2022 Audi R8 V10 performance RWD [UK]

Even more power and driving enjoyment - that's what the word "performance" stands for at Audi Sport. The new R8 V10 performance RWD is available as both a Coupé and Spyder with 30 PS more and joins the R8 V10 performance quattro in the R8 lineup. The rear-wheel drive mid-engine sports car offers driving thrills with a whopping 419 kW (570 PS) 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 new 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 V10 RWD immediately wowed our customers. Now it is being launched with 30 PS 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 (3.8 seconds for the Spyder) and reaches a top speed of 329 km/h (327 km/h for the Spyder). 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 (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 13.0 - 12.9; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 298 - 294), the engine delivers 419 kW (570 PS) and a maximum of 550 newton meters of torque, which is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed S tronic transmission. That's 10 newton meters more torque than the Audi R8 V10 RWD. 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 aluminum and, to a large extent, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design. As a result, the Coupé version of the R8 V10 performance RWD weighs just 1590 kilograms, the Spyder version 1695 kilograms.

The ENGINE: legendary ten-cylinder on the road and the racetrack

The Audi R8's ten-cylinder engine has long since achieved cult status and is one of the last naturally aspirated engines in its segment. Countless racing victories and strong performance in day-to-day use speak for themselves. The 5.2 FSI brings the car's racing genes to life and has been given a further 30 PS boost in the R8 V10 performance RWD and now generates an additional 10 Nm of torque at 550 Nm. The high-performance engine made its debut on the race track in GT3 racing in the Audi R8 LMS in 2009. The R8 LMS ultra followed in 2012. Finally, the second-generation R8 LMS came on the market in 2015 and received a comprehensive upgrade in the fall of 2018. The R8 LMS GT4 has expanded Audi Sport's customer racing lineup since the beginning of 2018. In both GT categories, the 5.2 FSI only differs slightly from the standard engine. It forgoes dual injection, the intake system features an air restrictor, and the control unit's maps and bearing shells have been modified. With a service interval of 10,000 kilometers and a mileage of 20,000 kilometers until the first inspection, the 5.2 FSI sets standards in racing.

The EXTERIOR DESIGN: expressive and inspired by racing

A passenger compartment positioned far forward, accentuated wheel arches, a wheelbase of 2.65 meters, and a long back - no other production model from Audi is conceptually and visually closer to a race car than the 4.43-meter-long R8. Designed using the Audi Space Frame (ASF) construction method, the body lays the foundation for the Audi R8's consistent lightweight design concept. Horizontal lines give the front of the high-performance sports car its ultra-wide look. The wide and flat Singleframe radiator grille features a matte black finish and bears the R8 emblem. Above the wide front splitter are the large air intakes that are divided into two sections by distinctive vertical winglets. Flat slits under the front hood are reminiscent of the brand's iconic Audi Sport quattro. LED headlights with 37 LEDs each are equipped standard and partially dimmed. The Audi laser light, which nearly doubles the range of the high beam, is optionally available; a blue LED makes it visible from the outside. The laser light is combined with the dynamic turn signals in the front.

The INTERIOR: focused on the essentials

The sleek lines of the new R8 V10 performance RWD also dominate the interior. Its most striking element is the monoposto. The large, contoured arch runs around the area in front of the driver's seat, creating the atmosphere of a race car cockpit. A freestanding housing houses the Audi virtual cockpit, and the entire instrument panel appears slim and light. The comfort air conditioning system's control knobs are visually inspired by aircraft turbines, while the air vents, with their vertical slats, are reminiscent of race cars. In the Audi R8 V10 performance RWD, the driver and front passenger sit on electrically and pneumatically adjustable and heated sport seats. The R8 V10 performance RWD comes equipped with bucket seats with electric height adjustment and manual forward/backward adjustment. The pedals and footrest in this model are made of stainless steel, while the trim is made of carbon fiber. A total of 226 liters of storage space is available behind the seats. It complements the 112-liter luggage compartment under the front hood.