Since the first-generation Audi R8 was introduced, the supercar proudly featured the company’s infamous Quattro all-wheel drive system. In case you are unaware, the R8 shares much of its formula with the Lamborghini Huracan which is available in all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive layout.
While an all-wheel drive supercar boasts monstrous traction off the line, nothing activates one’s adrenaline like a beautifully executed controlled overseer. Introducing the Audi R8 RWS (short for Rear Wheel Series), available in both coupe and spyder body styles, marking the four rings’ first attempt at a rear-wheel drive production model.
Limited to 999 units worldwide, the R8 RWS like its Quattro sibling will be hand built at the Böllinger Höfe factory in Germany. Among the unique design cues include matt black finish on the Singleframe grille as well as front and rear air apertures. The coupe version also has its upper side blade finished in gloss black. Like the R8 LMS GT 4 race car, the R8 RWS Coupe gets the red stripe livery running across the bonnet to the rear end.
Inside, the R8 RWS comes with leather and Alcantara upholstery with sport seats as standard while bucket seats are available as an option. All models of this limited edition R8 gets a “1 of 999” emblem.
Although it loses out on the Quattro all-wheel drive system, the Huracan twin still retains the 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 that pushes 532 hp and 540 Nm of torque. Drive is sent exclusively to the rear axles via a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox. Century sprint is a shade slower than its all-wheel drive sibling at 3.7 seconds (3.8 for the spyder). Flat out, the coupe will do 319 km/h while the spyder will register 317 km/h.
The biggest merit from losing two driven wheels is weight. The R8 RWS Coupe is 50 kg lighter than the all-wheel drive R8. Besides that, Audi has specifically tuned the chassis to allow the driver to perform controlled oversteers when the Audi Drive Select is in “Dynamic” mode. Audi explained that the ESC will intervene “reliably at the limit”.
Plans are underway from Audi Malaysia to introduce the second-generation Audi R8 and we had the privilege to sample it in Germany last year.
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