Since its inception, the Audi R8 has always featured the brand’s famed Quattro all-wheel-drive system.. Except for that one time when Audi made the limited-production R8 RWS in 2017, race cars aside.
Well, it seems like Audi has realised a thing or two from that experience, as the marque has just announced the Audi R8 RWD as a permament fixture to their model lineup. The rear-wheel drive R8 will be available in both Coupe and Spyder form, too.
Powering the R8 RWD is the 5.2-litre V10 naturally aspirated engine, delivering 540 hp and 540 Nm of torque. The engine is paired to a seven-speed S tronic gearbox, and transfers power to the rear wheels via a mechanical locking differential.
Without the extra mechanical parts for the all-wheel-drive system, the R8 RWD also sheds 65 kg in weight (55 kg for the Spyder), though the 0 to 100 km/h times remain unchanged at 3.7 seconds, with the Spyder coming in a hair slower at 3.8 seconds. Flat out, the R8 RWD will reach a top speed of 320 km/h.
The Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) should help keep the oversteer in check. For the more daring bunch, Audi says that the sport mode will allow for “controlled drifting” on the R8 RWD.
Styling wise, the R8 AWD is pretty much identical to the all-wheel drive models, though Audi has added a new Kemora Gray colour scheme to the R8’s color chart. The rear-wheel drive R8 rides on 19-inch forged wheels as standard with a staggered sizing of 245/35 and 295/35 at the front and rear respectively; Larger 20-inch wheels are available as option.
Now, can Audi please bring back the 6-speed gated manual transmission from the first-generation Audi R8?
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