Audi R8 RWS coming in April
Following its announcement last year, the limited-edition, rear-wheel drive version of Audi’s R8 supercar has been confirmed for Australian delivery from April.
Only 999 units of the R8 RWS (Rear Wheel Series) will be produced, across both coupe and spyder body styles, of which a handful are allocated to Australia.
While the Audi brand is rightly famous for its quattro all-wheel drive system, the RWS is the product of racing, specifically GT3 racing which requires entrants to be 2WD only.
On the racetrack, that manifested itself in the R8 LMS that recently won the Bathurst 12 Hour for the third time, but the upcoming RWS marks the first time such a configuration has been transferred to the road on a modern Audi.
Like the R8 quattro, the RWS version features the same carbon fibre and aluminium body construction and also uses the same engine: Audi’s naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 TFSI, which produces 397kW and 540Nm in this application. Matched to a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, listed performance data is 3.7 seconds or the 0-100km/h sprint and a top speed of 320km/h (318km/h for the spyder). While slightly slower off the mark than the quattro (3.4 seconds), top speed is the same.
Losing the centre diff, front propshaft and other drive componentry for the front axle results in a claimed 50kg decrease in weight, with the RWS coupe listing at 1509kg and the spyder at 1519kg.
Front:rear weight distribution is now 40.6:59.4 in the coupe, but Audi say they have tuned both the chassis and suspension to suit rear-wheel drive and that the result is “incredibly fun driving”.
Braking consists of eight-piston fixed calipers on the front wave discs and four-piston calipers on the rear discs.
Externally, the R8 V10 RWS is little different from the R8 V10 quattro, with the few visual differentiators including matte black grille and air vent inserts, as well as a special treatment of the R8’s signature ‘Sideblade’ styling feature. In RWS application, the blade’s upper section is finished in gloss black and the lower section in body colour. An ‘Audi Sport GT’ stripe that runs over the bonnet, roof and engine cover is an extra-cost option. Black 19-inch alloy wheels are standard, with 20-inch alloys optional.
Inside, heated sports seats trimmed in leather and alcantara are standard, but less racy bucket seats are available. A multi-function race-spec steering wheel, climate controlled air con, DAB+ digital radio, MMI Navigation, Audi’s 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display and smartphone interface are all standard.
Each R8 V10 RWS also gets a dash plaque bearing the limited-edition’s number.
When they land in April, the R8 V10 RWS will be priced from $299,500 for the coupe and $321,000 for the spyder.
Contact your Audi dealer to order and get more information.
