The rear-wheel
drive Audi R8, which was introduced a couple of years ago, has returned for the
2020MY, albeit with a few changes and a new moniker, as it’s now named the V10
RWD instead of the RWS. More importantly, though, it’s not a limited edition
anymore, as it joins the R8 family as a production-series model.
Available in both
body styles, Coupe and Spyder, it will launch in European markets early next
year, priced from € 144,000 (US$ 159,875) and € 157,000 (US$ 174,310) in Germany,
respectively. The new R8 RWD sports a few visual updates on the outside that
allow it to fly under the radar – well, as much as it can with that shape,
anyway. These, according to Audi, include the front splitter, air inlets and
air outlet grille at the rear that have become broader.
Moreover, the
diffuser has moved upwards and incorporates two oval tailpipes, and the side
blades further hint at the nature of the car: the top one is finished in glossy
black, whereas the bottom blade is painted in the same color as the rest of the
exterior. As standard, the front blade, side sill inserts and diffuser sport a
glossy black look. Speaking of colors, the Kemora Gray joins the palette.
For an extra buck,
you can get the logo in black and the Carbon Styling Package plus, for the
Spyder only, the Extended Black Styling Package. As standard, it rides on black
19-inch forged wheels, but it can be had with 20-inch rims as well. Inside,
Audi has wrapped the sports seats in leather and Alcantara and has added an
‘RWD’ logo on the passenger’s side of the dashboard.
The 5.2-liter
naturally aspirated V10 has an output identical to the R8 RWS limited edition:
540 PS and 540 Nm of torque. It’s paired to a
seven-speed S Tronic transmission and mechanical locking differential and
rockets the Coupe to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and up to 320 km/h, while the Spyder is 0.1 seconds slower and maxes out at 318 km/h.
Tipping the scales
at 1,595 kg, the Coupe is 65 kg lighter than the AWD
version, whereas the Spyder has shaved 55 kg and weighs 1,695 kg. Controlled drifting is possible, according to Audi, if the driver
activates the Sport mode in connection with the ESC.
