New Audi R8 V10 RWD adds a non-quattro option to the R8 range

The Audi R8 V10 RWD (rear-wheel-drive) arrives as a permanent addition to the Audi R8 range, offering the firts non-quattro versions of the R8 as a coupe or spyder.

Audi has delivered a rear-wheel-drive version of the R8 before, but only as a limited edition. But now it’s decided there’s enough demand to justify a proper series production version, so say hello to the Audi R8 RWD.

The limited edition Audi R8 RWS is the mechanical basis for this production model of the RWD R8, with the same 532bhp V10 with 398lb/ft of torque, with power going to the back wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch auto ‘box via a mechanical locking diff.

Losing the 4WD grip does mean a bit of a performance penalty, but with 62mph still coming up in 3.7 seconds and top speed at 197mph, it’s not too much of a penalty, and the RWD should allow for a bit more showy-offy sliding too.

The R8 V10 RWD comes with the same makeover the rest of the R8 range had last year, but gets new gloss black sideblades and rear diffuser to mark it out from its quattro siblings, along with 19″ alloys (20″ are an option) and an ‘RWD’ badge on the dashboard so you remember you don’t quite have the usual R8 grip.

 Oliver Hoffmann, Audi Sport MD, said:

We launched a limited series of the Audi R8 V10 RWS at the beginning of 2018. Its rear-wheel drive derived from the R8-LMS racing car, and the special dynamics sparked our customers’ enthusiasm right away. Now it will become part of the R8 family as a separate model, the R8 V10 RWD. And we are giving it the same sharp look as the new R8 quattro models.

The Audi R8 V10 RWD goes on sale in the UK in the New Year as a Coupe or Spyder, and although UK prices haven’t been announced yet it will be cheaper than the £128k of the quattro.