and a forgiving game rewind feature that ensures a great experience for car fans of all ages and skill levels.

Anticipation for the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro has been running high in advance of its arrival in showrooms in the second half of 2009. At the February 2009 Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance charity auction, rights to own the first R8 V10 model in the U.S. sold for a record $500,000. Audi will officially announce pricing for the sports car in the months ahead. The car will stand as the new top-of-the-line model of the R8 series, which was developed jointly with quattro GmbH. Its ten-cylinder engine develops 525 hp, which is capable of delivering breathtaking performance. Audi technologies such as quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the lightweight aluminum body and the innovative all-LED lights propel the new top Audi model right to the top of its competitive field.

What we love about the R8 is the car stands for much of what makes Forza Motorsport 3 the ultimate racing game – powerful but refined, sophisticated yet inviting, the perfect blend of design and performance,” said Dan Greenawalt, Game Director, Turn 10. “It’s that blend of design and performance that makes Audi the ideal partner for my team. It mirrors the way we approach the development of Forza.”

What made this partnership so attractive to Audi was the passion that developers of “Forza Motorsport 3” have for highly tuned automobiles.

“If you spend just a few minutes with the teams at Xbox and Turn 10 you know these are car buffs who appreciate exceptional cars,” said Scott Keogh, Chief Marketing Officer, Audi of America. “Forza Motorsport 3 exudes authenticity. Audi puts a premium on engineering excellence. The two philosophies mesh perfectly.”