Even more power and driving enjoyment – that’s what the word “performance” stands for at Audi Sport. With Audi’s commitment to an all-electric production line by 2026, the new R8 Coupé V10 performance RWD flagship will be the last of its kind. The rear-wheel drive mid-engine sports car – now with 30 hp more – offers driving thrills with a whopping 419 kW (570 hp) and gains new technology highlights such as bucket seats, dynamic steering, CFRP stabilizer, and ceramic brakes.
The Audi R8 V10 performance RWD (rear wheel drive) is the latest high-performance flagship among Audi’s production sports cars with rear-wheel drive. “With its rear-wheel drive derived from the LMS GT4 race car and its unfiltered dynamic performance, the Audi R8 Coupé V10 RWD immediately wowed our customers. Now it is being launched with 30 hp and 10 Nm more, taking driving enjoyment to a whole new level,” said Sebastian Grams, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH.
Top speed of 329 km/h
The mid-engine sports car catapults itself and the driver from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 329 km/h. At the heart of the new R8 is the familiar naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 FSI engine with its incomparable sound, lightning-fast response, and immense accelerating power. In the R8 V10 performance RWD, the engine delivers 419 kW (570 hp) and a maximum of 550 newton meters of torque, which is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed S tronic transmission. A mechanical limited-slip differential distributes the drive torque to match the driving situation, ensuring that the car has optimum traction, even on wet roads. As with all R8s, its body is built out of aluminium and, to a large extent, carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design. As a result, the Coupé version of the R8 V10 performance RWD weighs just 1 590 kilograms.
Controlled drifts possible
The suspension and driving dynamics are specially adapted to the rear-wheel drive. When Sport mode is activated in the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), the suspension setup and control systems make controlled drifts possible. The electromechanical power steering provides a feeling of direct contact with the road surface. The dynamic steering system, available for the first time for the rear-wheel-drive R8, also offers even more precise response and feedback. It enhances driving dynamics by providing more direct steering response, for example on winding country roads or when turning. It also enhances driving comfort thanks to reduced steering effort, for example when parking and manoeuvring.
The RWD sports suspension is specially adapted to the rear-wheel drive and features double wishbones and a passive differential lock. The axle load distribution is 40:60. Particularly lightweight 20-inch cast aluminium wheels ensure that the sports car handles precisely and stays on track during fast cornering manoeuvres. Cup tyres with the sizes
245/30 R20 at the front and 305/30 R20 at the rear are offered as standard, delivering even more grip and dynamic driving performance.
Familiar design features from the Audi R8 V10 performance quattro
The sporty, aggressive design is based on its GT4 siblings. These include the wide and flat Singleframe radiator grille in matte black with the R8 emblem surrounded by large air intakes, the front splitter, and the air outlet grille at the rear, as well as the oval tailpipes. The air slit under the front hood is reminiscent of the legendary Audi Sport quattro. The new R8 is available in a total of ten colours. This also includes Ascari Blue Metallic, a colour previously reserved for the R8 V10 performance quattro.
Race car atmosphere in the interior
The sleek lines also dominate the interior. The most striking element is the “monoposto” – the large, sharply contoured arch runs around the area in front of the driver’s seat, creating the atmosphere of a race car cockpit. The “monoposto” surrounds the Audi virtual cockpit with its 12.3-inch display built into a freestanding housing. The driver and passenger settle into newly available R8 bucket or sport seats. A plaque with the words RWD is emblazoned in front of the passenger seat.
Market launch
The Audi R8 Coupé V10 performance RWD is available at the Audi Centre Singapore, with pricing starting from $ 771,036. The price indicated is inclusive of VES and COE, and are only accurate at the time of this release. Please visit https://www.audi.com.sg/ for the most updated price.
About Author
