- Coupe and Spyder variants are first Audi production models with rear wheel-drive as a limited edition
- 50 kilograms lighter than R8 Coupé V10 (Spyder 40kg lighter)
- Available to order in the UK later this month priced from £110,000 OTR
- Stephan Winkelmann, MD Audi Sport GmbH: “R8 V10 RWS successfully brings driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets”
Neckarsulm, September 11, 2017 – Audi Sport GmbH is extending its R8 model series to include new derivatives with rear-wheel drive. Limited to 999 units worldwide, and available to order in the UK from Friday September 15 priced from £110,000 OTR, the Audi R8 V10 RWS and R8 Spyder V10 RWS will be exclusively rear-driven (Rear Wheel Series) and will be built by hand at the Böllinger Höfe R8 factory.
“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.”
Matt black design elements, optional films
The purebred 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 colour.
Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, the Coupé is available with an optional red film running over the bonnet, roof and rear end. 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 540PS. It delivers its peak torque of 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. The 5.2 FSI engine powers the Coupé from 0 to 62mph in 3.7 seconds (Spyder: 3.8 seconds) and beyond to a top speed of 198mph (Spyder: 197mph). With the top closed, combined fuel economy in the R8 V10 RWS amounts to 22.7mpg, corresponding to 283 grams CO2 per kilometre. With the top open, these figures are 22.4mpg and 286 grams CO2 per kilometre.
Specially tuned chassis setup allows controlled drifts
The Coupé weighs 1,590 kilograms (without driver), 50 kilograms (110.2 lb) 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 kilograms lighter than the R8 Spyder V10, weighing in at 1,680 kilograms (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 provide for particularly entertaining 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 completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling. The Audi R8 V10 RWS is fitted as standard with 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.
