The Audi R8 has had rear-wheel-drive models in the past, but they were limited-production examples or race cars. Today the company announced an Audi R8 RWD model and it’s just a normal part of the R8 lineup. That’s great... but is it only... the beginning?

This is not unlike the time that Lamborghini sold a RWD Gallardo first as a series of special editions like the Balboni and then as a mainstream 550-2 version, lighter and cheaper than the normal Gallardo with all-wheel-drive. That was, of course, a decade or so ago, but I won’t be mad at another Volkswagen Group V10 sports car with power only going to the rear axle.

In the case of the Audi R8 RWD, you get a 5.2-liter V10, naturally-aspirated, with 532 horsepower pushing 143 fewer pounds than the AWD version, thanks to not having a front diff or front axles. Nice.

Friends, it's time to bid farewell to the entry-level Audi R8. On Thursday, the German brand announced the R8 V10 Quattro will depart us, but before it goes, the company will build 30 special edition cars to show its appreciation.

The special R8 doesn't have a name to go with it, just "limited edition." And limited it is. The 30 cars will feature Audi's "alu-optic" trim on the side mirrors and carbon-fiber-dipped lower exterior trim, engine compartment and side blades. Audi plans to build 15 of them in blue, 5 in silver and 5 in green. Another 5 R8 V10 Quattro Spyder models make up the 30 cars, and they'll each be blue. Each exterior color gets a different interior color palette as well. To cap off the special treatment, the 20-inch milled wheels feature a silver finish -- the first time Audi's ever offered the wheels with such a finish in the US.

There's a touch of mechanical love to the R8 V10 Quattro as well. Each car gets a carbon-fiber front sway bar, which is typically reserved for the R8 V10 Performance. It shaves 4.4 pounds from the supercar. The Performance's model's sport exhaust system is also standard to amplify the engine's roar.

And of course, the 5.2-liter V10 engine sans turbocharging is present with 562 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Power flows through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels, hence the Quattro naming.

While the R8 V10 Quattro will die, the mentioned V10 Performance model will stick around still. It makes even more power from the same engine -- 610 hp. We could also still see Audi bring the R8 RWD to the US. Last year, it revealed a rear-wheel drive model for Europe but never solidified plans for the US. Perhaps with the Quattro leaving, it opens the door for the purer supercar to come. Prices for the limited edition cars start at $186,000 for the coupe and $195,900 for the Spyder before a destination charge.

The 2021 Audi R8 has a special edition coming to America, and it’s as cool as it sounds; introducing the ‘Panther Edition’.

The 2021 Audi R8 Panther Edition comes fully emblazoned in a special black crystal effect paint scheme that gives the impression of a true black car, with it completely transforming to a deep purple color as you approach the car at closer distances. This amazing transitional paint job is complemented by its 20″ matte black rims that have been given the whole “Dark Spiderman” overhaul thanks to its thin red lines that have been painted over the exotic low-profile rim spokes.

This special edition also comes completely decked out in carbon fiber bits. The exterior of the car sees a full carbon package (sigma sideblades and trim equipped throughout the engine bay), and even the rearview mirrors get capped in high-performance carbon.

This car will feature the same 5.2L V8 found in the rest of the R8s giving this car a stat sheet of 523 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that this car will be limited to a total of 30 production units. #rare.. If you’re interested in buying one of these R8’s, pricing will start at around $180,000 and it will only be available in America.

Updated Audi R8 model line delivers a fresh exterior design. The updated front bumper includes a honeycomb grille with R8 badge, front spoiler lip, and lateral air intakes. The updated rear bumper continues with honeycomb air outlets, oval exhaust pipes, and a new rear diffuser. The headlights have also been darkened, and the rocker panel has been redesigned and includes an inlay.

V10 performance models come standard with 20-inch 5-double-spoke-dynamic design milled and forged wheels in titanium finish, with an option to change the color to anthracite finish. The ceramic brakes on the V10 performance models are also available in red along with the standard gray.

Sporty race features continue inside, where the driver-oriented interior features standard Audi virtual cockpit with Sport mode, MMI navigation plus, LED interior lighting and Bang & Olufsen® Sound System with 13 speakers.

Performance

Featuring the same naturally aspirated V10 engine found in the R8 LMS racecar, quattro® all-wheel drive, and a functional yet technologically advanced cabin, the R8 is the pinnacle of performance for Audi, with no other model bearing a closer tie to racing. Featuring a seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch transmission, which can shift gears in as little as 120 ms, the R8 V10 performance Coupe RWD achieves 562 horsepower and reaches 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and top track speed of 204 mph. The R8 V10 performance Coupe maintains 602 horsepower and catapults from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds.

Twelve years after the premiere of the first Audi R8 GT, Audi Sport GmbH is launching the second edition of this exclusive super sports car: the new Audi R8 Coupe V10 GT RWD. The 5.2 liter, naturally aspirated V10 engine's output has increased to 602 horsepower making it the most powerful rear-wheel drive unit in the history of the brand. A new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for faster shifts and the new Torque Rear driving mode allows drivers to choose their own level of ESC support. This enables controlled and simultaneously precise oversteering. The seven-stage torque rear can be adjusted via the control knob on the steering wheel. The new R8 GT is limited to 333 units worldwide. New and exclusive exterior and interior features pay homage to the first generation of the R8 GT. These include, for example, sequential numbering, special light alloy wheels, and an interior in a combination of black and red. The new Audi R8 GT will be available at dealerships starting in 2023. U.S.

The R8 GT Says Goodbye to the V10 Engine

Compared with the R8 V10 performance RWD with 562 HP, which forms the basis for the second edition of the R8 GT, Audi Sport GmbH is increasing the performance of the special model in order to bring it up to the same level as the quattro model. Specifically, this means: 602 HP from 10 cylinders, 5.2 liters of displacement, and 413 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the new R8 GT accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds, reaches the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark in just 10.1 seconds, and reaches a top track speed of up to 320 km/h (199 mph).

Another decisive difference: a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with even faster shift times. Thanks to an altered gear ratio and the associated higher speed, the new gearbox allows even more impressive acceleration in all gears. Apart from that, there is an exclusive design feature for the R8 GT only: the intake manifold is painted in black.

New Torque Rear Drive Mode

For the first time, Audi Sport GmbH, which manufactures the new R8 GT largely by hand at Böllinger Höfe, is offering Torque Rear mode. Slippage is controlled on the rear axle by

the traction control system (ASR), which is part of the ESC. Seven characteristic curves are stored in the ASR, offering different levels of support. Level 1 allows little slippage, while level 7 allows a lot of slippage. The desired torque rear level can be set by turning the control knob on the steering wheel. This function also enables a different adaptation as driving skills and road conditions develop on a track. Depending on this progression and also taking into account information from wheel speed sensors, steering angle, accelerator pedal position, and the selected gear - the engine control unit measures engine power on the rear axle.

Less Is More

Compared with the R8 Coupé V10 performance RWD, various measures resulted in a weight reduction of around 20 kilograms (44 lb.) to a total of 1570 kilograms (3,461 lb.) (without driver). The exclusive 20 inch, 10-spoke wheels, are combined with high-performance Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires, designed for road and racetrack use, play a key role in reducing weight. The lightweight forged wheels are based on Audi's motorsport vehicles. The extremely powerful ceramic braking system, which is standard equipment in the R8 GT, saves additional weight. In addition, there are R8 bucket seats and the performance sports suspension with the CFRP anti-roll bar. The front anti-roll bar is made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Together with the two coupling rod connections made of red anodized aluminum, which reduces weight and increases road-holding and cornering dynamics.

A Look to Fit Its Status

To differentiate the new Audi R8 GT from its relatives, the special model is equipped with exclusive add-on parts. The first distinguishing feature is the black 'R8 GT' lettering on the rear. All other emblems are in black. With the Carbon Aerokit in high gloss, which was developed in the wind tunnel, the package generates better stability on the road, and therefore also faster cornering speeds. In total, the Carbon Aerokit consists of the following attachments: front splitter, flics, side skirt covers, cW-elements on the sides of the rear bumper, a diffuser, and a rear wing with gooseneck suspension. This insert ensures optimum wing underflow and thus improves aerodynamic efficiency.

In the interiors, Audi Sport GmbH continues its homage to the first R8 GT from 2010. The interior is crafted in a combination of black and red. This includes red belts - only available in the R8 GT from 12 years ago. The floor mats and the R8 bucket seats feature the lettering of the special model in black and red. One highlight: Customers can find the sequential numbering of their R8 GT in the middle of the center console next to the gear selector lever, partially matted in the carbon inlay.