AUDI SPORT TAKES A NEW TURN WITH THE NEW R8 V10 RWS
ÚK examples of the first ever rear-wheel drive Audi will arrive next month
•Coupé and Spyder variants are first Audi production models available with rear wheel-drive, limited to 999 examples worldwide
•50 kilograms lighter than R8 Coupé V10 (Spyder 40kg lighter)
•Available to order in the ÚK now, priced from £112,450 OTR as a Coupé and £121,140 OTR for the Spyder
•First deliveries begin during March
•R8 Coupé V10 RWS: 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds, top speed 198mph, combined MPG 22.8, CO2 283 g/km
•R8 Spyder V10 RWS: 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, top speed 197mph, combined MPG 22.4, CO2 286 g/kmFront wheels, rear wheels or four wheels – Audi Sport is acknowledging that performance car enthusiasts have personal preferences when it comes to the way their power is transmitted to the tarmac by bolstering the acclaimed R8 range with the limited edition R8 Rear Wheel Series. Even more uncompromising in its pursuit of driver reward, this latest version of the much loved V10 super sports car makes history as the first ever rear-driven series production Audi model, following the global success of the R8 LMS GT3 racing car.Priced from £112,450 OTR, the new R8 Rear Wheel Series (RWS) has been available to order in the ÚK as a Coupé or Spyder since September, and first deliveries of ÚK examples, which are all built almost exclusively by hand at the Böllinger Höfe Audi Sport facility, will commence in March.Despite the overtly rearward bias in the drivetrain, performance off the line and beyond remains reassuringly breathtaking, with the 0-62mph sprint being dispatched in just 3.7 seconds (Spyder: 3.8 seconds) and the pace remaining furious until v-max at 198mph (Spyder: 197mph).The mid-mounted V10 engine, which is now one of the last naturally aspirated powerplants in the segment, produces 540PS and peak torque of 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. Its enthralling, visceral sound can be further enhanced by the fitment of a sports exhaust.Combined fuel economy in the R8 Coupé V10 RWS amounts to 22.8mpg, corresponding to 283 grams of CO2 per kilometre. For the Spyder, these figures are 22.4mpg and 286 grams of CO2 per kilometre.Specially tuned chassis setupThe 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 the 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 electromechanical power steering is completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling.The chassis setup and control systems allow controlled drifts if the driver chooses 'dynamic' mode in the standard Audi drive select and sets the Stabilisation Control ESC to 'Sport'. The ESC intervenes reliably at the limit to keep handling in check.
Focused yet full ÚK specification
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, with the lower blade in body colour. Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, a red Audi Sport decal running over the bonnet, roof and over the rear spoiler can be optionally applied to the Coupé.
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48,687
March 2023
52,763
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