The Audi Sport has extended its R8 series to include a new rear-wheel drive model. The Audi R8 V10 RWS comes in a limited series of 999 units with both coupé and spyder variants. 

The new car will be rear-driven (Rear Wheel Series) and be built exclusively by hand at the R8 factory in Böllinger Höfe, Germany.

“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,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director Audi Sport.

The purist 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 hood, 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. 

The mid-mounted V10 engine of the Audi R8 V10 RWS produces 397 kW (540 hp). It delivers its peak torque of 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) 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 km,

The Coupé weighs 1,590 kg, 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, at 1,680 kg. 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 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 completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling. The car rolls on black-finished, 19-inch, aluminium wheels in a five-spoke V-design, with 245/35 tyres up front and 295/35 at the rear.

The Audi R8 V10 RWS will be available for order in Germany and other European countries from autumn. The Coupé starts at €140,000 ($166,238) and the Spyder at €153,000 ($181,674).