Forgoing all-wheel drive subtracts more than $25,000
Audi recently whetted our appetite for its first rear-drive car ever when it revealed the 2018 R8 RWS at last year’s Frankfurt show. But the Germans didn’t share exactly when the 320 bound-for-the-U.S. examples would arrive or how dear the price would be.
While we’re still at “later this year” for the arrival time, Audi has announced that the R8 RWS will start at $139,950 including destination—a whopping $26,200 less than the $166,150 entry fee for the regular R8 V10 and an even more massive $55,700 lower than the $195,650 starting price of the R8 V10 Plus.
The automaker claims that the 3,505-pound R8 RWS will hit 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, which is 0.2 second slower than the R8 V10. In exchange for slightly less performance off the line due to the lack of all-wheel drive, you get a 10-percent stiffer front anti-roll bar, half a degree of negative camber in the back, and weight savings of 110 pounds.
Additionally, you get the satisfaction of driving a rear-drive, mid-engine supercar and enough money left over to buy a Volkswagen GTI—or a Ford Shelby GT350 for those previously eyeing the V10 Plus—as well.
Source: Audi