Audi Hires Photographer To Shoot Their $200,000 Sports Car, He Uses A $40 Toy Car Instead

Audi commissioned Mexican photographer Felix Hernandez Rodriguez to shoot a series of photos of their $200,000 R8 sports car. Felix, known for his realistic miniature photography, decided to use his signature technique and came up with some stunning shots using a scale model of the R8.

The project focuses on scale model car photography, where tiny details, handmade environments, and carefully staged scenes come together to mimic real-world automotive shoots. Felix’s work highlights how miniature photography can be used to create commercial-style visuals, even without a full-sized vehicle on set.

The shoot took place at Felix’s studio and on location. He used a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens, miniature props, clever lighting and angles to capture these images. Felix also used in-camera effects, a Wacom Cintiq pen tablet and Adobe Photoshop for some minor retouching.

What makes this series stand out is the attention to texture, lighting, and composition — elements that play a big role in automotive photography. From road surfaces to atmospheric effects, each frame is carefully built to make the Audi R8 scale model feel life-sized.

Check out the photos below.