Audi Sport has extended its R8 range with the addition of a rear-wheel drive model that the German car maker calls its purest supercar – the R8 V10 RWS (Rear Wheel Series).
Limited to 999 units worldwide, the R8 V10 RWS is available to order as a Coupe or Spyder and offered exclusively with rear-wheel drivetrain. The new supercar model will be built alongside its all-wheel drive siblings at the Bollinger Hofe R8 factory in Germany.
The 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine in the RWS range will produce 397kW of power and of 540Nm of torque, powering the Coupe from 0 to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and 3.8 seconds in the Spyder. The two models will max out at 318km/h and 317km/h respectively.
You’ll be able to pick out the Audi R8 RWS thanks to a matt black grille and air apertures at the front and rear. The upper sideblade of the Coupe’s will be finished in gloss black, the lower blade in the body colour.
Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, the Coupe 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 and the dashboard bears an emblem “1 of 999,” indicating the limited number of units.
The Coupe weighs in at 1,590kg, 50kg less than the R8 Coupe with all-wheel drive.The Spyder is 40kg lighter than the R8 Spyder V10, weighing 1,680kg.
The RWS range will also feature a specially-tuned chassis adapted for rear-wheel drive, including a new drift setting. The electric power steering is also now free of torque steer.
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”.
As standard, the Audi R8 V10 RWS is fitted with 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.
“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.”
Local pricing for Audi Sport's latest supercar creation has not yet been announced.
