Audi R8 V10 RWS is the first ever rear-wheel drive R8

Audi is extending its R8 supercar line-up to include a new derivative with rear-wheel drive. The Audi R8 V10 RWS comes in a limited series of 999 units worldwide, with both Coupé and Spyder variants. Like its name suggests – Rear Wheel Series – the R8 RWS will be rear-driven and be built exclusively by hand at the Böllinger Höfe R8 factory in Germany.

“The R8 V10 RWS is made for purists,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH.

“A limited-edition special model for customers with an appreciation for essential driving enjoyment, the R8 V10 RWS is an absolutely exclusive offer. With its mid-mounted V10 engine and rear-wheel drive, it successfully brings the driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets,” said Mr Winkelmann.

Matt black design elements, optional films

The puristic character of the new R8 variant is underscored by the matt black grille of the Singleframe and the matt black air apertures at the front and rear of the car. The upper sideblade (of the Coupé) is finished in gloss black, the lower blade in the body color. Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, the Coupé is available with an optional red film running over the bonnet, roof and rear end.

The Audi R8 V10 RWS rolls standard on black-finished, 19-inch, cast aluminium wheels in a five-spoke V-design, with 245/35 tyres up front and 295/35 at the rear.

Inside, the driver and passenger sit in sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. Bucket seats are available as an option. The dashboard bears an emblem “1 of 999,” indicating the limited number of units.

5.2 FSI engine – one of the last naturally aspirated engines in its segment

The mid-mounted V10 engine of the Audi R8 V10 RWS produces 397 kW. It delivers its peak torque of 540 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The 5.2 FSI engine accelerates the Coupé from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds (Spyder: 3.8 seconds) and beyond to a top speed of 320 km/h (Spyder: 318 km/h). With the top closed, average fuel consumption of the R8 V10 RWS is 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres, corresponding to 283 grams CO2 per kilometre. With the top open, these figures are 12.6 litres and 286 grams CO2 per kilometre.

Specially tuned chassis setup allows controlled drifts

The Coupé weights 1,509 kg (without driver), 50 kg less than the R8 Coupé with all-wheel drive which needs additional components like propshaft, multi-plate clutch and centre differential. The Spyder is 40 kg lighter than the R8 Spyder V10, weighing in at 1,680 kg (without driver). The axle load distribution of 40.6:59.4 (Coupé) and 40.4:59.6 (Spyder) together with chassis and handling tuning specially adapted for rear-wheel drive promises incredibly fun driving.

The chassis setup and control systems allow controlled drifts if the driver chooses “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system and sets the Stabilisation Control ESC to “Sport”. The ESC intervenes reliably at the limit. The electromechanical power steering is claimed to be completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling.

The Audi R8 V10 RWS will come to Australia in very limited numbers, with the first vehicles expected to arrive in March 2018.