Audi launches rear-wheel drive V10 R8 28 | 02 | 2018

AUDI HAS LAUNCHED a limited edition rear-wheel drive R8 V10. Priced from £112,450, the new R8 Rear Wheel Series is available to order now at Scottish dealerships as a Coupé or Spyder (£121,140) since September. First deliveries of UK examples, which are all built almost exclusively by hand at the Böllinger Höfe Audi Sport facility, will begin next month. (Related: Roadtest — Audi R8 V10 Plus)

Even more uncompromising in its pursuit of driver reward, this latest version of the V10 super sportscar makes history as the first ever rear-driven series production Audi model, following the global success of the R8 LMS GT3 racing car.

Despite the overtly rearward bias in the drivetrain, performance off the line and beyond remains 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). (Related: Gordon Shedden switches to WTCR with Audi)

The mid-mounted V10 engine, which is now one of the last naturally aspirated powerplants in the segment, produces 540PS and peak torque of 540Nm (398.3lb/ft) at 6500 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 283g of CO2/km. For the Spyder, these figures are 22.4mpg and 286g of CO2/km.

The Coupé weighs 1590kg (without driver), 50kg (110.2lb) 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 40kg lighter than the R8 Spyder V10, weighing in at 1680kg (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.

The newcomer gets a matt black grille Singleframe and 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.

Inside, the driver and passenger sit in heated sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. Bucket seats upholstered in rotor grey or black perforated Fine Nappa leather are also available as an option. As another visual identifier, the dashboard bears an emblem “1 of 999” indicating the limited number of units.

The Audi R8 V10 RWS is fitted as standard with black-finished, 19-inch, cast aluminium wheels in a five-spoke V-design that are exclusive to the model, with 245/35 tyres up front and 295/35 at the rear. As an alternative, optional 20in forged aluminium alloy wheels in either matt titanium or gloss anthracite black are shod with 245/30 front tyres and 305/30 rears.

Its specification mirrors that of the R8 V10 quattro, featuring all-LED headlights and LED rear lights with dynamic indicators as well as the Audi Virtual Cockpit, the high-definition Audi Sound System, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch and a suite of Audi connect Infotainment services. The Advanced Key, Cruise control and the front and rear parking system plus complete the standard equipment package.

Further enhancements can be made to the infotainment and assistance systems on board by specifying options such as Audi Laser Light extending the headlight range, a specially developed Bang & Olufsen sound system, the Audi Phone Box and Smartphone Interface.

Audi Sport also offers owners the opportunity for full personalisation, with a gloss carbon finish extending to the mirror housings, front spoiler lip and engine bay, while the Audi exclusive programme can also be comprehensively applied to various touchpoints on the interior to ensure that no two R8s are the same.

For the R8 Spyder RWS, a fully automated hood that retracts in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph can be finished in black, red or brown, contrasting with the seven paint finishes, or even one of the 50 hues in the Audi exclusive palette.

Related: Roadtest — Audi Q5 2.0TFSI S Line S tronic

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Jim McGill