The R8 RWS is Coming to America

Joy of joys! The US will not be excluded from partaking in Audi’s first rear-wheel-drive super car, the R8 RWS (Rear Wheel Series).

Confirmation comes today from Audi spokesperson Mark Dahncke, who added that the RWS would be coming in 2018.

Audi Sport unveiled the two wheel drive R8 earlier this week at the Frankfurt motor show. Stephan Winkelmann, Audi Sport CEO, called it a rawer car for “purists.” With two fewer driven wheels, smaller front wheels, and a number of other weight savings, the RWS will be a lighter, meaner R8.

Still propelled by Audi’s excellent naturally aspirated, 5.2 liter V10, the RWS will get the same 540 hp as the standard R8 (though not the 610 hp of the V10 Plus). Thanks to the lack of front wheel drive, and all the associated equipment, the RWS will weigh 110 lbs less than the standard R8.

The result is still a net loss in acceleration speed (albeit only by 0.2 seconds), but a freer rear end and less weight dragging you off the apex.

Production will be limited to just 999 examples in both Coupe and Spyder configuration and we will know it by the optional red stripe that starts on the left in the front crosses over to the right side by the time it reaches the rear (among other, subtler differences).

“The R8 V10 RWS is made for purists,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH, at the launch. “A limited-edition special model for customers with an appreciation for essential driving enjoyment, the R8 V10 RWS is an absolutely exclusive offer. With its mid-mounted V10 engine and rear-wheel drive, it successfully brings the driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets.”

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