Rear-drive Audi R8 to join full-time line-up in Oz

It was supposed to be a short-lived bit of fun, but the rear-wheel drive layout in the limited-edition Audi R8 has proven so popular that it will join the line-up full-time.

Launched in 2018 as the Audi R8 V10 RWS (Rear Wheel Series), the special-edition V10 sports car has now become the R8 V10 RWD (Rear Wheel Drive), retaining the same 397kW power output as the original version.

While the R8 V10 RWS was limited to just 999 units, the new RWD version will be a full-line model in both coupe and spider versions, joining the facelifted model range launched in Europe in December 2018.

That means it will be a permanent part of the facelifted Audi R8 line-up when it finally arrives in Australia in mid-2020.

Further afield, Audi’s mid-engined V10 supercar is expected to run until 2023 when it’s replaced by an all-new Audi flagship sports car that will bring electrification and could drop the R8 name used by the original of 2007 and the second generation of 2016.

Like the RWS, the RWD is 50kg lighter than the standard R8, at 1590kg (or 1665kg on the EC standard), with the weight savings mostly coming from dumping the front driveshaft, differential and centre differential.

“We launched a limited series of the Audi R8 V10 RWS at the beginning of 2018,” Audi Sport managing director Oliver Hoffmann, explained.

“Its rear-wheel drive derived from the R8-LMS racing car, and the special dynamics sparked our customers’ enthusiasm right away.

“Now it will become part of the R8 family as a separate model, the R8 V10 RWD. And we are giving it the same sharp look as the new R8 quattro models.

“At the same time as we are releasing the series production model, we are also offering the R8 LMS GT4 racing car with a new look.”

Along with its two oval tailpipes, large rear diffuser and wider grille, the R8 V10 AWD scores a glossy black top section for its sideblade air intake, while the bottom section remains body coloured.

The engine remains slightly detuned, with its peak torque of 540Nm torque peak arriving at 6500rpm.

There’s a seven-speed dual clutch transmission to transfer the performance to a mechanically locking rear differential.

Audi claims the rear-driver will run to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds, powering on to a 305km/h top speed.

It will retain electronic stabilisation skid-control, plus 245/35 front tyres and 295/35 rears on their 20-inch rims.

Losing the front diff makes it 65kg lighter as a coupe and 55kg lighter as a convertible, thanks in part to the omission of the propeller shaft, the quattro multi-plate clutches and front axle differential.

Like all R8 models, it features an Audi Space Frame (ASF) body made of aluminium but also incorporating significant carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) content.

The R8 V10 RWD is produced, largely by hand, at Audi’s Böllinger Höfe production facility in Neckarsulm.