Audi R8 V10 RWS is coming to the US at starting price of $139,950

Audi opened the order books for the Audi R8 V10 RWS ((Rear Wheel Series) in fall 2017 in Europe, with the model already arriving in dealership earlier this year. At the time it was unveiled, it was still unsure whether Audi is bring the new R8 V10 RWS to the United States. Now, the premium carmaker is indeed bringing the R8 V10 RWS, at a hefty starting price of $139,950 each, Motor Trend says citing its own source.

At this pricing, the Audi R8 V10 RWS – the carmaker’s first-ever production and street-legal rear-wheel-drive R8 model – is around $26,000 cheaper than the Quattro model. However, those who are interested in acquiring this edition of the R8 should remain always alert as to when it would arrive in the US, because only 320 examples are allocated for this market. While Audi didn’t give an official date for the arrival of the R8 V10 RWS in the US, it is expected that this would occur in the last quarter of the year.

The German carmaker only needed to get rid of the Quattro all-wheel-drive system to pave way to the RWD layout, thereby giving birth to the R8 V10 RWS. However, its powerful naturally aspirated V10 remains the same. The removal of the Quattro allowed the R8 V10 RWS to trim its weight by as much as 50 kg (110 pounds) for the Coupe model, and around 40 kg (88 lbs.) for the Spyder variant.

R8 V10 RWS Coupe weighs 1,509 kg. (3,505.3 lbs.), while Spyder version tips the scale at 1,680 kg. (3,703.8 lb) (without driver). The R8 V10 RWS Coupe and Spyder have axle load distribution ratios of 40.6:59.4 and 40.4:59.6, respectively.

Serving as the heart of the Audi R8 V10 RWS is a mid-mounted 5.2-liter FSI V10 engine that delivers 397 kW (540 hp) of max output and 540 Nm (398.3 lb.-ft.) of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. With this power on hand, the R8 V10 RWS Coupe could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.7 seconds, while the Spyder could complete this sprint in 3.8 seconds. Top speeds for the R8 V10 RWS models are 320 km/h (198.8 mph) for the Coupe and 318 km/h (197.6 mph) for the Spyder.

The dynamic and puristic appearance of the new R8 V10 RWS is emphasized by its matt black grille of the Singleframe and the matt black air openings at its front and rear sections. While the upper sideblade of the Coupé version is finished in gloss black, its lower blade is painted in the body color. The Coupé version could be specified an optional red film running over the hood, roof and rear end. The new R8 V10 RWS rides on black-finished, 19-inch, cast aluminum wheels with a five-spoke V-design, as shod with 245/35 front tires and 295/35 rear rubbers