2023 Audi R8 Coupé V10 performance RWD Released, Will Be The Last of Its Kind

With the death of the internal combustion engine closing in, Audi is keen on sending it off in style. The R8 Coupé V10 performance RWD, their latest flagship supercar, will be packed with state-of-the-art technologies and even more power.

Not only does it gain rear-wheel drive technological know-hows derived from Audi’s LMS GT4 race car, it also stands to benefit from a power bump of about 30 horsepower and 10 Nm, bringing the final figures to a whopping 570 horses and 550 Nm of torque. Power comes from its 5.2-litre V10 FSI naturally-aspirated heart, sent through the fast-shifting seven-speed S Tronic gearbox to the rear wheels.

The supercar comes equipped with a mechanical limited slip differential to ensure optimum traction even in adverse conditions. And with most of the car being made up of aluminium and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), the R8 V10 weighs in at just 1,590 kilograms.

According to Audi, the R8 V10 Performance RWD is capable of clocking 0-100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, and reach a top speed of 329 km/h.

Audi has blessed their R8 V10 Performance RWD with electromechanical power steering for more direct contact with the road surface. It also benefits from an all-new dynamic steering system, which offers highly precise response and feedback to the driver, especially along twisty roads. This system additionalyenhances driving comfort, according to the automaker, as steering effort is reduced. In low-speed situations like parking and manouevring, this comes in especially handy. 

The R8’s pièce de résistance, however, is when Sport mode is activated in the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC). The suspension setup and driving control systems, which have been adapted for RWD, can now allow the car to execute controlled drifts.

The sports suspension features double wishbones and a passive differential lock, and has an axle load distribution of 40:60. Audi’s also fitted the R8 with lightweight 20-inch cast aluminium wheels to ensure precise handling at high speeds and during fast cornering manoeuvres. Offered as standard are Cup tyres with the sizes 245/30 R20 at the front and 305/30 R20 at the rear, delivering high levels of grip and dynamic driving performance.

Inspired by its GT4 touring car siblings, the R8 V10 Performance RWD features prominent design elements, such as the wide and flat Singleframe radiator grille in matte black with the R8 emblem surrounded by large air intakes, the front splitter, the air outlet grille at the rear, as well as the oval rear tailpipes.

As a nod to its racing heritage, the R8 also has an air slit under the front hood, a tribute to the legendary Audi Sport quattro. The supercar will come in 10 different colours, including Ascari Blue Metallic, a colour previously reserved for the R8 V10 performance quattro.

Inside, the R8 features the “monoposto” - a large, sharply contoured arch running around the area in front of the driver’s seat, resembling somewhat of a race car cockpit. It surrounds the Audi virtual cockpit with a large 12.3-inch display built into a freestanding housing. The driver and passenger settle into newly available R8 bucket or sport seats. To further distinguish this from its quattro predecessor, a plaque with the words RWD is emblazoned in front of the passenger seat.

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