Audi Adds Rear-Wheel Drive RWD to the R8 | Audi
Audi R8 V10 RWS Coupe | Audi R8 V10 RWD Coupe
Audi R8 V10 RWS Spyder | Audi R8 V10 RWD Spyder
Audi Adds Rear-Wheel Drive to the R8
On September 11, Audi announced that it would add the rear-wheel drive Audi R8 V10 RWD to its flagship sports car.R8The body styles will be coupe and spyder, with 999 units of each produced as a limited edition.
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50kg Lighter Than the AWD Model
According to Audi Sport CEO Stephan Winkelmann, "The Audi R8 V10 RWD is a car for purists who seek the joy of sporty driving. By combining the mid-mounted V10 engine with rear-wheel drive, we have succeeded in transplanting the concept of the R8 LMS racing car to a road-legal model."
The curb weight of the Audi R8 V10 RWD Coupe is 1,590kg. This is 50kg lighter than the Audi R8 V10 Coupe with its quattro all-wheel drive system, which requires a propeller shaft, multi-plate clutch, and center differential. The open-top R8 V10 RWD Spyder weighs 1,680kg, also 40kg lighter. The front-to-rear weight distribution is 40.6:59.4 for the coupe and 40.4:59.6 for the spyder.
The naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine, mounted behind the driver, produces 397kW (540ps) and 540Nm, with no changes. 0-100km/h acceleration is 3.7 seconds for the coupe and 3.8 seconds for the spyder. Top speeds are officially stated as 320km/h for the coupe and 318km/h for the spyder.
In terms of its rear-wheel-drive character, the chassis setup and control programs are specific to the RWD configuration. Selecting "Dynamic" mode with the standard Audi Drive Select and setting the ESC (Electronic Stabilization Control) to "Sport" allows for enjoyable drift control. However, the system also remembers to provide driver support with ESC intervention at the limit.
Furthermore, the electric power steering eliminates torque steer, enabling more precise handling.
The exterior features a matte black Singleframe grille and front and rear air apertures, sideblades with gloss black uppers and body-colored lowers, and standard 19-inch gloss black forged aluminum wheels in a 5-spoke V design. Additionally, the coupe offers an optional red film for the hood, roof, and rear end, reminiscent of the racing R8 LMS GT4.
The interior comes standard with leather/Alcantara sports seats, with optional full bucket seats available. An emblem engraved with a serial number from 1 to 999 is installed on the dashboard.
The RWD models, produced at the Böllinger Höfe R8 factory, are priced at 140,000 euros for the coupe and 153,000 euros for the spyder. Orders will be accepted starting this autumn in Germany and other European countries, with deliveries commencing simultaneously.