Daily Slideshow: 2018 R8 Rear Wheel Series is for Purists
We hope it won't be long before you'll see one of these special Audis drifting around a corner near you!
Not Just a One-Trick Pony
Audi is a brand that built its reputation on amazingly successful all-wheel-drive systems. To the point where everyone in the world knows what Quattro means, regardless of what language you speak. Heck, Quattro became such an important part of the automaker's success that they named their entire performance division after it. But true Audi aficionados know that the company isn't just about all-wheel drive.
>>Join the conversation about the Rear Wheel Drive R8 right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
The Time for RWS Is Now!
After all, Audi has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a total of 13 times since 2000 with rear-wheel or part-time hybrid all-wheel-drive cars. A rear-wheel drive R8 is already racing in GT3, and soon it will be in GT4. And yet, until now, it has made exactly zero rear-wheel-drive vehicles for the public in that span of time. Until now, because now you can buy the glorious R8 RWS, thanks to Audi Sport GmbH.
>>Join the conversation about the Rear Wheel Drive R8 right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
Made for Purists
As you might've guessed by now, the R8 RWS is a road-going homage of sorts to the R8 GT3 and GT4. Put simply by Audi Sport boss Stephan Winkelmann, it's "made for purists." And what's purer in the world of sports cars than rear-wheel drive? The RWS comes packing the same 540 hp V10 and 7-speed dual clutch gearbox as the regular R8, but sadly, there's no R8 Plus option.
>>Join the conversation about the Rear Wheel Drive R8 right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
Now with Less Weight!
The upside to ditching the Quattro system, of course, is that the RWS sheds weight in the process - 110 pounds, to be exact (88 for the Spyder). But that doesn't completely compensate for the lack of grip, however. The R8 RWS coupe takes 3.7 seconds to hit 60, the Spyder 3.8. Which is just a tick slower than their all-wheel-drive counterparts. But it's enough to make a race between the two more of a driver skill challenge.
>>Join the conversation about the Rear Wheel Drive R8 right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
But Will It Drift?
The biggest difference (other than the drive type) between the R8 and R8 RWS, however, is the operation of the driving modes. Putting the RWS in Dynamic Mode and flipping the ESC to Sport allows you to do awesome controlled slides. Essentially like some sort of Drift Mode. Audi does say that the system will "intervene reliably at the limit," but this is still great news for enthusiasts. Other than watching one do a controlled drift around your neighborhood corner, you can spot an RWS by its matte black grille, gloss black side blade, and body color lower blade, as well as that large red stripe. Only 999 in total will be built (coupe and Spyder), with U.S. deliveries beginning this year.
>>Join the conversation about the Rear Wheel Drive R8 right here in the AudiWorld Forum!
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.