2nd Audi R8 RWS
The first two-wheel-drive R8 is an impressive sports car, but just falls short in this shootout
THE R8 RWS makes history, because it’s the first ever rear-driven series production Audi, which is a big thing from a firm that’s built its reputation on four-wheel drive. But we know from the regular R8 and R8 Plus that Audi Sport knows how to do mid-engined sports cars, and the RWS’S spec is equally mouth-watering.
Shorn of its centre and front differentials, as well as the front driveshafts, the RWS weighs 50kg less than the standard car, while it uses the same 533bhp naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Despite only the rear axle transmitting that power and 540Nm of torque to the road, thanks to launch control in tricky wet conditions, the Audi still rocketed from 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds. It’s a glorious engine, while the gearbox delivers rapid upshifts with little fuss and an addictive, perfectly matched blip on the way down the ratios.
Both cars offer startling low-gear acceleration and were evenly matched on test. But longer gearing meant the R8 wasn’t quite as quick in the higher ratios, despite its power and torque advantage. It took 7.6 seconds to go from 50 to 70mph; the 911 was two seconds faster.
Outright straight-line ferocity isn’t what this pair is necessarily about, though. Audi has fashioned this model as a pure driver’s car, but it’s not quite there on that front. While the lower kerbweight does help boost agility a little, the quick steering still lacks the ultimate level of detail and feedback you get from the GT3.
Without the four-wheel-drive hardware to redirect power to the front and keep the nose in check, there’s marginally more understeer, too. This can be counteracted easily by flexing your right foot to call on the V10’s torque and bring the rear axle into play, but if you do, be on your game, because the RWS slides predictably but quickly. We’d like a little more adjustability in the chassis, given the car’s mission statement.
Still, there are no complaints with the ride. For a low-slung sports car the R8 tracks over rough roads with a welcome level of forgiveness and finesse. Body control is strong, too. But Audi’s adaptive dampers aren’t available as the RWS has a specific set-up, and you notice this occasionally.
At the very limit the chassis control just becomes a little blurry where the GT3’S stays resolutely composed. Still, this edge of usability is welcome, and with a hi-tech cabin (where visibility is, unsurprisingly, limited), you could use the R8 daily, even if few owners actually will.