Confirmed! Audi Sport unveils the R8 V10 RWS, the brand's first rear-wheel-drive sports car, in 81 photos

There are things that are constant in the automotive industry, and one of them is that Audi’s most sporty cars are all-wheel drive. Since the German firm launched the Audi Quattro in 1980, its most sporty models have incorporated the sophisticated Quattro system. Based on the premise that all-wheel drive offers a great balance between precision and effectiveness, Audi has never shown any interest in using a rear-wheel-drive system for its cars, unlike its main rivals (BMW and Mercedes-Benz). But as the saying goes, never say never.

The German firm has today unveiled a teaser video showing an Audi R8 V10 doing donuts. This sequence comes to confirm the rumors pointing to a possible launch of a rear-wheel-drive Audi R8. The car in the newly published video corresponds to a limited edition of the Audi R8 V10 that will be presented tomorrow at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a model that will follow in the footsteps of its sibling, the Lamborghini Huracán, by offering a rear-wheel-drive system.

Unique design for a limited edition

Just by looking at the exterior design we can recognize that this is not a standard R8: the Singleframe grille is finished in matte black, the same color found on the front and rear air intakes of the sports car. In addition, the contrast with the gloss black on the upper and lower parts of the body color makes it even more distinctive. Finally, an optional red adhesive film, just like on the R8 LMS GT 4, runs across the hood, roof and rear section.

The Audi R8 V10 RWS comes as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels finished in black with a unique five-V-spoke design, fitted with 245/35 tires on the front axle and 295/35 on the rear.

Moving inside the cabin, we find seats upholstered in leather and Alcantara which, as an option, can be ordered in bucket style. As with any limited edition, in this case limited to 999 units, the corresponding numbering can be found on the dashboard via an emblem.

5.2 V10 FSI engine in mid-engine position

As is only fitting, the engine of the Audi R8 V10 RWS is located in a mid-engine position, a 5.2-liter V10 FSI with a maximum output of 397 kW (540 CV) and a maximum torque of 540 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The coupé’s acceleration is rated at 3.7 seconds (the Spyder does it in 3.8 seconds), with a top speed of 320 km/h (318 km/h for the coupé).

Chassis tuning to allow drifting

A weight reduction of 50 kilos compared to the R8 (in the case of the coupé) with all-wheel drive, total 1,590 kg, requires additional components for proper stability and a fun driving experience; these components are the driveshaft, the multi-plate clutch and the center differential. The Spyder reduces its weight by 40 kilos, but weighs a total of 1,680 kg.

The new rear-wheel-drive limited edition sports car will come standard with the Audi drive select dynamic driving control system. By selecting dynamic driving mode and the “Sport” program on the ESC stability control, the settings and chassis control systems are correctly adjusted to allow controlled drifts.

#breakout @ #AudiIAA Stay tuned!

A post shared by Audi Sport (@audisport) on Sep 8, 2017 at 1:30 PDT

The Audi R8 V10 RWS will be available in Germany and other European countries starting this autumn, with a coupé price of €165,500 and the Spyder from €180,250.