2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS First Look: Frankfurt Auto Show
Edmunds 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS debut from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Senior Writer Mark Takahashi checks out the 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS, Audi's new rear-wheel-drive version of the sports car, which will be available as a coupe or convertible. Like the regular R8, it has the seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the 540-horsepower V10. But with rear-wheel drive instead of AWD, it has the potential to get really squirrelly and really fun. Watch the video for more on Audi's new rear-wheel-drive R8.
Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING] MARK TAKAHASHI: Hey, everybody, here's an easy one. What's got two thumbs, loves a mid engine rear wheel drive sports car? This guy. Right behind here is the all new 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS. RW stands for rear wheel. That's right, it's rear wheel drive. What does that mean? Well, the regular R8 is really insanely capable when it comes to handling. This is rear wheel drive, so that means it's going to get really squirrely. By really squirrely, I mean really fun. So think of it almost like the Valentino Balboni edition that Lamborghini put out. Where it's really meant to get tail happy and drifty. I can't wait to drive it, I hope I do. But it's not going to be that easy, and I'll get to that later. So this version, it's going to be available as either coupe or convertible. And it's going to have the 540 horsepower V10 that's in the regular R8. Now there's no word if it's actually going to get the V10 plus, which has 610 horsepower. I mean, that'd be excessive, right? Like the other R8s, this has a seven speed dual clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. And I got to drive it last year sometime. And it was an insane blast. Man, is this car good. On top of that, since there's no front wheel drive mechanics going on underneath, it's also 110 pounds lighter. And that's 110 pounds lighter in the nose. So that means the balance is being shifted further back for even more tail happy fun. Now visually, the differences, they're pretty slight. The slide blade that's kind of been an R8 trademark since the beginning, it's body colored on the bottom, gloss black on top. And that kind of echoes their LMS race car. Very cool. Also, that red stripe there, it's an option. I kind of like it though. So there's going to be 999 versions available worldwide and that's it. About a third of them, they're going to come to the US. Prices? We'll see. It should be hitting Europe sometime this fall. US, it'll follow a couple of months later. So the beginning of 2018. So for more information on this R8 as well as any of the R8s and its competition, head on over to edmunds.com. If you want to see more videos like this, hit subscribe and check out all of our other videos. [MUSIC PLAYING]
Audi's 2018 R8 exotic sports car is one of the most distinctive-looking cars on the road. Considering the car's heritage, though, it shouldn't come as a surprise. The Audi R8 is related to the Lamborghini Huracan and shares a common body structure and a high-revving 5.2-liter V10. Both come only with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. While the Huracan is available in rear-wheel drive, the R8 is all-wheel-drive only.
The R8 comes in two body styles, a couple and a convertible, and two trim levels, V10 and V10 Plus (coupe only). The base V10 edition's engine is rated at 540 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, while the power behind the V10 Plus is boosted to 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. The mightier engine vaults the R8 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds; the base version is just a bit behind at 3.5 seconds.
The 2018 Audi R8 is a beacon of modern design, from the available laser-assisted LED headlights to the interior fitted with Audi's Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster. This 12.3-inch display screen in front of the driver shows a virtual analog speedometer and tachometer, with infotainment functions displayed between those gauges. This eliminates the need for a display in the middle of the dashboard and gives the R8's cockpit a streamlined, focused atmosphere, without the visual distraction of that commonplace LCD screen.
Standard feature highlights include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, adaptive suspension dampers, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, Audi's MMI infotainment interface, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system. Notable options include different leather upholstery, carbon-ceramic brakes, laser-enhanced LED headlights and variable ratio steering. Besides its extra power, the Pluscoupe has a more stiffly tuned suspension that lacks the adjustable dampers. In the name of saving weight, it also has a slightly smaller gas tank, a five-speaker sound system and racing-style seats that lack backrest-angle adjustment.
What is surprisingly missing for such a high-end model, however, are increasingly common advanced safety technologies such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation with automatic braking. But we're guessing that with one full-throttle blast of the V10 engine, you're not going to be too worried about that. Use the additional information on Edmunds to help you find the perfect 2018 Audi R8.
2018 Audi R8 Overview
The 2018 Audi R8 is offered in the following submodels: Coupe, Convertible. Available styles include V10 quattro Spyder 2dr Convertible AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), V10 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), and V10 plus quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM). R8 models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The 2018 R8 comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 7-speed automated manual. The 2018 R8 comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 4 yr./ unlimited mi. roadside warranty, and a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. powertrain warranty.
Is the 2018 Audi R8 a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Audi R8 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 R8 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How can Edmunds help? Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
MPG
2018 audi r8 V10 quattro Spyder 2dr Convertible AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), 7-speed automated manual, premium unleaded (required) 17 combined MPG 14 city MPG/22 highway MPG
2018 audi r8 V10 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), 7-speed automated manual, premium unleaded (required) 17 combined MPG 14 city MPG/22 highway MPG
2018 audi r8 V10 plus quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), 7-speed automated manual, premium unleaded (required) 17 combined MPG 14 city MPG/22 highway MPG
What options are available on the 2018 Audi R8?
Available Audi R8 2018 Submodel Types: Coupe, Convertible
Available Audi R8 2018 Trims: quattro, 4.2 quattro, V10 quattro, 5.2 quattro, 5.2 quattro Spyder, V10 plus quattro, V10 quattro Spyder, V8 quattro, V8 quattro Spyder
Exterior Colors: Daytona Gray Pearl Effect, Ibis White, Phantom Black Pearl Effect, Florett Silver Metallic, Mythos Black Metallic, Suzuka Gray Metallic
Interior Colors: Black premium leather, Black leather/sueded microfiber, Black/Express Red Stitching premium leather, Black Fine w/Dark Silver Stitching premium leather, Luxor Beige premium leather, Red premium leather
Popular Features: AWD/4WD, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Heated seats, Post-collision safety system, Power Driver Seat, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Upgraded Headlights, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, Navigation, Back-up camera, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Leather Seats, Parking sensors, USB Inputs, Keyless Entry/Start, Mobile Internet, Soft Top, Upgraded Stereo
Engine/Mechanics: 8, 10 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATED_MANUAL, MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (required)
Drivetrains: all wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
